Page 3 of Desperately Seeking Seduction

Stratford shuffled his feet, knowing what was being asked of him without it being said out loud. While he wanted to help his eldest brother, what he had saved himself in the last years was not very much at all. He’d never been good at keeping track of where his money went. And it seemed to have slipped through his fingers like water in recent years for one reason or another while living in London. He ought to have paid more attention to his finances.

But Algernon was his brother and the head of the family now. The man who’d essentially raised him, ensured he was well cared for all his life. Educated him, too, and Stratford had always been clothed in Algernon’s finest castoffs. Father and Mother had not given a damn about their two younger sons, other than receiving regular reports that he and Jasper were still breathing. All their care and attention had gone to Algernon and Nash, the heir and spare. But that had only been to a point, as well.

He caught his elder brother’s eye. “It’s not much but you can have what I possess.”

His other brothers exhaled. “So, it’s settled. We’ll sell Freemont Villa, and Highland Cottage, and now Clifford Lodge, along with those cottages you purchased from Barnes recently. That should bring in a tidy sum to keep the worst of the debtors at bay.”

Stratford raked a hand through his hair and winced. Clifford Lodge had only just become his, a bequest in his late father’s will. He’d spent less than a week there himself since Father’s passing. He had planned to go back soon. Now he no longer could. But then again, Nash and Jasper had inherited Highland Cottage and Freemont Villa, respectively, and they were giving them up as well, so he shouldn’t complain. He wasn’t the only one losing out in all of this.

“Thank you, but know you won’t remain empty-handed,” Ravenswood murmured to him quietly. “Nash has drawn up a plan of attack and there are contracts between us to be signed. You will receive surplus profits from the ducal estate annually until the value of your sold property is reached, and for three years beyond that. You should end up richer than you are now.”

“But where will I live?”

“You will stay here or at Ravenswood House in London.”

“Surely you don’t want me living with you,” he said, laughing awkwardly. Stratford loved his older brothers, but he also knew he often annoyed them, too. He talked a lot and was somewhat forgetful. Nash was always with the duke, and he had a particularly short fuse for interruptions and conversation.

“Father may not have wanted us about, but I want my brothers near,” Ravenswood promised. “You will all stay with me. I couldn’t take your money any other way. You will have the advantage of having this duke’s ear, for what it’s worth.”

Jasper caught Stratford’s eye and grinned widely. “He’s not that fond of us. He just doesn’t want to be left to deal with the family rabble all on his own when they come banging on his door.”

When Ravenswood’s lips twitched, indicating unspoken agreement with Jasper’s sentiment, Stratford felt a smile forming on his face, too. None of them wanted that, but it had always been easier to deal with the family together. “Our cousins and uncles and aunts are accustomed to preferential treatment.”

“They are about to get a rude shock,” Nash murmured. “Our new duke will have a reputation as a taciturn penny-pincher.”

“The howls of outrage will be loud when they realize they’ll have to pay their own bills,” Jasper whispered. “And we will have the front-row seats to witness their many hardships.”

Stratford rubbed his hands together and laughed. “This is going to be such fun.”

“Don’t get carried away,” Nash warned. “Tread lightly for now. You can break out into song when we have him married.”

Stratford swiveled to stare at Algernon. His elder brother looked decidedly uncomfortable at the announcement of a wedding for himself. “No!”

“Yes,” Ravenswood murmured. “Father has given me no choice but to marry a woman for her money. He couldn’t get me to wed his choice while he was alive. In death, the bastard might get his black heart’s desire.”

They would all be miserable if Algernon had to marry Lady Stephanie Kent, the heiress father had favored all along. A colder woman could not be found anywhere in England. She had pots of money, pride to match, and wished with every breath to become the next Duchess of Ravenswood.

So did Algernon’s current mistress, Lady Barnes, although she was already married.

The two women hated each other.

Stratford winced thinking of Algernon’s future, caught between a wife and a mistress. There would be fireworks when they returned to London.

And they would all have to answer to a duchess one day. Live together in the same house for years, too, until their loans were repaid in full. Stratford was not looking forward to that future. It would be a nightmare he’d wish on no one.

There was a tap on the door, and Jasper rushed to answer it.

But it was only the butler. “A carriage approaches, Your Grace. I believe it is the one you are waiting for.”

Ravenswood nodded. “Bring her to me immediately.”

Stratford winced. Dear God. Was it so bad that Ravenswood meant to announce he would marry that very day? “Should we leave you to it?”

Jasper slapped his shoulder. “It’s not what you think.”

“Then what is it?” His brothers all grinned, and he scowled at them. “Why am I the last to know anything in this family?”

“You should have been the very first.” Algernon brushed at his dark sleeve and turned away. “He was your friend, after all.”