Brody summoned his butler as soon as Ramsgate was gone. “Did my brother say where he was going tonight?”
“I’m afraid not.”
No chance of trying to find him and drag him home by his ear. “Please tell him to come and see me as soon as he returns. There’s a matter he and I need to discuss.”
Brody glanced at the clock. It was already nine. Given the fact that he was meant to start work at eight, he’d hoped to be on his way upstairs by now. Annoyed with Finn for causing such senseless trouble, he crossed to the sideboard instead and re-filled his glass.
It was almost one by the time he heard the front door. Having found a book with which to pass the time, Brody set it aside and waited for Finn to appear. He did so soon enough and was wearing the sort of wide grin that suggested he’d had a spectacular evening.
“Didn’t expect to see you up at this hour,” Finn said. He sauntered into the room and collapsed in the chair Ramsgate had used earlier. “But I’m glad you are since I no longer have to wait for tomorrow to tell you I’ve fallen in love.”
Brody gnashed his teeth. “I only stayed up because there’s an urgent matter we need to discuss.”
“Miss Vaughn is the loveliest lady you’ll ever meet.”
“The Marquess of Ramsgate came to call a few hours ago,” Brody said, his voice stiff as he leaned forward in his seat and pierced his brother with a hard glare. “I hear he’s challenged you to a duel, Finn. Because you couldn’t refrain from kissing his daughter in public.”
“Well I—”
“How could you neglect to tell me this?”
Finn scratched his head and looked slightly sheepish. “Um….”
His blasé attitude only infuriated Brody more. “What the hell were you thinking?”
“I must confess I wasn’t,” Finn said, scratching his head in a sort of bemused way that only made Brody angrier. “She looked so pretty in the moonlight. I simply couldn’t resist.”
Brody stared at him. “You couldn’t resist?”
“Afraid not.”
“She’s a marquess’s daughter,” Brody shouted, “not some trollop with whom you can have your way without consequence.”
“Sorry, Brody. I realize this may have upset your evening but—”
“Upset my evening?” Brody shot to his feet, bringing his brandy glass with him and downing the contents in one fell swoop. His blood was boiling, heating his head until he felt a violent pain taking root at the base of his skull. “You’ve ruined a young lady’s reputation.”
“I did apologize to her father at the time. Considering his response, I rather thought he’d retracted the challenge and that the entire debacle had been forgotten.”
Brody blinked. How was it possible for one person to be so bloody naïve? His own brother, no less? He returned his glass to the sideboard and shoved his hands into his pockets. “Although I did try to find another solution, marriage is out of the question. Ramsgate doesn’t believe one kiss is sufficient grounds for you to ruin his daughter’s life further.”
“Meaning?”
“He doesn’t consider you worthy of being her husband. Hence, the duel, since this is his only remaining course of action if he’s to defend her honor and put you in your place.”
This remark finally seemed to strike a chord with Finn. He straightened in his chair and positioned himself with his forearms resting upon his thighs, his attention fixed on the floor. “I’ve never been a very good shot or fencer.”
“Thankfully, it’s only to first blood. However, that doesn’t rule out a stroke of bad luck. You can still be killed, which is why I intend to get you out of the country.”
Finn’s gaze snapped to his. The somber expression he wore now suggested some common sense did exist behind his usual carefree demeanor. “Absolutely not.”
“You can go to America. Start a new life for yourself.”
“I don’t know anyone in America,” Finn complained.
“You’ll make friends in time, but at least you’ll be alive.”
“I’m sorry, Brody.” Finn stood and planted his feet apart while crossing his arms. “Leaving is out of the question. This is my home – always has been. I’ll die here if need be.”
