Page 2 of A Devious Secret

Hugh nodded his approval. “She is most grateful for that.”

“I need to ensure that Marielle is happily settled before I can return to Brightlingsea,” Stephen said.

“You do not need to worry about that since I see to Marielle’s happiness now,” Hugh remarked.

Stephen held Hugh’s gaze. “I will always worry about my sister, especially since she is the only family that I have left.”

Hugh gave him an amused look. “Ah, but you forget that you now can count me as family.”

“Don’t remind me,” Stephen muttered. “I would have preferred if Marielle had married anyone else but you.”

“Regardless, we must learn to get along for Marielle’s sake,” Hugh said.

“I agree, but I don’t have to like it.”

Hugh chuckled. “Who would have thought that we would end up as brothers when we were fighting with each other at Eton?”

“Brothers-in-law,” Stephen corrected. “There is a distinction.”

Hawthorne interjected, “My mother was hoping you would join us for dinner this evening.”

“I would be honored, but you don’t need to keep feeding me,” Stephen said. “I do employ a cook.”

“Yes, that also acts as a housekeeper,” Hawthorne remarked. “You need to hire more household staff.”

“The staff is sufficient for my needs,” Stephen assured him.

Hawthorne gave him a look that implied he didn’t believe him. “Do you even employ a valet?”

“There is no need. I have managed to dress myself for many years on my ship,” Stephen replied. “You learn to make do with what you have when you are on the high seas for months on end.”

“But you are not at sea anymore,” Hugh said. “You are attempting to navigate the trappings of high Society.”

“I don’t know why I bother since thetonwill never accept me as one of their own. I just own a shipyard,” Stephen said.

“A very successful shipyard which has made you a very rich man,” Hugh pointed out.

“That it has, but I detest the pomp that comes with interacting with theton,” Stephen griped.

“That, my friend, goes along with it,” Hugh said.

Stephen swirled the drink in his hand. “We are not friends.”

“Yet,” Hugh corrected.

“No, not ever,” Stephen said. “We both can tolerate one another’s existence for Marielle’s sake, but we do not have anything in common.”

Lord Grenton approached the table and pulled out a chair. “Good afternoon, gentlemen,” he greeted.

Stephen knew that he should count himself fortunate that Hugh’s friends had embraced him so willingly, but he was more than happy to be alone. Although, he did find Grenton to be an interesting fellow. He allowed his wife to spend most of her time at an orphanage in the rookeries. It was very progressive of him.

With a tip of his head, he acknowledged Lord Grenton. “Grenton,” he said.

Grenton leaned to the side as a server placed new drinks into the center of the table. “Did I interrupt something?” he asked, glancing between Hugh and Stephen.

Hugh grinned. “Stephen was just telling me that we will never be friends.”

“I wouldn’t catch Marielle hearing you say that,” Grenton teased, turning his attention towards Stephen. “She is adamant that you get along with Hugh.”