Page 105 of Ruthless with a Rogue
“It’s an immense bloody relief.We still have a lot of rebuilding to do.And it won’t be quick.Fortunately, Theo is exceedingly competent.Fucking brilliant, really.”
“I actually have some good news of my own.”
A throat cleared, and Derek and Rafe’s attention landed on the portly man they’d both missed approaching.Lord Wentworth.He rocked back and forth on his feet, his brows pinched uneasily.
“Apologies, my lord, Your Grace.”He bowed awkwardly.“I had wanted a word with Lord Dunmore, but I can come back another time.”
Derek forced a…something.His lips moved in the general direction of a smile.“No worries, Lord Wentworth.Say your piece.”
“Ah.Thank you.I hadn’t seen you around lately, so I wanted to take advantage of your presence.”He laughed nervously.He glanced toward Rafe.“Terrible news to hear about your estate, Your Grace.Fires are a nasty business.”
Rafe nodded, his face expressionless.Lord Wentworth fidgeted.
“Well, then.Yes.To business.I was wondering if we could discuss my proposal again.I was thinking I could pique your interest with some shares in my shipping enterprise, perhaps.And of course, do not forget the donation to your foundling home.”
Derek threw back his whisky.The man was nothing if not persistent.But thank the bloody gods Derek wasn’t going to need to take him up on his offer.“I see you haven’t heard.We have a fundraising event for the foundling home taking place in a sennight.We’re all set on that end.I won’t deny that what you’ve offered is appealing, Lord Wentworth, but I have my sights set on a different woman.”
Lord Wentworth’s eyes widened.
Yes, that was most likely going to be the entire ton’s reaction tomorrow night.
“I see…”
Derek nodded.The man continued to stand there, unmoving, silent.Derek lifted his brows.“If that was all?”he prodded.
“Ah.Yes.”The man bowed.“Gentlemen.”
They both watched in silence as the man walked away.Finally, Rafe broke the silence.“You have enough then.To fund the home.So you can marry your woman.”
“Yes,” Derek said with a long sigh.There was nothing standing in his way any longer.Just the bone-deep terror he couldn’t shake.
“Derek,” Rafe said quietly, and he waited until Derek’s gaze met his.“You know I understand on an elemental level.The fear.I get it.Because no one in our bloody lives has ever wanted us.”He paused and inclined his head.“Grandmama withstanding.”They toasted in unison to the dowager.
“But if something happens?We have each other.Always.You and me, we’re connected—some shared demon inside us both, drawing us together.When Grandmama and I moved in with you when I was fifteen, for me, it was sealed.Our fate was sealed.Brothers, not by blood, but by something far deeper.Because, as we both well-know, blood counts for nothing.”
Derek swallowed hard and glared at his whisky.That’s how it had always been.He and Rafe against the world.Even when they’d thought they’d lost Rupert to his despicable mother.Nothing came between him and Rafe.
“I can’t promise you everything will work out with your woman.Whether it be her or if fate deigns to play the villain.And I understand more than you know; fate’s an ill-tempered bastard that fucking hates us.But me and you?That’s something you never need to worry about going away.”
Their gazes clashed.Derek’s nostrils flared, his lips pressing tight as he nodded.
“I will always be here,” Rafe said tightly.“Brothers.”
Damnit, Derek,hold your bloody shite together.
They sat in thick silence for the longest minute of Derek’s life—and likely Rafe’s as well—his friend’s throat visibly working, battling to swallow down the emotions threatening to drown the both of them.
“Brothers,” Derek choked out.
They both averted their gaze and threw back more whisky.
“Glad we have that settled,” Rafe said gruffly to the table.“Now, I think after that we both need to finish this decanter.”He cleared his throat and met Derek’s gaze.“Then I need a change of scenery.This place is clearly crawling with emotions, and it’s making me nauseous.Will you join me, brother?”
For the first time that night, Derek grinned.“Always.The Devil’s Eye?”
Rafe lifted his glass in the affirmative.They downed the rest of the whisky and stood to leave.The room spun slightly, and Derek had to blink away the drunken haze.Fuck, he’d drunk way more than he’d thought.They stumbled their way toward the exit.Rafe knocked into him, which knocked him into another gentleman.
“Apologies,” Derek said gruffly, locking eyes briefly with Lord Wentworth.The man shot him a smile that was more grimace.Poor chap.Derek almost felt bad for the man.
