“Good Lord,” came a familiar voice behind him, “you look like death wrapped in expensive tailoring.”
Victor stopped and turned sharply. Lionel stood several paces away dressed impeccably as usual, though amusement flickered openly in his expression.
Victor narrowed his eyes immediately. “What are you doing here?”
Lionel raised a brow innocently. “Must I require permission to visit my own family home?” Lionel shrugged lightly. “I came to see Grandmother.”
Victor stared at him flatly. “Liar.”
Lionel’s mouth twitched. “Very well,” he admitted after a moment. “Grandmother sent me a letter.”
Victor groaned under his breath. “She claims you have been behaving like a wounded bear.”
“I am perfectly fine,” Victor muttered.
“Yes, naturally,” Lionel said dryly. “That explains why the servants look terrified.”
Victor resumed pacing immediately. “I have business matters occupying my thoughts.”
Lionel followed leisurely beside him. “And those business matters are named Charlotte?”
Victor shot him a dangerous glare. “Careful.”
Lionel ignored the warning entirely. “You truly are miserable without her.”
Victor hated that everyone seemed capable of seeing through him lately. He preferred conversations kept superficial and easy, filled with meaningless wit and safe distance. That had always been simpler. Yet Lionel continued walking beside him with irritating persistence.
“She left only days ago,” Victor said stiffly. “There is no cause for dramatics.”
Lionel gave him a long look. “You are wearing mismatched gloves.”
Victor glanced down in horror. “Damnation.”
Lionel laughed outright. “There he is,” he said. “My impossible elder brother.”
Victor removed the offending gloves irritably. “Do stop grinning at me.”
Lionel folded his arms. “Not until you explain why Grandmother believes you are in emotional collapse.”
Victor scoffed. “Elizabeth exaggerates.”
Lionel snorted. “Victor, she practically begged me to come save you from yourself.”
Victor rubbed tiredly at his temple. “Wonderful.”
Lionel’s expression softened slightly. “You are worrying her.”
That immediately sparked irritation. “I have done nothing.”
Lionel stared at him incredulously. “You have been stomping through the house in silence for days whilst your wife resides elsewhere.”
Victor’s jaw tightened. “It is temporary.”
Lionel raised a brow. “Is it?”
Victor stopped walking entirely. “What precisely are you implying?”
Lionel sighed heavily. “That perhaps your wife did not flee her home for amusement.”
