“How could you do this to your brother?”
“I didn’t. You did.”
“What?” his father asked, obviously confused.
“I didn’t die,” Lucas explained. “I know it would be more convenient if I had, but I’m afraid I couldn’t manage that. I leave it to you now to decide if I am truly to live. Nathan loves the land and its heritage more than I ever will. Perhaps you should leave me dead.”
“But you aren’t dead,” his father said. “You’re here, you breathe. I don’t care what you’ve done. You have a duty.”
And wasn’t that a cold thing for a father to say to his son? That he had a duty to live?
“Actually, I don’t,” Lucas answered. “Not when there is a spare to take my place.”
The countess pursed her lips. “Too many people saw you last night. It’s on everyone’s lips this morning.”
“I spoke to no one, confirmed nothing.”
“Actually,” Diana interrupted. “You did admit it to the constable.” For her sake. As a way to defend her from the man’s accusations.
Lucas shrugged. “The man can be bribed. Obviously.”
That much was true since Geoffrey had likely already done it.
“Nathan won’t do it,” his mother said with a sour twist to her lips. “He will not deny you.”
His father nodded agreement. “He won’t, and neither will I. You are my son. How could you think we would lie about your existence?”
Because his mother wanted to, that much was clear. His mother had given all her love to his brother and was now shattered inside at the thought that Nathan would not inherit the title. It made no sense, and yet, the reality of it was clear as day on her face.
“It’s settled,” the earl said as he pushed to his feet. “We will go now to the solicitor and inform him of the happy news.” For a man reporting “happy news,” he certainly sounded matter-of-fact about it. If anything, his expression was one of firm dedication to appropriate behavior, as there was not a hint of a smile on his face.
“You go ahead,” Lucas said as he, too, rose. “I am sure you know what’s to be done far more than I.”
“That’s the reason you must be there,” his father said. “So you can learn—”
“I can’t.” His gaze cut to Diana’s. “I have duties here.”
“What duties?” his father snapped. “You’re my heir, and you’re obliged to me.”
“Actually, Father,” Lucas said in equally clipped tones, “right now, you come in a distant third.” As if to prove the point, one of his men came into the room. He was dressed as one of her footmen, but he was clearly a soldier reporting to his commanding officer as he waited, hat in hand, for a moment to speak. Lucas turned immediately to Diana and gave her a quick nod. “If you’ll excuse me a moment,” he said.
“Of course.”
All three watched as he crossed the room to confer with his man. They spoke in low tones that Diana could not hear, but his mother’s remarks were loud enough.
“Did you see that?” she remarked to the earl. “He doesn’t even look at me. Such abominable manners. And did you see his hand? It’s like a crow’s foot.”
Her husband didn’t respond; neither did Diana, which apparently was normal for the countess. She just kept speaking as if everyone was fascinated by her observations.
“He needs to cut his hair in a more fashionable style. One that hides that scar along his face. A little paste would cover it up as well, but the haircut is vital.” She lifted her chin. “We shall tell everyone that we have known from the beginning but that we remained quiet out of respect for his delicate health.”
Diana meant to be quiet, but a snort of laughter burst out. And at the countess’s outraged expression, she quickly apologized. “I do beg your pardon, but surely you see that no one will believe a word of that.” She gestured back to where Lucas stood strong and tall. His muscular figure was on display. Indeed, Diana had just been admiring it.
“Of course, they will,” the lady responded. “With that scar on his face and whatever has happened to his hand.” She shuddered. “It’s repulsive.”
Diana’s humor faded. “It’s what happens to men during a war. He was at Waterloo, you know. That’s where he was wounded. I haven’t learned much more except that he’s a formidable fighter.” That much she had seen when she was attacked.
“We were told he’d died,” the earl said, awe in his tone as he stared at this son.
