Page 26 of An Offer for a Spinster
He flinched at that. It was almost as if his father was in the room again, stone-faced.
Women need a strong hand, my boy. Children, too. One can never be weak. One can never relent, not even for a moment.
He shuddered. “Katherine is a grown woman, Mother. She knows what’s at stake, and she’ll do her duty. I don’t want to interfere in her life more than necessary.”
This was not what the Duchess wanted to hear. She pursed her lips.
“Well, when Katherine has a husband,hewill interfere in her life as much as he sees fit. She will have to get used to it.”
“Then she had better choose wisely.” He responded sharply.
I really must stop thinking of Mother asthe Duchess. When I marry – and marry I must – my wife will be the Duchess.
There was another tap on the door, and the butler appeared, looking nervous.
“Your Grace? Lord Alexander is home. There is… there is a matter that needs your attention. Lord Henry requested that you come at once, and only you.”
Tension prickled down William’s spine. A series of worst-case scenarios, each one more horrible than the last, swirled through his mind.
“Where is he?”
Alexander was sprawled on his back in a narrow hallway, tucked behind the kitchen and pantry.
“I brought him in through the back door,” Henry said, leaning against the wall. “None of the servants saw. I didn’t think you’d want him to be seen in this state.”
“You’re right about that,” William muttered. “What, is he drunk?”
“Absolutely.”
On cue, Alexander waved a hand faintly, making a gurgling noise. William groaned.
“Push him onto his side. If he vomits now, he’ll choke on it.”
“Do it yourself,” Henry said, voice sharp.
William blinked at him, a little taken aback by the tone. Sighing, he stepped forward, shoving Alexander onto his side.
“Where did you find him?”
“A truly foul little pub in a side street. You’d have been shocked, truly. He didn’t even have enough money to pay for his bill. I paid it, and I want the money back, by the way.”
At first, William thought he was joking. Crouched beside Alexander and listening to his snoring, he glanced up. The smile faded from his face when he saw Henry’s expression.
“You’re serious.”
“Of course I’m serious,” Henry had his arms folded tightly, his expression impassive. “I don’t have money to waste on paying a fool drunkard’s bills.”
William bounced to his feet. “We’re not talking about a fool drunkard! This is your brother! And, might I add, Alexander would do this for you in a heartbeat.”
“I’d never put myself in such a situation,” Henry took a step forward. “You’d have been ashamed of him. He couldn’t stand, let alone walk. I had to all but carry him home. He vomited twice, and nearly got him. And it wasn’t even good alcohol. It was just the nasty, cheap stuff. Disgusting. He stinks of it, musthave poured half a cup down himself.” Henry wrinkled his nose, and William took a step backwards.
It was something of a shock, seeing such anger on his brother’s face.
“It’s not Alexander’s fault we’re in this predicament.”
“I didn’t say that it was. But you’re the one who said we had to make the best of it. Do you think thatthisis making the best of it?”
He gestured angrily at Alexander, who was now blinking sleepily, looking pale and queasy.
