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An affronted gasp fled his brother. “I’m eighteen!”

“Which under the law would make you…an infant.”

A laugh escaped Rafe at the horrified look on his brother’s face. It was true. Until an individual reached majority at one-and-twenty, they technically were an infant in legal terms. “You cannot buy or sell land. You cannot even marry without your mother’s permission.”

Sebastian sputtered. “Whose side are you on? I thought you were moments from killing Mr. Turner in a jealous rage. And now you’re defending him!”

Rafe’s amusement died a quick death. “He has history with Miss Dawson. That was obvious.”

“Yes, and your display back there made it quite clear you have present with Theo. You need to control yourself if you don’t want Theo’s reputation tarnished. Fortunately, Mr. Turner would never do anything to harm her. He’s the most virtuous of men.”

Rafe nearly threw up in his mouth. Lovely. That was just lovely.

“Seeing you jealous is quite diverting, I must say.”

Rafe shoved him in the shoulder.

Sebastian quickly recovered and dissolved into a fit of mirth. “And I’m the child?”

“You’re annoying; that’s what you are.”

“You might not like it, but yes, Mr. Turner and Miss Dawson have a history.” Sebastian’s bouncing eyebrows were visible even from Rafe’s periphery. “But it’s nothing to be concerned over. It’s always been purely physical between them.”

A strangled sound came from Rafe’s throat, his head shooting Sebastian’s way. “That is supposed to make me feel better?”

That only made him want to go back and murder the man even more.

“And how do you even know that?” There was no way Theodora would have ever spoken of such things.

“Because I’m not daft? We play cards. Mr. Turner doesn’t leave. I’ve never been good at maths, but even I can add that up. And Theo has as much as admitted it to me. She knows how I feel—” He abruptly stopped talking.

“How you’re all calf-eyed over the man?”

Sebastian was suddenly very interested in the clouds.

“If you thought my jealousy was obvious, you were worse. I was ready to drag in a swooning couch.”

“Sod off. But also. Can you blame me? Did you see Mr. Turner? All those muscles. He’s so thick.”

Dear God.

Sebastian deflated with a sigh. “Swoon is right.”

And Rafe was back to being vexed. “Quite the virtuous, handsome gentleman,” he grumbled.

Sebastian just grinned at him.

As much as Rafe greatly disliked this new information, he couldn’t deny this ride had been…nice. Sebastian was fun, albeit a mite vexing, but vexing in a good way. Reminded him of how he and Derek would throw barbs.

He rubbed at the odd ache in his chest. He didn’t know what to make of this knowledge of Mr. Turner and Theodora. Rafe might be her present, but that had an end date. When he returned to London. Then Mr. Turner would be there. Mr. Turner would always be there.

And Rafe wouldn’t.

He chewed on his cheek, thoughts spinning through his mind.

Terrifying thoughts.

Ludicrous thoughts.