Page 20 of Sin and Serendipity

His brother’s brows shot up. “Good God, don’t tell me Mother’s matchmaking has actually worked. Are you going to marry the girl?”

It took every ounce of restraint Robert possessed to keep from snarling at him, but he managed to keep his temper in check. None of this was Freddy’s fault, after all, and as much as he’d love to hate his too-handsome, too-charming brother for claiming Ellie’s heart before he’d had the chance, he couldn’t bring himself to do it.

Freddy couldn’t help that women loved him, just as Ellie couldn’t help who she loved. She wanted Freddy, and if Robert truly cared for her, he would do everything in his power to see her happy.

No matter how much it hurt.

“I’m not going to marry her, no,” he said quietly. “But I do think she could be a good match for you.”

“For me?” Freddy wrinkled his nose. “As my wife?”

Despite his mood, Robert couldn’t help but smile at his brother’s outrage. “We all have to marry eventually, you know.”

“Eventually being the key word here,“ Freddy said. “I’m not ready for marriage. You, of all people, should know that.”

Robert threw him a frown. “What do you mean, me, of all people?”

Freddy drank from his champagne flute and shrugged. “You are my severest critic. And, frankly, I’m surprised you would allow the clever and lovely Miss Wrencroft to marry a worthless wastrel like me.”

His brother’s tone was light, but there was an undercurrent of something else there, something dark and mocking.

Robert grimaced. “You’re not worthless, Freddy,” he said. “You’re just…”

“A wastrel?” Freddy speared him with a pointed look.

Tossing back the rest of his champagne, Robert avoided his gaze, unsure of what to say. Freddy wasn’t worthless, but he was a bit of a wastrel. There was no denying it, much as he’d like to.

“I know you miss George,” Freddy said quietly, drawing Robert’s surprised gaze. “I wish I was more like him, but I’m not, and I never will be. I wish you could accept that.” I wish you could accept me.

The words went unspoken, but Robert heard them all the same and an uneasy ache blossomed beneath his ribcage. Did Freddy truly believe that? Did he truly believe Robert wished George was here instead of him? Guilt curdled in his stomach like soured milk.

“I know you’re not like George,” he said gruffly. “And I don’t expect you to be. I just…” He trailed off, struggling to find the right words. “I do miss him, yes. Every day. But I’ve never once wished it was you that—“ The words lodged in his throat, too terrible to voice aloud.

Freddy was silent, his gaze trained on the floor. And then, in a low voice, he said, “I miss him, too.”

Robert nodded, swallowing past the lump in his throat. George was the peacemaker of the Darrington siblings. He could communicate with anyone and seemed to know precisely what to say to soothe ruffled feathers and flared tempers. He was the bridge Robert had relied on whenever he struggled to find common ground with Freddy.

Even now, all these years later, he still hadn’t filled all the holes George had left behind when he died.

Sighing deeply, Robert raked a hand through his hair. “You’re my brother, Freddy. I care about you.” He cleared his throat, choosing his next words carefully. “But I worry about you, too. You seem…discontent, as if you’re searching for something. And I think marriage to a woman like Miss Wrencroft might provide a piece of whatever it is you’re looking for.”

Freddy’s jaw ticked, and then he blew out a long sigh, as if to say, I don’t know what I’m looking for. But it was the closest he came to admitting it out loud.

“I know you believe you’re not ready for marriage,” Robert said. “But I think the right woman would change your mind.”

Freddy slid him a look. “And you think this Miss Wrencroft is the right woman for me?”

His heart gave a painful twist. No, damn it all. She’s the right woman for me.

But he shoved the thought away and mimicked a casual shrug. “I think she could be. Why don’t you ask her to dance and find out for yourself?”

Freddy mulled it over for a long moment, and then he nodded. “I admit, you have intrigued me. I think I will ask Miss Wrencroft to dance.” He cast his gaze over the crowd. “Where is she? Do you see her?”

Robert notched his chin toward the other end of the room. “By the rear doors, standing with her mother. Just follow the bright yellow hat.”

With murmured thanks, Freddy handed Robert his empty champagne flute and set off alone, pushing through the crowd with his usual confident strides.

Robert watched him go with grim satisfaction. There, he thought. I’ve done my part. I can move on now.