Page 29 of The Marquess of Secrets

The brothers headed toward the Lords’ chambers.

Harrison wondered: how much to reveal to Tremain?

* * *

The meal was flawless. The staff served a sinfully rich cream of asparagus soup, a lettuce and tomato salad, followed by a fillet of beef served with mushroom sauce, roasted potatoes, and creamed peas. Harrison did not stand on ceremony; he ate everything.

Now the brothers were alone with a platter of fruit and cheese along with a bottle of port. Harrison told his brother about parting with his mistress and his determined search for a suitable bride. Though, he reflected, not as determined as he was a couple of weeks ago.

Tremain’s brows furrowed. “Harry, are you being pressured by our esteemed parents to make a match from the peerage?”

“Well, no. Our parents would never make such a declaration. But you must remember when we were youths; there were many days I was sequestered away with Father learning the duties of a duke. I took the lessons to heart. They made a permanent impact. Father pressed upon me the importance of our family: the history, the responsibilities for the tenants, and all in our care. Including our younger brother.”

Harrison swirled the port in his glass, then took a sip. “It was much to take in, but I embraced the obligation wholeheartedly. I’ve all but given up on love as you and Spencer found. Finding a suitable bride would fulfill my commitment to the family and the lineage.” He paused. “However, fate rarely takes such things into consideration.”

“What are you talking about?”

“There is a woman. I met her under circumstances much as your own.”

He gave Tremain a brief, condensed version of his and Lydia’s meeting, leaving out his suspicions of her homeless state and the terminus.

Tremain leaned back, his expression incredulous. “We are a strange set of siblings; there is no mistaking that. We certainly do not follow what is expected of us by society. How long do you intend to keep her at your townhouse?”

“No admonishments for taking in a stranger?” Harrison smiled.

“Not from me, for I did the same. You will be able to tell soon enough if Miss Chesterton is trustworthy. So, how long will she be staying?”

“Until she is recovered. Until I get to know her better. Until I find if these strange sensations and emotions are something I should dismiss or embrace fully.”

Tremain leaned forward and laid grapes and cheese on his plate. Then he poured them more port.

“My advice? To hell with duty and responsibilities. This is your life. If you’re developing feelings for the young woman, do not discharge them. Explore and nurture them. Love is everything, Brother. Spence would say the same. I had not realized how empty a life I had until I met Eliza. Yes, I did good works, and it gave me peace, but loving Eliza brings everything full circle. Completes me, so to speak.”

Tremain had the right of it. Good works were all well and good, but it was not the sum total of a man’s life.

There must be more.

He would be a fool to ignore what was happening inside him. But the bigger question is, would Miss Chesterton return any feelings? Wasn’t this all developing too quickly?

Not according to his brothers.

Popping a couple of grapes in his mouth, Tremain chewed thoughtfully, then swallowed. “Follow your heart,” Tremain continued. “I tried to ignore what was happening, believed myself too damaged ever to love a woman. I was mistaken. Do not turn from love for the sake of duty. Our parents would never forgive you.” A slight smile curved about his brother’s mouth. “And neither would Spencer. Or I, for that matter.”

Tremain’s words touched him. “I will think about what you said. I’m not sure if the young lady even returns my regard. This may be a mere infatuation on my part. Love cannot develop as quickly as you say. Surely not.”

Tremain arched an eyebrow. “Oh? Tell Spence that, and he will vehemently disagree. For him, it was a week. For me? Merely a few weeks. There is no set schedule. Perhaps what you’re feeling isn’t love at all. All I am saying is to give it a chance. If you walk away, you will regret it for the rest of your days. Be open to new experiences.”

Harrison smiled. “When did you become so blasted wise?”

“War brings much into perspective. The one lesson I learned is life is short. I no longer take anything for granted. Remember how wicked we were in our early twenties?” Tremain winked. “Complete rouges.”

Harrison chuckled, then sobered.

The decadent doings had soon lost their appeal. For a period of eighteen months, they cut quite a swath in London society before Tremain took up his commission. One whiskey and opium-soaked night, they had shared an expensive courtesan. The sex with the hired woman was frantic, feral, and had left him feeling empty and ultimately ashamed.

Hungover and nauseous by morning, he and Tremain paid the woman and never spoke of it again. But they could not meet each other’s gaze for several days after the encounter. They had never spoken of it.

Until now.