Page 28 of The Marquess of Secrets

God forbid he should reveal what he was feeling.

Whatever it was.

Dodging carriages and piles of horse manure, Harrison made his way to the side entrance and entered the hall but stopped short when he spotted his brother, Tremain, leaning on his cane, admiring the recently installed frescos.

“Tremain!”

Harrison hurried toward his younger brother. Then, seeing they were alone, embraced him briefly.

“Steady on, we just saw each other a couple of weeks ago,” Tremain laughed.

Public displays of affection were generally frowned upon, but Harrison didn’t care as he was genuinely pleased to see his brother.

After returning from the war, Tremain had not been himself. Harrison worried the brother that he knew, loved, and admired was gone forever.

How gratifying to have him back.

Upon his return from South Africa, Tremain was made Viscount Hawkestone. It was an extinct title on their mother’s side, going back more than one hundred years. The queen wished to reward Tremain for his services to the crown by resurrecting the title through letters patent. Many grumbled over the blatant favoritism the queen had often shown his family, but in Harrison's eyes, his brother more than deserved such a rare honor.

“Nonetheless, it’s good to see you. When did you arrive in London?” Harrison asked.

“Just this morning. I’m staying at the Gransford townhouse. Father said I should make an appearance at Parliament. It is well overdue.” He clapped Harrison on the shoulder. “You have been carrying far more of the burden here at the House of Lords since Father’s health crisis. It’s far past time I contributed and fulfilled my obligations.”

“And Eliza?”

A warm smile curved about Tremain’s mouth at the mention of his fiancée’s name.

“As propriety dictates, she is staying with our mother and father until the wedding. Drew is there as well, being tutored by Eliza and being spoiled shamelessly by his new grandparents.”

Tremain was in the process of adopting a young orphan from the village that was part of his brother’s estate. Harrison immediately liked the lad, especially when Drew mentioned he was interested in pursuing a career in medicine. Once Harrison revealed his secrets to his family, he would do all he could to assist the boy.

“And Spence?”

“When has our younger brother ever given a toss about society and propriety? He is tucked away at Penhaven with Philomena and his wolfhounds as he has been since bringing her from Wales in January.”

They moved to the nearby corner to have a more private conversation.

Tremain rested against the wall, exhaling in pain as he shifted his weight from his cane. Harrison should not leave him standing like this for long.

“He adamantly refused to be parted from her when Father suggested it,” Tremain revealed. “Became quite agitated. It was decided to let the matter drop. Spence’s place is more or less isolated. He does not venture out into society, so who’s to know?”

The corner of Harrison’s mouth twitched. Obviously, his brother hadn’t heard the tattle on Spence and be damned if he would share it here.

Big Ben chimed the top of the hour.

“We’d best head to chambers,” Harrison said. “We can take tea on the terrace afterward if you like.”

“Sitting with other lords and members? Not much chance for a private conversation there. I was going to seek you out anyway, and I’ve already informed the staff you would be joining me for dinner. I insist. You do not have any other plans this evening?”

Damnation.

Harrison had hoped to take dinner with Lydia before venturing to the terminus. His hesitation caused Tremain to arch an eyebrow.

“Off to the mistress tonight?” his brother asked.

Harrison shook his head. “I no longer have a mistress.”

“All the more reason you must join me for dinner in order to divulge the details. Come, time for you to show me the ropes.”