Page 40 of Foolish Bride
Everett nodded and placed the book back on the shelf. Squirming, he pushed dark hair back from his brown eyes.
Michael sat on the couch and gestured for Everett to sit. “You were not expected for two more weeks, Everett. Then I supposed you would join Mother in the country.”
“I have run into some issues that I thought might be best to discuss with you rather than with Mother.” Everett ignored Michael’s invitation and crossed to the chair.
“I see. Then you had best tell me about it, and we shall see what can be done.”
Everett stared wide-eyed. “You are not angry?”
“Not yet. I have always found you to have a very rational countenance. I regret that our age difference has not allowed us to have the time to become closer, but I always thought that once you had grown and we were both men, that would change. You are nearly a man. Whatever has happened must be grave, but you did not run and hide from whatever the trouble is. You came home to confront me, which could not have been easy for you. I respect that. I cannot guarantee that once you enlighten me, I won’t be furious, but I am not Father, Everett. I do not lose my temper without due cause.”
“Yes, well, Father was drunk most of the time.” Everett sounded like a man far beyond his seventeen years.
Michael should have stepped between his brothers and father long ago. He’d been too occupied with his career, and let them suffer for it. “I am quite sober, so why don’t you start at the beginning and tell me what happened?”
“I need one hundred pounds,” he stated flatly.
Michael raised an eyebrow. “That sounds more like the end of the story than the beginning, Everett.”
“Perhaps it is.” He stood and paced. Then he stopped and faced Michael. “You should have written when you were raised to duke.”
It should have occurred to him that it was big news in England, and his brothers should have heard it firsthand. “I assumed Mother would inform you and Sheldon. But perhaps you are correct. I apologize.”
Arms akimbo, Everett frowned at the floor.
Michael tried to be direct but kind. “Everett, I find it is best to start at the beginning of the tale. If fear of my wrath is holding you back, I promise not to interrupt until you have said your piece. You can be assured I do not have our father’s temper. I have never struck you, nor do I intend to alter that fact today.”
Straightening to his full height, Everett met his gaze. “I am not afraid of you, Michael.”
“I am glad to hear it.”
“I just don’t want you to think I am a fool.”
“I could never think that. I am quite proud of you, Everett, and always have been.”
“You are not making this easier.” He kicked at the carpet, took a deep breath, and sat facing Michael. “I have a classmate by the name of Lemmy. His real name is Lamont Roxton.”
Not another Roxton to deal with.Michael groaned.
“I have never really liked Lemmy, and I admit it was mostly because I have always thought that anyone who allowed people to call him such a foolish name must be an idiot. So I have avoided any friendship over the years.”
“That seems wise.” Michael was both amused and impressed by his brother’s reasoning.
Everett nodded. “When you became a duke, Mother did write, and I was quite pleased for you, as was Sheldon. We spoke of it, and I think Sheldon even boasted to his friends. However, the rumors of your injury rather overwhelmed your promotion. It was all either of us could do to fend off slurs against you, and Sheldon was reprimanded twice for fighting.”
“I was not aware of that.” Michael’s gut twisted.
“Mother was notified, but she probably didn’t want to trouble you with such things.”
He would make a note to speak to Mother about sharing the burdens of raising the boys. “What does any of this have to do with Roxton?”
“Lemmy began to badger me about your title. I didn’t know why you had been given the dukedom, Michael. Frankly, I still don’t, but I assumed you deserved it. I never once thought you might have paid for the title of duke. That is what Lemmy kept saying. He would approach me daily to say that you were a pretender. I ignored him at first, but then he started to say such things in public and this I could not tolerate. I would not have our family name disparaged. I was sure you would never buy a title.”
“I appreciate your loyalty, Everett. You are correct. It was my sacrifices for the crown that earned me the title. I am not certain I deserved such a large prize, but His Highness determined it is my due. I am pleased the lands and income from them will allow you, Mother, and Sheldon to live comfortably for the rest of your lives.”
Everett scoffed and fiddled with the rope trim on the edge of the seat cushion. “You had already assured that by paying off Father’s debts and making the Rollins lands profitable again. I think we can allow that you deserved what you got for your trouble.
“Lemmy would not let it alone, though. He continued to badger me, and one night I was tired and we had been drinking some brandy that Ralph Skivington had pinched from his father. Lemmy pushed and pushed until I agreed to a wager.” Putting the pillow aside, Everett looked at his hands.
