Page 71 of Duke of Silver
Alexander sighed, setting his glass down on the desk with a dull thud. “Idle gossip, Percy. You ought not to concern yourself with it. I’m already taking care of things.”
“Taking care of things?” Percy raised a brow, clearly unconvinced. “You don’t seem terribly worried.”
“Because I’m not,” Alexander replied, his tone firm. “The ton will talk. They always do. But it will pass, as all things do.”
For a moment, Percy said nothing, his gaze steady as though measuring his brother’s words. Then, his lips curved into a mischievous smile. “If you say so. But I couldn’t help noticing how your wife… well, she’s quite captivating, isn’t she? I certainly couldn’t take my eyes off her during dinner.”
Alexander stiffened, the words unexpectedly striking a nerve. He recalled Elizabeth’s laughter on the terrace earlier, the way she had smiled at Percy, her posture relaxed as they conversed. It had been a rare moment—one where she seemed at ease, almost happy.
The thought of it left Alexander feeling... odd.
He quickly pushed the feeling aside. Heshouldbe glad things were less strained between them. It meant that Elizabeth was adjusting, that she was handling Percy’s return with grace. Surely, that was a good sign. She would be fine. They both would.
“Anyone who spends more than a minute with the two of you can see that you care for each other,” Percy remarked, leaning back in his chair as if commenting on something as mundane as the weather.
Alexander’s thoughts snagged on those words. Did he care for Elizabeth? He had made a promise to protect her, to offer her stability. But was that enough? The question stirred something deeper, something uncomfortable. Caring for her was one thing, but there were other emotions, other fears that lingered just beneath the surface—fears he wasn’t ready to confront. His marriage had never been about love, not in the way society expected.
He cleared his throat, eager to steer the conversation away from his own uncertainties. “Speaking of settling down,” Alexander began, his voice shifting to a more authoritative tone, “now that you’ve returned, it’s time you considered your own future. You need to take responsibility, Percy. Find a wife, start a family.”
Percy blinked, his lighthearted demeanor vanishing in an instant. “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying,” Alexander continued, “that perhaps we should host a ball in your honor. Introduce you to some eligible young ladies. You need to think about your future.”
Percy’s expression darkened, his posture stiffening. “Do not treat me like some debutante, Alexander.”
“I promised Father I would protect you,” Alexander pressed, his voice hardening. “And ensuring you’re settled—happy, even—is part of that.”
“I am not a child!” Percy shot back, his tone sharp. “Do not speak to me as though I were. I am not that boy any longer.”
Alexander opened his mouth to respond, but Percy cut him off, his anger bubbling to the surface. “If you truly want a child to look after, then wait until you have one of your own. Surely, it won’t be long before that happens now.”
Silence fell between them, heavy and charged. The words hung in the air like a challenge.
“I have no intention of siring a child,” Alexander said, his voice cool but edged with something darker.
Percy looked at him, truly looked at him, and for a moment, his anger gave way to confusion. “But you need an heir,” he said, incredulous. “Surely you know that.”
“And I have you,” Alexander replied matter-of-factly, his gaze steady as though that settled the matter.
Percy fell quiet, his expression thoughtful. The silence stretched, tense and uneasy. Then, after what felt like an eternity, Percy spoke again, his voice softer but tinged with a new understanding. “Does your wife know about this?”
“She does,” Alexander answered, though he felt a tightness in his chest at the admission.
“And what is her opinion on it?” Percy asked, his eyes narrowing slightly.
“It doesn’t matter,” Alexander replied dismissively, his voice sharper than intended.
“Oh, but it does,” Percy pressed, his tone growing firm. “You cannot force your decision upon her, Alexander. Do not subject her to making such a sacrifice simply becauseyoudo not mind remaining childless.”
Alexander stared at his brother, the words hitting him harder than he cared to admit. He had never truly considered what Elizabeth thought about it—about the prospect of children, about their future. Had he simply assumed she shared his feelings? Or worse, had he forced his decision upon her without even realizing it?
A pang of guilt twisted inside him. He felt pathetic for not having considered her feelings, but also... afraid. Afraid of what failure would look like. Afraid of what bringing a child into this world might mean for him, for them. The fear clung to him, despite the logic of Percy’s words.
And yet, as Alexander looked at his brother now, he realized how much Percy had changed. The younger man standing before him was no longer the reckless boy he had once been. There was a new maturity in his voice, a depth to his words that hadn’t been there before.
Still, Alexander’s pride—and his sense of duty—kept him from yielding. He straightened, his expression hardening once more. “I made a promise to Father, Percy. You are my responsibility. I cannot simply abandon that.”
Percy’s jaw clenched, frustration darkening his features. He shook his head slowly, his voice laced with anger. “Stop living in the past, Alexander. Stop using me as your excuse to remain unhappy.”
