“He has a temper and a cruel streak,” Tommy countered.“If your father hadn’t believed you man enough to stand up to him, then I daresay he wouldn’t have sent you.”He signalled for another ale.“Have you refused to let him torment you?”
“He has not tried,” lied Rollo, remembering his first few weeks at Goule and how entering that drawing room had taken every scrap of bravery he possessed.Just as Fitz was using all his resources now to beg his brother’s forgiveness.“Whilst I was unhappy with Papa’s decision to send me away, I believe he chose well.Fitz may be all that you say, but his life experiences have taught him quite a bit about making costly errors.He has passed some of that wisdom on to me.”
Tommy laughed.“So you shan’t be racing curricles up and down Pall Mall in the dead of night when you come up for your first season?”
Rollo laughed too.“I didn’t say that.I’ve already bet Willoughby fifty pounds that I’ll best him.And I expect on occasion that you’ll want to throw me down the back steps of Squire’s too.”He paused.“But, thanks to Fitz’s influence and cautionary tales, I shan’t cheat, lie, be anything but charming to the ladies, or do whatever else might tarnish the good name of Duchamps-Avery.”
“Pritchard will be disappointed,” Tommy commented, smiling.“And when the season starts, will this pillar of wisdom be returning to London with you from his Norfolk exile?”
“Yes, that is my plan.”Rollo had yet to share it with Fitz, but he remained an eternal idealist.“So, you must all be terrifically nice to him.”He grimaced.“He’s going to need all the allies he can get.I suspect a lot of folks would be delighted to see him fail.”
“Your papa and Benedict have influence far and wide amongst important families in theton, albeit they wield it with a quiet power.If Fitzsimmons is part of their group, then I assure you, Rollo, he will be cut by nobody.”
Rollo checked his pocket watch as Tommy finished his drink.They’d left the brothers alone for over an hour.Plenty of time to patch the holes in their relationship and visit Fitz’s poorhouse.Though an hour was also plenty long enough for Fitz to bugger it up.
Chapter Nineteen
LYNDON SLEPT FORthe first part the homewards journey, drained of everything he had, with his head resting on his young lover’s shoulder and Rollo’s hand warming in his lap.When he woke, two anxious blue eyes latched onto his.
“Did he accept your apology?”
Lyndon brought Rollo’s hand to his dry lips.“Yes.Of course.”
That Benedict would be gracious was never in question, no matter how clumsily Lyndon delivered his apology.And God knew it had been.His feet had shuffled as if he were kicking up dirt in the stable yard.His eyes had insisted upon counting every book on the shelves behind where Benedict sat, and his mouth had stumbled over the words as if stuffed with his pocket square.
And patiently, Benedict listened and then forgave him.His inherent kindliness would forgive Lyndon thrusting a dagger through his heart if it gave his twin peace of mind.Lyndon didn’t believe he’d ever achieve or deserve that.But when Benedict’s familiar arms wrapped around him, folding him back into the Fitzsimmons family, it had given his mind enough of something not too many steps removed.At the least, Lyndon liked himself a little more than he had yesterday.
“So it’s over.Done.”
“Yes,” Lyndon repeated.And he’d managed to keep his chin held high and hold back his tears, though they threatened to breach the barrier now.
“You showed him your new venture?”
“Yes.He thought it was splendid.He agrees we should join forces and build several more in a similar style.”And Lyndon had cringed at the praise.“He’s a good man,” he added, abstractedly toying with his lover’s hand.“To think I once fancied myself as a better duke.”
“You would be just as fine,” insisted Rollo, making Lyndon smile.He didn’t bother contradicting him.Not even Rollo’s dogged determination to see the good in him would change the essence of Lyndon’s nature.His jealousy would never leave him, nor would his orneriness and his penchant for brandy.Nothing and no one could rearrange the essential elements of his soul and transform him into a benevolent, thoughtful, God-fearing duke.
He could continue to strive to be a decent lord and lover though.
“Whilst you two were putting the world to rights, Tommy and I had a fine old time at that tavern.I had no idea he and your brother were soclose.Tommy has a…um…chequered past.”
“He does,” agreed Lyndon.“And some brutish, chequered friends.I suggest you never find yourself on the wrong side of them.”
“I can’t believe he had you thrown down the back steps of Squire’s.The brother of a respected duke.”
“He told you why?”
“Yes.”
Lyndon experienced a rush of shame.“At the time, I didn’t understand why he was so…protective of Benedict.”
“Well, now you do.And Tommy is an excellent chap.One of the best.”
Lyndon laughed mirthlessly.“Apparently so.I don’t expect we’ll become bosom chums any time soon.”
“Yes, you will,” promised Rollo.“I shall work on you both.”
“Your diplomacy skills may be required sooner rather than later.I’ve…um…invited Benedict to spend some time at Goule in the early autumn.I suggested we could try our hand at fishing, as we did with our father when we were boys.”
