Page 46 of Seducing an Earl under the Mistletoe
James’ voice quivered as he recounted the harrowing tale of his survival. “When they thought me dead at sea, I was actually alive, washed ashore on a remote island,” he began, his eyes distant as he relived those haunting moments. “I was gravely injured, and my face…it was disfigured beyond recognition. Once they found me, I tried to tell them who I was, but they didn’t believe me.”
His tale was harrowing. Arthur’s soul ached for his brother as he listened. “What happened then?” he asked, his voice filled with empathy.
“I was left to fend for myself,” James continued, his words punctuated by the weight of abandonment. “I was left alone to find my way home. I tried to reach out to Father, but he refused to believe I was his son. The scars, the injuries, they all changed me so much that I could hardly recognize myself.”
The room was filled with a heavy silence as Arthur absorbed the magnitude of his brother’s suffering. The years of separation, the cruel twists of fate, and the disfigurement had irrevocably altered James’ life.
“I want you to see me, Arthur, as I stand here before you,” James spoke.
With bated breath, Arthur watched as James began to unwrap the bandages that concealed his disfigurement. Each layer peeled away revealed the scars and injuries that had transformed his brother’s appearance. Arthur’s heart ached at the sight, knowing the pain James must have endured.
As the final bandage fell away, James stood before his brother, his face marred by the harsh realities of his ordeal. It was a face that bore the weight of a world of suffering, yet it still carried the essence of the brother Arthur had loved. There was a scar going from the corner of his lip all the way to his ear, and the flesh around it had been burned, now healed with a rough, red, uneven surface.
“You’ve seen me now,” James said, his voice filled with vulnerability. “This is what I’ve become.”
Arthur reached out to touch James’ face gently, his fingertips tracing the scars. “You’re still my brother,” he whispered, tears glistening in his eyes. “No matter what you look like, you’re still the same James.”
James didn’t say anything to that. Instead, he looked down at his feet. “I saw you on the beach. You and Margot, and…you looked so happy together. I wanted to approach you, but you looked so happy. I couldn’t ruin that, appearing like this before you, before her.”
Arthur pulled back slightly, his eyes meeting James’ with intensity. “James, you need to understand something,” he said firmly. “Margot still loves you. She’s never stopped. She pines for you, even now.”
James looked surprised and uncertain, his disfigured face showing signs of emotion. “How could she want me in this state?”
Arthur’s voice was resolute. “She loves you for who you are, not for your appearance. And she’s not the only one. You have a place here, James, and everything that was yours before, including your title. You’ve come back to us, and we’ll stand by you.”
Arthur was not able to control his emotions any longer. In that moment, Arthur and James fell into each other’s arms, their embrace a poignant reunion. Arthur could feel the weight of their shared history, the years of separation, and the pain they had both endured simply dissolve as they held each other close.
Tears filled Arthur’s eyes as he clung to his brother, feeling the warmth of James’ embrace and the strength of their unbreakable bond. It was a moment of profound connection, a testament to the enduring love between them.
“I thought I had lost you forever,” Arthur whispered, his voice choked with emotion.
James held his brother tighter, his own voice trembling as he replied, “And I thought I had lost myself. But now, I have you back.”
It took them a while before either of them was willing to let go. When they finally did, Arthur knew that the time to attend their mother’s Christmas party was slowly approaching. He understood the necessity of attending it, despite the complexity of their situation.
“I know you are eager to see Mother, but taking everything into account, I think it is best we keep your identity a secret for a little while longer,” Arthur suggested, knowing that their mother would be overwhelmed. Revealing him tonight, at the party, would be too much for everyone, especially James. No. They needed to do it in the privacy of their own home when it was just them here. No guests. No outsiders.
“I agree.” James nodded.
Arthur thought about it for a moment. “You could stay in a hotel here in Brighton until the time comes for you to return,” Arthur instructed while James nodded again.
It was a difficult decision, but one they both seemed to believe was in the best interest of their family. With a tender squeeze of his brother’s shoulder, Arthur was ready to face the world.
“You don’t know how happy your return has made me, James,” Arthur gushed one more time, unable to control himself.
“It is good to be back, Brother,” James returned the sentiment.
“We must get you out unseen,” Arthur mused.
“Just like when we were boys,” James smiled.
Arthur remembered their games well. They would sneak through the corridors, making sure that the servants wouldn’t see them as they found their way out into the garden. Now, they would do it again. Only this time, there would be much more at stake.
“We’ll head towards the east wing, and there, take the stairs through the servants’ quarters. No one has been using those for quite some time,” Arthur said. James nodded. “Follow me,” Arthur gestured at James as he headed towards the door.
He opened it slowly, looking out. The corridor was empty, devoid of any movement. Everyone was downstairs, preparing for the arrival of the guests.
“Quickly now,” Arthur urged, and the two brothers moved stealthily through the shadows, with James following closely behind.
