AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Richard grunted. Fair point. He looked at his hands.
“What can I offer her, Thomas?”
“You can offer her love. Something she has a passion for. You two have so much in common it’s frightening. I was expecting you two to marry ages ago. The way Isabel is around you says she adores you, and I know you adore her. Becoming husband and wife almost seemed natural.” Thomas frowned. “If her father hadn’t been so stupid with his money, I can see you two living a happy life.”
Richard felt like he had woken up in a strange world this morning. This couldn’t be his brother talking to him like this. How was that possible? Thomas normally chastised him over everything. He looked up.
“What do you think I should do?”
“Go after her. If you love her, you have to stand up to Galliston.”
“But what about the expedition and the money?”
“Don’t worry about that. You focus on what you want.” Thomas fixed him with a hard stare. “Do you want the expedition more than her?”
“Of course not.”
“Then go after the woman you love. Don’t surrender now because you’ve been threatened. Keep going and tell Galliston that you’re not going away.”
It sounded so simple, but Richard didn’t think he could do it.
“What about the money they need? They won’t have anything if she marries me.”
Thomas smiled.
“There are times when that doesn’t matter. And I’m sure you’ll be resourceful enough to make that bit right.”
“You think so?”
“I know so.”
Richard mulled this over. Thomas was right. He couldn’t sit back and just let everything go on. The expedition didn’t matter if he couldn’t have the woman he loved. He swallowed.
“I never thought I would be getting advice from you.”
“There’s always a first time for everything.” Thomas pushed off the tree and held out a hand. “Come on, let’s get back. You get yourself packed and back to London. Then you plan your next move. I’ll come with you if you want.”
“You would?”
“When my little brother needs help, it’s up to me to be around. Besides,” Thomas shrugged as he tugged Richard to his feet, “I’ve spent the last couple of years learning how to talk to nobility when I’m trying to navigate the rules. I have a feeling you’re going to need someone who can distract Galliston while you talk to Isabel.”
Richard felt his throat tighten.
“Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet.” Thomas squeezed his brother’s arm. “Come on; let’s go home. We’ve got a lot to do.”
