Page 82 of Miss Determined
What response did Purvis expect to this news? What reaction would most thoroughly gratify him and give Trevor time to adjust to this revelation?
Amaryllis had said that London was like one big stage play. Trevor again adopted the disdainful tones he’d heard so often from his father.
“I cannot possibly have a brother, much less one full grown and somehow farming—of all the impossibilities—with one arm. Papa went to extraordinary lengths to ensure the title had both heir and spare, and he would have told me if I had a legitimate younger brother.”
Purvis settled behind his desk, no doubt an intentional rudeness when Trevor remained on his feet.
“No, he would not. A child who could not crawl, who was slow to speak, who didn’t look much like him? Your mother never forgave the marquess for separating her from the boy, but she did make the occasional journey to Lark’s Nest. That was the bargain she struck: Lord Phillip would be raised in obscurity, albeit in reasonable comfort, and he’d be provided for. Your mother had you to dote on and a duty to produce more little lordlings just like you—a duty she failed.”
“Do I even own Lark’s Nest?” The old marquess could not have put the question more peevishly, for which Trevor silently apologized to Phil—tohis brother.
“You do, but Lord Phillip has a life estate, provided he keeps to the local surrounds. A codicil to your father’s will provides that if Phillip attempts to move in polite society, then he loses his life estate. Wrote that up myself—Smithers was too delicate to come up with the actual wording—and a nice bit of draftsmanship it is too. A very lucky day for me. The luckiest.”
Probably an unenforceable bit of draftsmanship. Purvis had banished Phillip from his birthright knowing that all the conniving and chicanery gave Purvis a hold on the marquessate.
“Many aristocratic families fall far short of perfection,” Trevor said. “The current Duke of Devonshire is all but deaf, Byron has a club foot, the very king is mad. Do you truly believe I will cede control of my assets to you because of this supposed brother?”
Purvis appeared to consider the question for the first time. “I do, yes. Society takes any hint of bad blood seriously, regardless of titles or fortunes. Your brother is not only physically cursed, he’s also said to be eccentric and none too bright. Talks to the birds, wears rags, that sort of thing. Perhaps you should make his acquaintance before you champion the relationship.”
“He is my brother. No flaw, shortcoming, or human failing will inspire me to overlook the existence of my only living sibling. I hope Lord Phillip shares that sentiment.”
Purvis smiled pityingly. “Stubborn, like your father. If you’re determined to be difficult, then know that I will take it upon myself to speculate to certain parties about your step-mother. You are fond of her. She is fond of the Dornings. I amnotfond of the Dornings or their connections. If that argument doesn’t convince you, let me assure you, Miss Hecate Brompton’s standing in Society hangs by a thread, and her standing is all she has to recommend her besides those settlements. She’s not pretty, not charming, and even her fortune hasn’t been enough to gain her a husband. Her spinsterhood and ruin will lie at your honorable feet, my lord. Need I go on?”
If Purvis got wind that Trevor intended to court Amaryllis… “You’ve said enough. What your schemes lack in sophistication, they make up for in simplicity.”
“You have much to think about, don’t you?”
No honorific, not even a politesirappended to the question. “I’m not out of mourning for my cousin, and you launch this… this assault on my house. Of course I have much to think about.”
“Speaking of your cousin, my lord, the bills have started arriving from France. Jerome was living very comfortably indeed.”
Purvis’s announcement, did he but know it, was a hoped-for ray of sunshine, as ifgaining a brotherwasn’t marvelous enough. And such a brother. Faultless memory, voracious intellect, subtle humor, hardworking, a good neighbor.
An all-around estimable fellow, who needed to be acknowledged as such, at the proper time.
For present purposes, Trevor produced a scowl. “I cannot be expected to deal with—what was it?—invoices for beer and boot black when you’ve just upended my entire existence. If the invoices are legitimate, you will deal with them. To think that my father could be so foolish…”
“He was proud and shrewd, and my hope for you is that you can uphold his legacy in the manner he’d understand.”
I will pummel Purvis to death with Blackstone’sCommentaries.
In the midst of overwhelming delight at realizing he had a brother, Trevor was also angry. His ire was on his own behalf and even more so for Phillip. His rage was also on behalf of Miss Brompton, Jeanette, the Dornings, the wretched clerks, and every other current or prospective victim of Purvis’s scheming, which included the DeWitt ladies.
“Why do this?” Trevor asked. “The solicitor’s profession is honorable, respected, and well compensated. Why break the law you’ve sworn to uphold?”
“None of your business, my lord, but suffice it to say, your father figured prominently in my own sister’s reduced expectations. She was a diamond, the belle of the Town, accomplished in every respect. If she’d made the right match, the Purvises would have risen with her, but your father toyed with her affections, and she had to settle for a damned wool merchant. I am not breaking the law, you see. I am pursuing justice.”
Purvis rose from the desk and stood by the door. “You will pursue Hecate Brompton.”
No, I shall not.“First, I shall finish proper mourning. Then I will look in on the family seat, the property even you could not bring yourself to pillage. If I’m to court Miss Brompton, she will be told of Lord Phillip’s circumstances prior to any settlements being signed, lest she or her family cry foul.”
“I give you a week,” Purvis said. “One week to pout and sulk in the great Vincent family tradition, and then you will stand up with Miss Brompton, ride out with her, and escort her when she goes shopping for bonnets. If you turn up contrary, you will leave me no choice but to take measures you will regret. Good day.”
He opened the door and gestured for Trevor to leave.
What a rubbishing toad. “I’m off to Surrey.”
“Godspeed, and see that you are back in London within a week.”
