Page 56 of A Knight for Gwenllian

Oh. Silly her. Of course, she was not saving him from a night on the hard stone. “Please. One night, in the warmth of your arms. Then I promise I will leave.”

Yes. For now.

But she would be back before long, to make sure that Fate delivered on her promise.

At last, Alexander relented. “Very well. You’ll sleep in my arms tonight.”

Chapter Seventeen

“I’m considering taking Audley Castle back.”

Alexander stared at his brother. He had expected some momentous announcement, but this was shocking news.

“Take it back?” On what grounds? But Alexander already knew there would be no acceptable answer to this question. Since the moment he had been entrusted with the administration of the domain at the age of eighteen, he had never given anyone any cause for complaint.

“Well, not exactly take it back, as it’s always been mine, but…you know.”

Yes, he did know. Hugh was planning to kick him out for no reason other than to stamp his authority on a younger brother. And he relished the idea. The gleam in his eyes made that clear. Well, Alexander would not show how upset this made him, and he would especially not beg. He would be blunt and straight to the point, as ever. It was his favored method and had always been the best way to act with Hugh, who was equally as blunt.

“You’re considering taking it back. What does that mean, exactly?”

His brother sighed and helped himself to another cup of wine, enjoying making him wait.

“I’m about to get married, if you must know. It’s about time. The lady I chose is a beauty and very well-connected. Her father is in favor of the match. However, he would like to see my domains before he agrees, assure himself of my fortune. That is why I’ve sent Colin to inspect each and every one of them. I need to know in which state they’re in.”

“Colin went to Blue Rock over a year ago.” Surely he had long finished his mission?

Hugh waved a hand. “I know. But it takes time. Our dear father had many small properties scattered here and there, as you know. Our little brother has gone to them all, with his French mistress in tow, or so I’m told. I saved Audley for last, meaning to inspect it myself because the others have been somewhat mismanaged, I’m sorry to say. I intend to rectify the situation, but you will agree that it would not be ideal to impress a future father-in-law to present him with half-ruins barely able to make a profit. Audley, however, is ready for inspection from what I saw. It should be enough to placate Lady Elizabeth and her father.”

“Of course, it will.” The castle has been expertly managed, as they all knew. “But why do you need to take it back, as you say?”

“Because my bride, having seen that Roger lived with me at Hotwell, made me promise I would get rid of him. She intends to be sole mistress of her domains.”

“So Roger, Colin and I are to just disappear?”

“Come, brother. I’m not so heartless. Roger will be sent to Blue Rock, where he will be able to resume his life of idleness. Colin has his wife’s estates. As for you… If you really are determined to stay at Audley, I’m sure we can come to an arrangement. All I need is a well-managed domain to impress my future father-in-law when he visits from London next month. If you can find another well-managed castle for me in time, I will naturally take him there, and you can remain here.”

Remain here. Until Hugh found another excuse to kick him out, of course. As to “finding” a well-managed castle in time for Lady Elizabeth’s father’s inspection, that would never happen. Even supposing he could locate one, Alexander just didn’t have the money for such an extravagance.

And Hugh knew it.

“Supposing you did take Audley back, where would I go? Another of your dilapidated castles, like Roger?”

A snort answered him, followed by a terrible declaration. “If you wish. I care not.”

“Bloody hell. That brother of yours really is a viper.”

Alexander didn’t offer any comment. He knew that Christopher didn’t need any confirmation, as he was just stating a truth out loud. Hugh was a viper. They had always known it, but that particular, vicious bite had been unexpected.

After taking Gwenllian to Sheridan Manor, where she’d told her sister she would be, Alexander had ridden on to Throckmorton. He needed to discuss Hugh’s shocking announcement with someone, get some advice as to what to do, even if he doubted Christopher, or anyone, would come up with a miraculous solution. During the ride to Sheridan Manor, he had told Gwenllian what had transpired during the meeting with his brother. There had been no other choice. She had seen his face when he’d come out of the great hall and known something was wrong. But to his surprise, she hadn’t asked any questions.

Still, and perhaps because of her discretion, he’d found that he wanted to confide in her. And so, as soon as they were alone, he’d told her what his brother had told him. She had been suitably shocked, but then she had smiled at him.

“I’m sure you will find a solution. Because I know you cannot, and will not, lose Audley.”

Losing the place he saw as his home was unthinkable, but he was amazed by the certainty in her voice. It was as if she didn’t doubt for a moment that he would end his life there. He wished he could share in her certainty because at the moment, his situation looked hopeless. What acceptable alternative could he offer to Hugh? It was not as if the man would play fair. Alexander suspected that riling him was half the appeal, he would refuse any sensible option just because he could. To make him accept, he would have to come up with an offer so advantageous that even his desire to upset his brother would pale in comparison.

Alexander helped himself to another cup of spiced wine, but he barely felt the comforting warmth going down his throat or tasted the cinnamon on his tongue.