“Notall of them. Apparently, it doesn’t work like that. You know, Ididn’t remember Alexandra at all at first.”
Surprise filledhim. Maxim and Alexandra had been joined at the hip when they werechildren, and to see them now made it hard to believe Maxim hadever forgotten her. “Truly? You didn’t remember her?”
A slight smiletugging at his mouth, Maxim nodded. “She wasn’t too impressed withthat, but then I remembered and she, uh—” Cheeks ruddy, he clearedhis throat. “Alexandra says I might remember it all, or I mightnot. She has been in correspondence with doctors specialising in mycondition. She’s quite determined,” he said with a faintsmile.
The amusementand warmth in his brother’s voice…how was it mere months after hisreturn he’d fallen in love and married? He told himself the emotionhe felt wasn’t jealousy. “Do you remember how to play football?” hefinally asked.
Maxim grinned.“Maybe.”
“Think fast, then.” And he struck the ball at his brother,rushing after it to attempt to steal it back. Maxim blocked himwith his body, manoeuvring the ball between his feet to keep itfrom Stephen.
They jostled,each trying to take control of the ball. Stephen shouldered Maxim’schest but his brother was unyielding, absorbing the attack andkeeping the ball from Stephen’s control. A grin flashed overMaxim’s face and Stephen felt an answering one tug at him,exhilaration flooding him as he attempted another steal.
“Areyou trying to destroy my hall?”
They bothskidded to a halt. Oliver stood at the opposite end of the LongGallery, and all the enjoyment Stephen felt fled.
“Nomore than when we were boys,” Maxim said. Stephen said nothing,stilling the ball with his foot.
“Sowhat are you doing?”
“Playing football. Why areyouhere?” Maximasked.
For a longmoment, Oliver stared at them and then, averting his gaze, mumbledsomething.
“What was that?”
“There are too many people,” he said.
Stephen andMaxim exchanged a glance. Maxim laughed, and Stephen gave anunwilling smile.
“What?” Oliver demanded.
Maxim shook hishead. “It seems to be hereditary.”
Oliver lookedbetween them. “You, too?”
Still grinning,Maxim nodded. Stephen shrugged.
Oliver shoved ahand through his hair. Strands had fallen from his queue, brushinghis shoulders and speaking eloquently of his discomfort. “Christ, Ididn’t know it would be like this when Lydia said she wanted awedding here at Waithe Hall. I thought it would be our family andthe Torrences, and then maybe a dozen guests. Did you know all theavailable beds in the village are full, as is Bentley Close? Wehave twenty-four people staying here, in addition to us. Bloodyhell, people are even travelling in fromYork. It’s toomuch. Too much.” He shook his head. “I haven’t evenseenLydia in three days. I just want the wedding part over and donewith. You had the right idea, Maxim. Should have just bloodyeloped.”
“Butthe earl must have an elaborate ceremony,” Stephen said. Because ofcourse he must.
Oliver exhaled.“I don’t even care about that. I just want Lydia to be my wife. Iwant to go to sleep with her at night and wake in the morning withher in my arms. I wantourlife to start. Christ. This is anightmare.”
“Being marriedispretty excellent,” Maximsaid.
Oliver threw hima tart look. “That’s right, brother. Brag away.”
Maximsmirked.
“Right. Well. Might as well do something while we’re here.”Picking up a side table, Oliver placed it in the middle of thehall. “First one to goal gets a guinea.”
Stephen lacedhis hands and stretched. His brothers might as well give him theguinea now.
It took a momentbut for them to slip into old patterns. Oliver guarded the goal,Maxim took position between, and Stephen stood with his foot on theball, waiting for the signal to begin. Oliver shouted, “Whistle!”and the game began.
Maxim attacked,trying to force Stephen backward and in to making a mistake. Hedodged his brother, shifting the ball from one foot to the otherwith lightning speed, such that Maxim had no idea where Stephenintended to connect with the ball to drive it down the gallery.Maxim attempted a bump, but Stephen spun into it, using themomentum to outpace his brother.
