Page 43 of Married to the Duke By Midnight

Robert looked between Jo and Thornston. He did want to make amends with Xavier but felt reluctant to leave Jo.

“I will not leave her side,” Thornston assured him with a smile. “Are you interested in losing a substantial sum of money at the vingt-et-un table, Duchess?” he asked as he offered Jo his arm again.

“I have never lost a game of cards,” Jo countered with a smile that tugged at something deep inside Robert. Why could their conversations not be so smooth and easy?

“It is all about counting the cards…” Jo was explaining to Thornston as the two of them were making their way to the card room. Robert followed them with his eyes before he headed to the garden.

Xavier was sitting on a bench partially obscured by overhanging foliage.

“May I sit?” Robert asked as he slowly approached.

Xavier nodded curtly and looked away.

Robert sat gingerly on the edge of the bench.

“I am sorry, Xavier,” he told him earnestly.

“You were right: it was just one night. What do I know of love?” Xavier asked in a cold and detached voice, which told Robert that he did not believe his own words.

“I don’t know, but probably more than me,” Robert told him as he huffed a mirthless breath.

They were quiet for several minutes.

“Did you secure the meeting with the architect?” Robert asked.

He was not certain they were done with the previous discussion, but it seemed a palate cleanser was in order, conversation-wise.

“Yes.”

“Do you think it will finally be possible?”

Robert had always admired the way his stepfather and -brother had persistently been working on making Barforth Castle more comfortable for Philomena. The medieval structure was created as a fortress with lots of stairs with narrow steps, which was not ideal for their sister.

Xavier’s father Percival had managed a lot, but when he had died, Philomena had only been twelve. It had been easier to carry her around and she had not protested as much as she did now. She was almost a grown woman, and she craved the modicum of independence she would gain from being able to move about her home without someone helping her up and down the stairs.

The main staircase from the entry hall to the upstairs family quarters posed the largest problem. It was built in stone in the center of the house and would probably be the last thing standing if the building burned to the ground. The stones had become slippery with use over the centuries and demanded your attention even when you had the full use of your legs. Philomena could manage with assistance on a good day but would have to be carried on a weak one.

“I hope so. The man I am meeting has helped several others make their old estates more accommodating.”

“I hope he is the right fit then.”

They were quiet again.

“Has Rafe written to you as well?” Robert asked and turned to look at his brother.

“He writes me every day.” Xavier rubbed his neck as he answered.

“You can’t allow him to join the military.”

Robert’s gut clenched at the thought of their younger brother at war.

“I know,” Xavier said with a heavy sigh.

Robert knew he thought the same: They had already lost too many people. Robert had lost both his father and stepfather. Xavier both of his parents. They had almost lost Philomena.

“I am sorry,” Robert said again after several more minutes of silence.

“I know.” Xavier sighed even deeper this time. “You have no idea how lucky you are, do you, Robert? I just hope you wake up in time to see it.”