“Didn’t go far then. I’d advise you to sleep with one eye open.”
Sebastian saw that his brother regretted the words as soon as they were spoken. He held up a hand to forestall any forthcoming apologies. “You have no need to watch your words around me.”
“You should have gone to the sea and I to the army.”
“Our fates might not have changed. I’ve seen seamen aplenty with only one eye. Besides I have a tendency toward seasickness.”
Tristan stared at him. “You’re jesting.”
“Afraid not. I spent most of my journey back from the Crimea with my head hung over a bucket.”
Tristan craned back his head and released a bold laugh. His legs were braced far apart as though even now he stood on the deck of a bucking ship. When only the crackling of the fire in the hearth again filled the room he said, “Good night, Brother.”
He strode purposely from the room, leaving Sebastian to his demons.
Chapter 10
During the week since his return to Easton House, Sebastian had been busy sorting through the mess of records and documents that his uncle had left behind. The man was a slovenly slob when it came to keeping a tight accounting of all five estates that had been under his care. He had managers and solicitors handling various aspects, but little had been arranged in any sort of order.
Sitting at his desk in the library, he glanced over at Tristan, casually sprawled on the sofa—obviously life at sea was not as regimented as the army—leisurely reading an assortment of documents they’d discovered in a drawer. They looked to be little more than reports from various overseers, but it was imperative that Sebastian learn as much of the important matters in as short a span of time as possible. If not for his devious uncle, he would have been at his father’s side, learning all that he needed to know to manage his estates. As it was, he had to ferret out information. He was simply grateful that his brother had decided to join him in residence and assist with the monstrous task. It made sense that he be as familiar as possible with everything associated with the titles and estates. He was, after all, the spare.
And if Sebastian had no luck securing a wife, it would be Tristan orhisson who would eventually inherit and hold the titles. Sebastian intended to ensure that his heir presumptive was educated in all things. If it came to that.
“You should consider joining me at Rafe’s tonight,” Tristan said distractedly. “His gaming tables are excellent.”
“Which I suppose means that no one catches you cheating.”
Tristan grinned. Even as a lad he’d had a penchant for seeking shortcuts. “A man caught cheating on the seas is tossed to the sharks ... or feels the bite of a cat-o-nine.”
It was the opening Sebastian had been waiting for. He leaned back and kept his voice as casual as possible. “Is that what happened to you? You were found guilty of cheating?”
He’d only caught a glimpse of his brother’s back once—when he’d walked into his room at Rafe’s without knocking. But it had been enough to send guilt and fury spiraling through him. His brother’s back had been torn apart—more than once based upon the thickness of the scars. Tristan had merely shrugged into his shirt and ordered him to never walk in unannounced again.
Tristan tossed aside the missive he’d been reading. “Boring rubbish, this. I don’t know why we’re bothering with it.”
“Because we don’t know what may be of value. And you avoided answering my question.”
Tristan shoved himself to his feet, walked to the window, and gazed out on the magnificent gardens. Sebastian couldn’t fault his uncle for the manner in which he’d taken care of the London residence. Everything was in good repair. An abundance of fine liquor was easily at hand. The horses were of strong stock. The carriages were well-sprung. Nothing was in want of attention. Except the books. They left him feeling as though he were overlooking something vital.
“I wasn’t accustomed to being ordered about,” Tristan finally said quietly. “I enjoyed a good brawl. A lot of anger churned within me, and there are few places to unleash it on a ship.”
“I’m sorry for the hardship.”
Tristan faced him. “Did you find orders easy to take?”
He shook his head. “Saved every ha’penny I earned so I could purchase my way up the ranks to be the one who gave them rather than the one taking them. I never was completely without orders being thrown at me, but in time they became fewer in number and I was issuing most of them.”
“Well, there you are then. We are better suited to being gentlemen of leisure.” He spread his arms wide. “So here we are.”
“Why do I have the impression you are chomping at the bit to be elsewhere?”
“Because there’s no blasted wind here. I enjoy standing on the deck with the wind billowing the sails. Out there is freedom. Here I am left with the constant sense that I’m on the verge of being caught.”
“By Uncle?” Had there been threats? Had he spied someone lurking in the shadows? Sebastian was at a disadvantage because he could only ever clearly see the shadows to his right.
Tristan scoffed. “God, no. I’d welcome him attempting to do me harm. They couldn’t hang me for self-defense.” He shook his head. “I’m not quite sure what it is that bothers me. The thought of domesticity perhaps. Of being reined in.”
“A woman then. Has someone caught your fancy?”
