Page 3 of Duke of Silver
Alexander’s patience snapped. “Is that why you acted so recklessly?” His voice cut through the air, sharp and unforgiving. Percy blinked at him, the severity of his tone forcing him to sit up straighter, though his mind still swam with the effects of the evening’s indulgence.
“You do realize what this means, don’t you?” Alexander pressed, his anger barely contained.
Percy looked at him, his expression one of vague confusion, as though he were struggling to comprehend the situation. He turned to Colin, as though hoping for an explanation.
Alexander answered before Colin could speak. “Our family name, Percy, is now at risk. If we do nothing, the rumors will spread like wildfire, and we shall find ourselves ruined by mere association with your folly.”
Percy blinked again, his brow furrowed in a futile attempt to understand. “Good family name. Right,” he echoed, noddingslowly, though it was clear he was still too far gone to appreciate the gravity of the matter.
“Who was the lady in question?” Alexander asked, turning to Colin with a steadying breath.
Colin frowned in thought, then answered, “Lady Elizabeth Sutton. Niece of the Earl of Dowshire.”
Alexander’s jaw clenched at the name. Dowshire’s niece? Of all people, Percy had managed to embroil their family in a scandal with the niece of one of the most influential men in the realm. This was far worse than he had anticipated. The ramifications would be devastating, and their family’s honor now hung in the balance.
“Well, her father was the late Earl, and as he had no son, her uncle assumed the title upon his demise,” Colin explained, his tone measured but revealing the gravity of the situation.
Alexander’s gaze shifted to Percy, who sat slumped on the chaise, oblivious to the weight of his actions. “There is a clear distinction, Percy, between your escapades at the opera houses and your entanglements with gently bred ladies,” Alexander began, his voice carrying the firm authority of an elder brother. “With the former, you may escape unscathed, but the latter requires responsibility—something you’ve yet to demonstrate.”
Percy blinked, still slow to comprehend the severity of his actions, but Colin’s brow furrowed in surprise. “What do you mean, Alex?”
“Why, Percy must do the honorable thing by this Lady Elizabeth and marry her, of course.”
“Marriage? What marriage?” Percy suddenly sat up, his bleary eyes widening in alarm. The very word seemed to jolt him back to sobriety.
“The marriage you have brought upon yourself through your own recklessness,” Alexander responded coldly, unwilling to offer him any respite from the reality of his situation.
“Oh no. No, no, no.” Percy waved his hands, attempting to rise from the sofa but promptly staggered and collapsed back into the cushions. “I am not marrying anyone.”
“And I refuse to allow you to drag our good name through the mud, tarnishing our father’s legacy in the process,” Alexander said, his temper flaring as the familiar vein throbbed at his temple. “You made a mistake. You must take responsibility.”
“I would sooner die than walk to that bloody altar,” Percy muttered with defiance.
Alexander’s jaw clenched, frustration surging through him. Was this his doing? Had he been too lenient with Percy all these years, allowing him to indulge his every whim without consequence? Had he failed to teach him a proper sense of duty?
“What would Father say, Percy? Is this how you intend to disgrace his name in the eyes of society?” Alexander’s voice was low now, his anger tempered by a quiet plea.
“Do not use Father to blackmail me, Alexander,” Percy shot back, his face contorting with both guilt and anger.
“There is no blackmail here. I am merely reminding you of the honor you are about to destroy,” Alexander replied, his tone unwavering.
Percy’s jaw tightened as he ran a hand through his disheveled hair, letting out a frustrated curse under his breath. “Fine,” he bit out, his voice terse with resignation.
“Excellent. Wedding bells at last,” Colin interjected, clapping Percy on the shoulder with a grin. “You’ve made the right decision, Percy.”
Percy scowled, his expression darkening as he forced himself to stand just as the butler returned with the tea.
“Have some tea and retire for the night,” Alexander said, his concern for his brother’s welfare slowly overriding his earlier anger. “You need to rest.”
“We shall call upon Dowshire tomorrow to formally request his niece’s hand,” he added, turning to the butler. “Prepare Percy’s room for the night.”
“There’s no need. I’m returning to my lodgings,” Percy mumbled, shaking his head. “And I do not need the tea,” he added when Alexander began to argue.
“It will clear your head, Percy,” Colin urged gently.
Percy’s eyes flashed with irritation. “Wouldyourequire ‘clearing’ after being forced into marriage against your will?” he grumbled, though his voice lacked true malice.
“Quite right,” Colin chuckled, unfazed.
