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“It’s a shame. I do wish that he was here, but I hope he gets better.” Blackmore clapped his hands. “Right, let’s go and get our horses. The pheasants and deer aren’t going to wait for us.”
Rafe picked up his rifle.
“Ready when you are, Father.”
Still wearing a broad grin, Blackmore headed in the direction of the stables. Rafe followed him, Richard falling into step beside him. Gregory and Sebastien followed, Sebastien’s face still looking like a thundercloud.
“So,” Rafe heard Gregory say suddenly, “who was Blackmore trying to get you to marry now, Sebastien? Or is he just that determined to get you to marry anyone?”
“He says he’s got the perfect young lady who is willing to marry me without worrying about anything except doing her duty,” Sebastien grumbled. “I told him it’s not going to happen. Especially not with the woman in question.”
Gregory sounded amused.
“Not quite a woman of your tastes, then?”
“Not when the woman in question is my brother’s lady.”
Rafe stopped and spun around. He thought he hadn’t heard correctly.
“What did you say? Did Father just….”
“Did Father say I should have Katherine Romaine as my wife?” Sebastien nodded. “Yes, he did.”
Rafe really couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Katherine was his woman. They were in love, and Rafe had been planning on making her his wife. He had brought Katherine to the house plenty of times, and his father knew about this. Why would he suddenly say something like that?
“What?” Richard looked just as shocked. “But, he…he can’t do that!”
“Can he not?” Gregory looked slightly smug. “After all, she’s being courted by two different gentlemen. What’s one more added to that?”
“What are you talking about?” Rafe demanded.
“Didn’t you know? My little cousin is sweet on her as well.” Gregory arched an eyebrow. “I thought dear Lady Katherine would have told you that she’s been in your friend’s embrace a few times.”
Rafe felt like Gregory might have gotten less of a reaction if he had just punched him. He turned to Richard, who was looking a little uncomfortable.
“Is this true?”
“I….”
Richard hesitated, but Rafe could see the truth in his eyes. He was courting Katherine as well. Rafe felt nauseous. Of all the people to hurt him like this, why did it have to be Richard?
Shock turned into rage, and Rafe reacted. He brought up his rifle and smacked Richard in the face with the butt. Richard yowled and stumbled back, clutching at his face. Almost immediately, Sebastien got in between them and held Rafe back as he started towards Richard.
“Don’t! How’s that going to solve anything?”
“It’ll make me feel better,” Rafe snarled. He glowered at Richard, wishing his brother would get out of the way. “You knew she was mine! You knew I was going to marry her! Why did you do this to me?”
Richard straightened up. He was bleeding from the mouth, blood dripping off his chin as he glared back.
“You think she was yours? She didn’t want to marry you, but she didn’t know how to tell you that she didn’t want to be with you. She was scared of how you would react.”
“You’re lying!”
“You think I would lie about something like this?”
Rafe gritted his teeth. He really wanted to throw Sebastien aside and attack Richard again, but moving his brother would be practically impossible, not when he was this solid.
“Why would you do that to me? You’re my best friend. Why?”
