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Adam snorted. “That is not what I want.”
Richard drummed his fingers against his desk. Adam had been becoming restless for quite some time. He had noticed it. But he hoped that his brother would settle into his role and sooner or later embrace the life of a landowner.
Apparently not. But there was more than one way to cure restlessness. “Our sisters found their passion in marriage, and so can you. There are plenty of ladies under this roof at the moment. Why don’t you see if anyone is to your liking?” Richard looked around the desk for a guest list. He’d seen it just a moment ago. “Ah! Here’s the guest list, you can even look through it and—”
“No need.” Adam narrowed his eyes at his brother, his gaze calculating. “If marriage is what you think I need, perhaps there is one lady I like.”
“Truly?” Richard dropped the list and studied Adam’s features. He didn’t like the expression on Adam’s face.
“Yes, a beautiful, exotic actress by the name of Jos—”
“Don’t even finish that sentence,” Richard growled.
Adam let out a bark of laughter. “Oh, brother. I did not know the depth of your infatuation.”
“That’s none of your business,” Richard gritted out. “But it’s not like you can marry an actress, anyway. So—”
“Why not?” Adam shrugged.
Richard raised his eyes heavenward. “You know why not. We cannot invite scandal onto our family. And a scandal is what an actress is sure to bring.” Richard swallowed, not breathing for a few moments as he said the damning words.
Adam studied him through narrowed slits. “So you are going to marry a respectable English miss, and I should stay by your side and help you with your estates. Does everybody but us get to be happy?”
Richard pursed his lips, holding back a smile. “Find yourself your respectable English miss, and I’ll see you happy, too.”
“You make it sound very simple, brother,” Adam said with a sigh.
“It is simple. A family is what makes a man happy.”
Adam let out a sigh again as if this conversation was turning him into an old man. “I am not certain I am ready to settle down with a family and half a dozen babes. Besides, you are not getting married. You are idling away your time with a scrumptious actress. Why should I be the first to marry?”
Richard watched his brother through narrowed eyes before relaxing in his chair. “I am getting married, brother. I am announcing my betrothal during the closing ball of the house party.”
Adam’s mouth fell open. “You are? Who is the lady?”
Richard grimaced. “Miss Beatrice Fowley. I hear she has sisters, too. So perhaps you’ll find yourself enchanted with one of them.”
Adam closed his mouth for a brief moment, his gaze restless. “And are you enchanted with her?”
Richard shrugged. “I am doing my duty. And so should you.”
Adam frowned. “Do you truly just want us to be miserable?”
“I want what’s best for you, Adam,” Richard growled. “You were quite successful at the Secretary at War. Perhaps you should consider diplomatic work again. That would serve your purpose and help you travel. But I would rather you got married, settled down, and helped me with my estates,” he finished with a grin.
Adam rolled his eyes. “Just hire more people. You can afford to.”
“I know how you feel, brother. Believe me. I felt the same way. I didn’t know my purpose and—”
“You are a viscount,” Adam said dryly. “Your purpose was laid out to you the day you were born. Literally.”
Richard swallowed. “Yes, and I had no chance to pursue any other passion I might have had in life. I don’t get to gallivant around the world and enjoy numerous affairs because I have an estate to look after, and I need to assume my full duties by marrying. And I am doing all that. But what if I die? It is not out of the realm of possibility. What then? With you out on the Continent, who will be prepared to take the reins? Alan? He is just out of the schoolroom, and he is not my heir presumptive. I am not trying to be difficult, brother, but I have to think of the future. I always had to.” He stood. “Are we done? Because there is a certain actress I need to see.”
Adam watched him with a deep frown on his face. At that last, he raised a brow. “Go on then, brother. I’ll stay right where I am.”
Richard paused, watching Adam’s thoughtful countenance. He hated being harsh and final with his siblings. But he always had to be that way. Someone had to be that way, and that duty always fell onto him.
But perhaps if Adam found himself a bride, he wouldn’t be as forlorn, and he would embrace his duty as the heir presumptive. Of course, once Richard produced a son, this issue would be moot. But until then…
