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Thomas laughed and stepped forward to embrace his brother in greeting. “If you missed me so much, you could have come out to the country yourself to visit.”
“That’s certainly true,” their mother sniffed, coming up beside Thomas. “Must I get all of your updates from your brother, Gerard? In all these months, you’ve only written me directly twice.”
“What can I say, Mother? Someone had to be here to keep things in order.” Gerard offered her his arm. “Come, now, I’ve asked the staff to have lunch ready for your arrival.”
The townhouse’s interior bore little resemblance to the way Thomas remembered it from childhood. New artwork lined the walls. The furniture was a more modern style, and someone had arranged it differently. Gerard had insisted on the updates after Father’s funeral, claiming that a redesign would make the grieving process more bearable.
Thomas thought it looked like the home of a stranger.
Still, despite their differences in taste, Thomas was glad to see his brother. “I have missed your company these last months, Gerard,” he said, once they were seated at the dining table. “It seems I’m only just beginning to feel the brunt of how long I’ve been away.”
His mother’s eyes grew misty. Gerard got a tight look on his face. “Well, you’re here now, and we certainly have more than a little to discuss.”
“I completely agree.” Thomas took a deep breath. “As intimidating as it may be, it’s high time I re-familiarized myself with our family’s business interests here in London.”
Gerard nodded, but before he could properly respond, Mother cut in, waving the conversation away. “Oh, come now, boys. We’ve only just gotten back together as a family. Surely there will be time to talk business later?”
Thomas made eye contact with Gerard across the table. His brother had an exasperated look in his eyes that seemed to say,Yes, but it would be more productive to talk business now.
Thomas laughed at the familiar sight. Gerard really hadn’t changed all that much in the time he’d been away. “What would you rather discuss, Mother?”
“Well, first and foremost, the dinner party I’m planning on hosting later this week,” Mother said smugly, as one of the servants began slicing her meat.
“Dinner party?” Thomas hoped the wariness didn’t show too much in his voice. In one fell swoop, the comfort and security he’d regained from Gerard’s presence evaporated, as the impending Season bared its teeth once more.
“Yes, a dinner party.” Mother gave Thomas a warning look. “I know you are anxious about your new-found responsibilities, Thomas, but you must remember, there is more to being Duke of Elvington than business.”
“I understand that,” said Thomas, hoping his panic didn’t show through. He already had a great deal to fret over, just with re-learning the London side of their business operations. “It’s just a little much all at once. Don’t you think?”
Mother put down her silverware, and suddenly, Thomas felt all of five-years-old again, bracing himself for an icy scolding.
“You have been a recluse in the country for months now,” Mother said, voice flat. “That is all well and good for a grieving son. But the Season has begun, whether you like it or not. And I will not. Have. People. Talking.”
Thomas had no idea what people would find so interesting to gossip about where he was concerned. What did it matter if he continued conducting his business remotely through Gerard? Though, admittedly, the business side of being the Duke of Elvington wasn’t the issue.
Ah. This is about finding a bride.
Honestly, it seemed as though the business side of the dukedom didn’t matter to Mother at all.
“And who, may I ask, are you planning to have in attendance?” Thomas asked, averting his eyes and going about slicing his own food.
“Oh, the Duke and Duchess of Horwich, among others.”
Thomas recognized the names, but enough time had passed since he’d properly interacted with theton, he could not place their faces.
“Their daughter, Lady Letitia, is a charming girl,” Mother added pointedly when Thomas didn’t respond. “I hear her company is extremely sought after by many eligible bachelors.”
Thomas tried harder to visualize Lady Leticia. A vague memory surfaced of a small girl with bouncy blonde curls who tended to cry at the slightest discomfort. “Congratulations to those gentlemen,” he said, unenthused. “I certainly wish them well.”
“Thomas.”
“All right, yes, I apologize.” Thomas regarded his half-eaten plate with little appetite. “I promise to act appropriately civil at the party.”
“You will do more than act ‘appropriately civil,’” said Mother. “You will be the charming person I know you can be. People will love you, once they get to know you properly again.”
Thomas looked across the table at Gerard, beckoning with his eyes for some assistance. Gerard just smiled and said, “I’m sure it will be a fine evening, Mother.”
It took all of Thomas’ willpower not to kick his brother’s shin under the table. Despite the redesign, being back in his childhood home truly had left him feeling younger. He couldn’t behave so childishly anymore, not now that he was the Duke.
Thomas sighed and sipped at his drink, swallowing his loss once more.
