Page 1 of The Duke's Treasure
CHAPTER 1
ENGLAND, 1735
The walls of Castleton were closing in on him.
At least, that was what it felt like, with the weight of his responsibilities pressing him into the very ground he tread, and the life he had been doomed to from birth stretching out before him.
And there didn’t seem to be anything he could do about it.
He had considered whether he should fake his own death. Allow his brother to become the Duke of Sheffield. He was far better suited for the position. Edward’s entire childhood might have been preparing him to become one of the most powerful men in England, but that didn’t change the fact that Arthur was the one who possessed the temperament for the role.
“If only we were twins,” Edward said aloud now, causing his brother to look up from where he was bent over a ledger in the corner of the study. A study that was now Edward’s, but it was Arthur who utilized it for its true purpose.
“Why would you desire such a thing?” Arthur murmured, pushing his spectacles up his nose.
“If we were identical, we could switch positions and no one would ever be the wiser. How unfortunate that we look so different.”
Arthur snorted and turned back to his ledger. “How would you capture the attentions of all your women if you looked like me?”
“I never said we should look like you,” Edward countered with a chuckle, “but you know that if you actually looked a woman in the eye, they would be far more interested than with this standoffish air you have about you. Besides, it’s not my dashing good looks that entice the young ladies. It’s my title and fortune.”
“You’ll have to choose a wife eventually,” Arthur said, ignoring Edward’s analysis of his inability to speak to women.
“Not necessarily,” Edward said with a shrug. “You can also carry on the line.”
“Do not pass those responsibilities onto me,” Arthur said. “Besides, Mother intends for you to marry Lady Jane.”
Edward snorted. “I have no intentions of marrying her.”
“Why not?” Arthur asked in a strangled voice.
“Because she practically flees when she sees me,” Edward said, before pointing a snide gaze toward Arthur. “Besides, how could I marry her when you are in love with her?”
Arthur’s jaw dropped open. “I am not.”
“No need to lie,” Edward said. “It is not your words. It is how you look at her, how you act around her. You should tell her how you feel.”
“No thank you. She is your betrothed.”
“She is not my betrothed. That is a scheme of another’s doing.” Time to change the subject. “You would make a much better father than I ever would.”
“You would be a fine father if you ever stayed in one place.” Arthur set his pen back within the inkwell now, turning around and giving Edward his full attention. “You do know that you can no longer go running about the world. You have responsibilities here now.”
“Do I really, though?” Edward said, winging up one of his generous eyebrows. “Why do I have to stay when you enjoy all of this so much?”
Arthur sighed, folding his arms across his chest. “I cannot take your seat in the House of Lords. I cannot make final decisions for you. And I will not be the one responsible for all who are under your authority. I will, however, help you as I have been doing. But only if you stop all of your nonsense.”
“Arthur, don’t be like that,” Edward said, tilting his head and looking at his brother imploringly from his seat on the corner chaise lounge, where he had been resting his head. Edward leaned back against it now, closing his eyes. “I can bring the family much fortune.”
“We already have a fortune,” Arthur said, exasperation evident in his tone. “Do not insult me by thinking I would fall for that. I know you far too well.”
“Very well,” Edward said, his hand falling to the side, and he opened his eyes, meeting his brother’s gaze. “But you know why I do what I do. It is the excitement that drives me. The thrill of discovery. Who would I be if I was not on the hunt of my next treasure?”
“You are Edward Sutcliffe, Duke of Sheffield. That is who you are. Nearly every other man in this country would give anything to take your place.”
“They can have it.”
Arthur snorted. “And you would take the life of a working man? Tied to one place without means to travel a few towns over, let alone across the continent?”
