Page 12 of Married to the Rake

Brook sighed. “I suppose I cannot. But before anything of the sort happens, I must address this situation with my father. This disagreement is taking its toll. My hope is to have this argument finally put to rest so he can do the same.”

“Well I wish you luck, Waverley, I really do.”

“But you do not think it will be that easy.”

“Even with Miss Larkin’s aid, a centuries old rift will not be easy to repair.” Benedict stood and topped up their glasses before sitting once more. “I will do whatever you need, though.”

Brook drained the drink quickly, allowing the alcohol to warm his insides and soothe away any doubt. He didn’t think it would be easy exactly but with Miss Larkin’s help, he could not fail surely.

They whiled a few more hours away, discussing London and fellow acquaintances and Brook was grateful to forget the border matter for a while. By the time he returned home, however, his father was waiting for him in the entrance hallway. His cheeks were ruddy, making his white hair and sideburns seem more stark.

“Where the devil have you been?”

Brook finished removing his gloves before glancing at the top of the stairs, where his father waited. Taking the steps slowly, he descended them until he was in front of Brook.

“Well?” his father demanded. “I hear tell that the boundary line has been moved again. I need to have it moved back as soon as possible.”

Brook resisted the desire to roll his eyes. “You only checked yesterday, Father.”

His father huffed, his creased cheeks turning red. “One day, this shall be yours. That land shall be yours and I would not have it stolen from you by those upstart Larkins. I would hope you care about your inheritance as much as I do.”

“I am grateful for everything you’ve given me, Father. I care very much about our land. But —”

His father spun on his heel, marching toward the library before Brook could finish his sentence. As Brook followed him, his father muttered to himself. Mostly of how ungrateful Brook was, and how horrible the Larkins were. Brook released a long breath. This feud needed to end. This anger and frustration was not doing his father any good.

Brook pursued him into the library. His father sat by the fireplace and snapped open a book, apparently ignoring his son’s presence. Brook put himself directly in front of the fireplace where his father could not avoid him.

“Father, I have no wish to anger you…” he began.

His father snapped the book shut. “Then you would be as diligent at safeguarding your inheritance as you are to enjoying yourself.”

“When the time comes, which is a long, long way away, I shall be as diligent as ever, I promise.”

His father made a dismissive noise and turned his attention back to the book.

“Perhaps if I understood exactly why you continue this dispute with the Larkins…” Brook had heard many tales of the history between the families, but if he could glean some extra information, something that would help repair the rift, it would be worth listening to his father’s side of things.

His father’s jaw tensed. He eased the book shut once more and lifted his attention to Brook. “I do not continue this dispute. In fact, I would have put an end to it years ago, if it were not for what a bastard that Marcus Larkin is.”

Brook scowled. As far as he knew, Marcus Larkin was well-respected. Was it his father’s personal feelings toward him coloring his view of him, or was it something else?

“What do you mean, you would have put an end to it?”

Easing himself out of the chair, his father came to stand beside the fireplace, propping an elbow on it. He stared briefly into the empty grate before glancing at Brook. “I had every intention of settling the dispute over the land when I was a young man. In fact, Larkin and I even discussed the matter.”

Brook blinked. “You and Mr. Larkin had a conversation about the land?”

“I was an idealist. I thought we came to an arrangement but I was wrong.”

“What happened?”

“He revealed his true nature.” His father curled the fist that was resting on the fireplace mantel.

“True nature?” Brook echoed.

“He took the woman I was to marry from me,” he spat.

Brook stared at his father for a few moments. This was the first he’d heard of there being any woman other than his mother. As far as he knew, his parents were happily married and there had never been anyone else intended for them.

“Who was this woman? How did he take her from you?”

“The bastard bedded her, he did. Did it deliberately so that I would find them. Then, before she could change her mind, he wed her.”

“You were in love with Georgiana Larkin?” Though Brook was sure Miss Larkin’s mother was a fine woman, he could not imagine his father having any feelings for her.

His father shook his head. “No. Georgiana is his second wife. Julia died within months of their wedding. Consumption.” His shoulders rounded and he dropped his gaze to the floor.

Brook pressed his lips together. No wonder his father was still angry. Marcus Larkin had stolen his father’s first love. Maybe, this was a big mistake. Maybe he should not be repairing the rift at all but should be taking up the mantle himself.

Damn it.

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