Page 15 of Her Heart's Rightful Earl
“You?” Alexander frowned and, presently, noticed the hint of a smile at the corner of Thomas’s lips and how his eyes softened when he mentioned Arabella’s sister.
“Really?Miss Charlotte, is it?” Alexander teased his friend, bashing him playfully upon the shoulder with a boyish fist.
“We are friends!” Thomas held his palms up in defence, with a large grin that Alexander had missed in his years of absence. “I can speak with her and will be able to talk her down if it appears her sister has confided in her.”
“Very well,” Alexander smiled and shook his head at Thomas’s slight blush.
“Are there any other weak associations that could pose a threat to your exposure?” Thomas got back to business.
“I do not believe so. The only other member of the household who might reasonably hear of my reappearance would be my brother—and he is already aware of my status.”
“Ah, Marcus. Yes,” Thomas nodded thoughtfully. Alexander took note of his distraction.
“How is my brother?”
Thomas looked up at Alexander as though he had been caught off guard.
“Marcus? He is well, I believe …”
“You have not seen him? Spent time with him these past years?”
“With no offence intended, it was alwaysyouI attended to visit at Wellwood, Alexander. And whilst there, I would often pass the time with Marcus, but he and I were never close. I visit your mother, of course, and upon occasion I will cross Marcus’s path–”
“Is he unwell, Thomas?” Alexander interrupted.
“Because Wellwood has been bitterly neglected in my absence. I witnessed fallen walls, trampled fences, overgrown hedgerows; the horses in the stables were notably lacking … I do not understand how my brother, knowing how highly our beloved father valued the estate, could allow such a fate to befall ourbeautiful home. The only reason I can understand is if some illness has debilitated him?”
Thomas looked troubled as he considered how he might answer. “As far as man can see, Marcus is well; walking, talking, travelling …”
“But?”
“There are illnesses man cannot see, Alexander, and in that vein, I am unable to conclude whether or not your brother iswell.’”
Alexander frowned and gripped the wooden arms of his chair. “Marcus was always a sensitive soul, with a tendency to worry, and he allowed it sometimes to cripple him with vexation. I fear the overwhelm of his responsibility as earl has proved too much for him.”
Thomas shrugged noncommittally. “I regret I can neither confirm nor deny.”
Alexander rubbed his hands over his face. He was tired, it was late, and so much drama had erupted that evening that it was exhausting to process it all.
Taking this cue, Thomas claimed two glasses from his liquor cabinet and poured a finger of brandy into each.
Passing one to Alexander, he queried, “You have seen your mother now. As this was the purpose of your visit, I can send word to MacLeod that you will begin your return journey to Scotland tomorrow.”
Noticing Alexander’s expression of surprise, Thomas assured him, “I will deal with the collateral damage here; placate Arabella and encourage her to be loyal to our secret, to secure your safe passage. If it seems she has confided in Charlotte, I will appeal to Charlotte’s good nature to support our plight.”
“I am not leaving, Thomas.”
Thomas had the brandy in its decorative glass halfway to his lips and paused. “What?”
“How can I leave? Mother only saw me briefly and begged that I return. Poor Arabella is reeling from the shock of seeing me alive. And it sounds as though my brother is in dire need of some support.
“Alexander, it may have escaped your memory, old friend, but if the magistrates believed you were alive, they would have you hanged! This was the narrative when you first disappeared—although there was a slim chance of incarceration then, in the place of execution. Now you have evaded the law for three years, it would be certain death.”
Alexander hung his head, wondering, as he so often did, how it had come to this. His life had been so blessed before that horrific night in his father’s study, and everything was so different now.
“The odds are not in my favour. Of this, Thomas, I am acutely aware. However, returning to Scotland without the satisfaction of conclusions would be a living torture. Currently, I am failing everybody I care about. I must risk remaining here because my life in Scotland would be cowardly and inconsequential.”
Thomas simply stared at his friend, occasionally blinking, considering their limited options.
