Page 33 of A Wager With A Rake
Spending time with Eli wasn’t enough to eliminate the pain of missing Theodosia, but it at least numbed it.Instead of downing pour after pour of brandy, he taught Eli to ride a horse, took him on a tour of the estate, and ensured that June met some of the other tenants so she might make a few friends of her own.There was even a gentleman she appeared to have taken a mutual interest in.They were settling in like the pair were meant to be there.
“You’re my hero,” Eli declared randomly one afternoon as they walked the estate grounds together, his tiny hand clasping Court’s large one.“Just like a knight.I want to grow up to be just like you.I know I cannot be the earl, but I can be a good man, just as you are.”
Court paused, throat tightening with emotion.A hero?A good man?If only that were true.He still felt so unworthy.Not just because of his father’s words, but the way he’d behaved to spite the man.
Laying a gentle hand on the boy’s shoulder, Court made a silent vow.He would not fail his brother as their father had failed them both.Come what may, Eli would always know he was loved and valued.
And maybe, just maybe, once he succeeded, Court could learn to see that worth in himself too.One day.
As they neared the house, the clatter of hooves and carriage wheels pulled Court from his thoughts.He turned to see an opulent carriage rolling up the drive, the Mulgrave crest gleaming on its polished doors.
“Rebecca?”he murmured, heart lifting at the surprise arrival of his sister.He’d written to her about Eli, knowing she would welcome their new sibling into the family fold.She had always possessed a gentle soul.She was everything he wasn’t.
As the carriage drew to a halt, the footman leaped down to assist its occupants.First emerged the Earl of Mulgrave, Rebecca’s husband, Harrison.He reached back, carefully taking his daughter, Theo, in his arms.She was one year old and already had a cascade of red curls that matched her father’s.Rebecca had named the girl after Theodosia, and the ache returned to Court’s heart.
Next came Rebecca herself with the help of her husband’s hand, radiant despite the advanced swell of her stomach.Court hadn’t always been an attentive brother, frequently caught up with his own distractions and vices, but he was truly happy for his sister.And proud of the loving family she had created for herself.
“Sister, what a delightful surprise!”He approached and enfolded her in a gentle hug, mindful of her condition.“I didn’t expect you to travel in your state.”
Rebecca laughed, returning his embrace with fervor.“As if I could stay away after your letter!I had to meet our brother without delay.Although my husband took a bit of convincing.”
Court extended his hand to Harrison, shaking the hand that wasn’t supporting his niece.“Good man,” Court said approvingly, then tickled his niece’s chin.
“I must admit,” Harrison started, “it is quite difficult to deny my girls anything.I have a feeling the next babe is yet another girl who will also have me wrapped around her tiny finger.”
Rebecca beamed at her husband with nothing but love and admiration, and Court was more envious than he’d ever been in his entire life.She then refocused on Court.“Although I had to promise my husband that we would remain here for the duration of my confinement if I should experience even the slightest discomfort while in residence.”
“Of course.You are all welcome here as long as you wish to stay.”Perhaps filling his home with family would further aid in distracting Court from his broken heart and help him move on for good.
Rebecca beamed down at Eli, who hovered shyly behind Court.“Hello, Eli.I’m your sister, Rebecca, and I’m overjoyed to make your acquaintance at last.Our brother has told me all about you.”
The boy glanced up at Court and then tentatively returned her smile.Court looked on with approval, thrilled to see his siblings united at last.It was the most content he’d felt since he’d left Theodosia behind.
That evening, the family gathered for supper.Court had invited both June and Eli to join them as well.It had taken Court and Rebecca quite a bit of convincing to get June to dine with two earls, feeling that it wasn’t her place.But after sitting in silence for the first course, she finally opened up and shared a bit about herself with the group.
Eli regaled Rebecca and Harrison with everything he had been learning and his progress with his riding lessons.
Rebecca and Harrison proved their true character, treating the boy with the same doting attention they lavished on their own daughter.Court’s heart swelled to see it, knowing Eli would never want for familial love.Wishing his and Rebecca’s home had been the same when they were young.
After supper, June insisted on taking Eli to their home to get him washed and into bed.Harrison, Rebecca, and Court moved to the drawing room to continue what Court expected to be a conversation about little Theo and his sister’s married life.
But no sooner had they settled into their seats than Rebecca fixed Court with a knowing look.“Now, Brother, you will tell me what the devil happened with Theodosia.And don’t bother with evasions—I know everything.”
Court froze, almost dropping the snifter of brandy he’d just poured for himself.
Clearing his throat, he attempted a nonchalant tone.It could merely be her attempt to see what he would tell her, and he wouldn’t fall for it.“I’m sure I don’t know what you mean, sister.Theodosia and I are merely—”
But Rebecca cut him off with an impatient wave.“Please, Court.She is my closest friend, and we visited her on the way here after her last letter to me sparked a bit of concern.What I fail to understand is why you are such a bacon-brained dunderhead.”
Court gritted his teeth.His sister wasn’t incorrect in her assessment of him, but it still irritated him that she would say so.He glanced at Harrison, hoping he might find a bit of assistance, but was met with an amused grin.“What does it matter, Sister?”
She scoffed and glanced at her husband.“Do you believe this?”Rebecca refocused her attention on Court.“Because you are both dear to me and are you truly so big of a rake and libertine that you have given no thought to taking up a more meaningful life?”
“What is it that you think I am doing here?”he replied defensively.“I have righted every wrong of our father, and I am spending time with Eli.Do I appear to be raking about or gambling?I haven’t even had a woman in my bed since…” His voice trailed off and he took a long sip of his brandy.
Harrison choked back a laugh, folding his arms over his chest as he watched the scene unfold.
“And what of marriage and a family, dear brother?And love?”
