“Father was wrong. And what little I remember of him… You have always been more like a father to me than a brother. You have been the measure of a good—no, a great man in my eyes.” Rodger sighed. “All my life, I have watched you strive to be the man you thought our father wanted you to be. I have watched you do the best you could.”
“And that is not good enough.” Luke muttered.
“It is more than good enough. You have made our duchy thrive! More than that, the people love you.” Rodger shook his head. “You know, I can scarcely go into town without hearing of how good a Duke you have been.
“Every year, you receive cards from the tenants thanking you. The farmers go above and beyond for you.” Rodger continued.
“That is because I am their duke.” Luke shrugged.
“It is because they respect you. You do not spend much time amongst the people, but I do.” Rodger poured himself another drink. “It is the privilege of being the second son. And I have seen how things have flourished.”
“But I almost ruined everything when I inherited.” Luke remembered just how close they had come to losing everything.
“You were thirteen! You were a child, of course you made mistakes.” Rodger dug his knuckles into his brow. “And you fixed your mistakes. Warren is thriving.”
“But what about you?” Luke asked.
“What about me? I have been waiting years for you to realise the truth.” Rodger took a cautious sip of whiskey.
“Which is?”
His brother gave him an exasperated glare. “You are an amazing duke. You are more than our duchy deserves. You insist you do not want a family, that you do not want any of that. But I have seen the way you light up around children. You have not let yourself want it, because you think you do not deserve it. But you are wrong, dearest brother. You deserve all of it.”
“But your children will inherit nothing. Or at least, not the title.” Luke frowned.
“I have never wanted them to. I have seen the pressure you face every day, and I do not think I would have the strength to bear it.” Rodger shrugged. “You are a man of action, a born leader. Just look at the way you saved Miss Pembleton. I just stood there, rooted to the spot.”
“I did what I had to.” His heart squeezed as the image of Emily’s limp body sprang to his mind.
“And you laid into me afterwards – and your anger was justified. I had failed in my duty. And you, as you always do, cleaned up my mess.” Rodger gave him a knowing look. “You are always looking after people, but you never spare a thought for yourself.”
“That is the nature of being a leader.” Luke shrugged.
“Well, perhaps it is time that you look to your own heart. Your own needs.” Rodger fixed him with a serious look. “Now brother, tell me, what is it that you want?”
He heard the echo of Emily in his brother’s words, and the truth struck him like a hammer. “I want her. I want Emily.”
“I want the family, I want to marry her. I want a life with her.” Giddiness spread through him and he leapt to his feet. “I want these halls to be full of her laughter. Of her music. I want this castle to be full of life.”
“What else do you want?” Rodger asked, standing up excitedly.
“I want to be happy.” Luke grinned. “I deserve to be happy.”
“She would make a fine duchess.” Rodger grinned back.
“I love her.” Luke breathed, running a hand through his hair.I love her.
Rodger raised an eyebrow at him. “I know.”
“I have been a fool.” Luke slumped.
“You have, but you do not have to remain a fool.” Rodger squeezed his upper arm. “You can simply let yourself be happy.”
“What if I am too late? What if I have ruined everything?” Luke saw Emily, saw the disappointment and the pain in her eyes.
He had caused that hurt and pain.
“You will never know unless you try.” Rodger said. “And is she not worth trying for?”
