Page 41 of Foolish Bride
“What was the wager?” Michael asked.
Everett’s eyes shone with regret. “I bet him that I could beat him at chess, and that the Rollins’ intellect was such that we could not be defeated by such a slug as him. I was angry, and I lost my head. I said you would marry Lady Elinor, proving that the rumors about you were not true and that I could beat him at chess.”
Relief flooded Michael’s heart that the wager hadn’t been something more personal. “Can I assume that you did not win the chess match?”
“I lost miserably. I never stood a chance. Lemmy is a master at chess.”
It was likely an exaggeration. “You will have to practice for next term. When you come home for the summer break, we shall play every day, and you will improve. In the meantime, I will pay your debt, Everett. I am flattered by your loyalty and proud to call you ‘brother.’ It could not have been easy to live with all that was happening here in London while you were cloistered away at school, never hearing from me. I promise I shall write more often to both you and Sheldon. I have been remiss, and I apologize.”
“I am sorry, Michael. I should have been smarter. I should not have let Lemmy get under my skin.”
“I have met young Roxton’s brother, and he was quite annoying. If Lemmy is anything like him, I understand.”
“Are you going to marry Lady Elinor?”
Nearly every moment of the past few months, he’d spent wondering that same thing. “I love her, but it is complicated. If she will have me, then I will marry her. Currently the Duke of Middleton is giving me some competition, and I have made some grave mistakes with regard to her feelings. I am trying to rectify the situation.”
Everett opened his mouth as if to speak, then closed it and wordlessly nodded.
Michael sat next to Everett and clapped him on the back. “Stay the night and have dinner with me. We can have a game of chess, and in the morning, I will see you back to school. Perhaps I will have a chance to see Sheldon as well. You will be home in a couple of weeks, and we will spend some time together. We can all go to the Marlton house party together. Mother will be pleased.”
Everett smiled brightly and looked more boy than man. “I am really sorry, Michael, but I appreciate your understanding.”
“Come, let’s pester Dalton for something to eat, then we can take a ride in the park before supper.”
Chapter 10
The ride to Eton was delightful. It was warm for June, and another sunny day kept the roads fine and dry. Michael and Everett spoke of sport and classes. He hadn’t spent this much time with Everett since he was home from his own school breaks.
When he was ten years old, his father had announced that he would have a sibling in a few months. Even at that young age, Michael thought it odd that Mother would give birth to another child at twenty-nine, which he considered quite old at the time. When Everett was born, he had been fascinated by the baby. When home for breaks, he would stare with amazement at how the child grew with every visit. Three years later, Tabitha brought Sheldon into the world. She was then two and thirty, and most of London was gossiping about having children at her advancing age.
He had gone to Tabitha one Christmas break after an older student had informed him that his mother would die if she continued to have more children. She cried and hugged him, but they never spoke about it again, and she did not have any more children. Michael had no idea if his plea had anything to do with the result.
By this time, he was almost fourteen. He was at Eton and doing well. Sheldon was just an infant and he’d seen one of those before. He was busy with studies and friends, and by the time his brothers were old enough to be interesting, he was grown and starting his own life. Then their father died, and there was no time for anything but cleaning up the mess left behind.
Perhaps he would have more time to get to know the boys. After Everett’s confession of his debt, the two had spent the afternoon together, and in the evening played two rounds of chess. Everett was smart and easy to speak to. He was far too serious for his age, but perhaps that would work out with time and the security Michael intended to give him.
Michael vowed to make more time for his brothers, and while they were home, they would spend time with Mother as a family. With their father gone, there was no need to be cautious. No drunken rages were likely.
Eton College came into view. Its majestic halls and tall spires had stood since the 1400s, daunting and magnificent. Michael cherished his memories of his time there.
They stepped down from the carriage, and he turned to Everett. “You had best get your robe and go to class. You are likely to get some trouble for running off, but I will try to smooth it over with the headmaster.”
“Thank you, Michael. See you in two weeks.” He smiled and held out his hand.
Michael took it and pulled Everett in for a hug. “Now off with you.”
Everett’s smile brightened, and he ran toward his rooms.
* * * *
Directed to the main hall, Michael found Sheldon confined to a small room.
At fourteen, Sheldon was tall, gangly, and in trouble again. Sheldon looked up, his bright blue eyes filled with contempt. One of them was ringed with a dark bruise. His chin was also bruised, though that one was older and greenish-yellow.
When Michael walked in, Sheldon’s expression changed to something between horror and joy. He stood. “Have I been sacked?”
Michael couldn’t believe how much Sheldon had grown in a few months. “No. Not yet.”
