Page 66 of Duke of Silver
“I did not return to argue, Alex. I came back to mend the damage I caused.”
Percy’s words settled in the room, but they did nothing to douse the fire of anger burning in Alexander’s chest. He glanced at his brother, taking in his appearance—the same youthful face, yet worn with a new heaviness that did little to garner his sympathy. Percy stood there, remorseful perhaps, but remorse could not erase the harm already done.
“Then you should never have left in the first place,” Alexander replied coldly, his tone sharp as a blade.
Percy flinched, but he stood his ground, nodding as though to absorb the reproach. “I am truly sorry, Alex.”
Alexander’s response was a stony silence. No words of forgiveness or understanding. His eyes locked with Percy’s for a moment, and then he turned away, allowing his brother to exit the study without another word. The door closed with a soft click, leaving Alexander alone in the oppressive quiet.
But the silence did nothing to soothe him. If anything, it left too much space for the emotions to fester and multiply—anger, confusion, frustration—all swirling within him, heavier with each passing second. He had tried to maintain order, to quell the scandal and carry on, and now Percy’s return had unraveled all the control Alexander had fought so hard to retain.
What was Percy truly after? And why now, after abandoning everything, did he believe an apology could repair what he had shattered?
With a sigh, Alexander knew he needed a diversion—a conversation with someone who could offer clarity or, at the very least, a distraction. And there was no one better suited for that than Colin Caldwell, the Marquess of Broughton.
Not long after, Colin arrived at the estate, his expression a picture of cheerful ease. As ever, his demeanor was bright, almost jovial, a marked contrast to the storm brewing inside Alexander. Colin entered the study with a smile, immediately making his way to the sideboard where the decanter stood.
“Well, well, Alex,” Colin began, his tone light with amusement. “It seems the tides have turned in your favor.”
Alexander watched as his friend poured two generous glasses of brandy, handing one to him before taking a seat. Colin raised his glass with a satisfied grin.
“The ton can’t seem to stop talking about you and the Duchess. You’ve become quite the subject of admiration, it appears.” He paused to take a sip, clearly savoring the moment. “I hear you and Elizabeth were the talk of the ball, the garden party, and even at the theatre last week. Word is, you were spotted promenading at the park too.”
He leaned back in his chair, the smirk never leaving his face. “The Duke and Duchess of Sterlin, so very in love—so the whispers go.”
Alexander took a slow drink of his brandy, feeling the warmth spread through his chest but finding little comfort in the words. It was true, their public appearances had been orchestrated to divert attention from the scandal. And it seemed to be working. The whispers had shifted from suspicion to admiration, the speculation about their union growing fainter with each appearance.
But none of that seemed to matter now.
Colin’s grin faltered as he noticed the tension in Alexander’s face. “What is it, Alex? You look as though you’ve received the worst news imaginable.”
Alexander sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Percy has returned.”
Colin blinked, clearly taken aback. “Returned? As in, appeared at your doorstep?”
“At dinner, no less,” Alexander muttered, setting his glass down on the table with a clink. “As though he hadn’t vanished for weeks.”
Colin’s eyes widened in disbelief. “What in God’s name is he thinking? After all that’s happened, to return so brazenly?”
Alexander shook his head, leaning back in his chair, the weight of the situation pressing heavily upon him. “I haven’t the faintest idea. He says he wishes to make amends, but how am I to trust anything he says? He fled, Colin. He abandoned me to clean up his mess.”
Colin frowned, his usual carefree demeanor slipping as he considered the gravity of the situation. “And what do you intend to do now?”
Alexander exhaled deeply, staring into the amber liquid swirling in his glass. “That is the question, isn’t it? I thought I had resolved everything. The scandal was beginning to fade, my marriage to Elizabeth—though not what I expected—was stabilizing. And now, Percy’s return has thrown everything into disarray again.”
He took another sip, the alcohol doing little to ease the turmoil in his mind. “I was prepared to deal with my anger toward him, but now... seeing him again, seeing the way he looked... it’s left me more conflicted than ever.”
Colin remained silent, his gaze steady as Alexander spoke.
“There was something in his eyes,” Alexander continued, his voice quieter now. “Something... broken. Guilt, certainly, but more than that. It unsettled me.”
Colin leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Do you believe there’s more to his return than mere apologies?”
Alexander met his friend’s gaze, the weight of Colin’s question hanging between them. He did not have the answer. Not yet.
“You’re overthinking this, Alex,” Colin said, his tone casual yet full of encouragement, as though the return of a brother who had upended his life was a minor inconvenience. “Percy came back. That has to mean something.”
“Does it?” Alexander’s voice was flat. He had no desire for empty reassurances. “He left without a word, abandoned his responsibilities. His return does not erase any of that.”
