Page 85 of The Pearl (The Godwicks 3)

Zoot knew where Arthur lived. She’d been by enough with Regan’s notes to have her own room here. Was she taking the easy route by giving something to Charlie to give to him? Or was this Regan’s doing, forcing Charlie and Arthur into the same room?

Arthur carefully removed the packing paper to reveal an original oil painting. An Evelyn de Morgan. He read the brass badge on the frame.Phosphorus and Hesperus (Morning Star and Evening Star).

“What is it?” Charlie asked, peering past Arthur’s shoulder.

“The two sons of Venus,” Arthur explained, setting the painting on the mantel. “The Morning Star and the Evening Star. Brothers.”

“That’s what Mummy used to call us. Didn’t have the heart to tell her the Morning Star and the Evening Star are just the same star.”

“I think she knew,” Arthur said.

“Can’t remember the last time she called me her Evening Star,” Charlie said almost wistfully. “I get nothing butCharlesnow.”

“That’s because it’s a term of endearment, and you haven’t been very endearing lately.”

Charlie rolled his eyes. “God, not again. I’m leaving if you’re going to start this up.”

Arthur stared at him. Unbelievable.

“Didn’t we used to be best mates? Or did I make all that up in my mind?”

“Yeah, and we used to be virgins, too. Then we grew up, all right. So grow up.” Charlie turned to leave.

Arthur said his name, sharply, and Charlie spun on his heel to face him. “What now?” he demanded.

Arthur socked his brother in the face.

Good punch. All knuckle straight to the chin. Charlie fell back onto the sofa, dazed and gasping.

He cradled his face in his hands. “What the… Bastard, what was that for—”

“You fucked my girlfriend the day I broke up with her,” Arthur said, shocked by how much cold rage came out in his voice.

“That’s why you hit me? That was over two years ago!”

“Yes, and I’m still waiting for an apology.”

“You’re mad.”

“No, I’m furious. You know she called you just to wind me up,” Arthur said. “You know that, yes? Or do I need to show you the screenshots of her text messages to me mocking you? She sent me a pic of you two in bed together, you sleeping like a baby next to her while she was texting me about how easy you were.”

Charlie moved his mouth, adjusted his jaw. It wasn’t broken. Not that Arthur would have felt too badly if it had been.

“No,” Charlie said. “You don’t have to tell me or show me. I knew.”

“You knew? Then why did you sleep with her?”

His brother gave a sad self-deprecating laugh. “Why? Because of you. Because you get absolutely everything all the time and forever and ever. You get the title and the houses and the respect, and I get sod all and jack nothing.”

Arthur sat down hard on the coffee table, across from Charlie. He tried to meet his brother’s eyes, but Charlie wouldn’t look at him.

“I know I’m a fuck-up,” Charlie said. “Why not? No one expects me to be anything else. Dear Mummy and Daddy already have their perfect daughter and their perfect son. I might as well not even exist. Why should I bother?”

Charlie touched his jaw and winced again. It was starting to swell.

“Stay,” Arthur said. “If you’re not here when I come back from the kitchen, I will find you and break your nose.”

“I’ll be here.” Charlie’s voice was small and defeated. Arthur wanted to hug the stupid boy but knew Charlie wouldn’t allow that. With a sigh he left the sitting room and went into the kitchen to put ice in a tea towel. Regan had been right. Charlie had slept with Wendy on purpose, out of spite, hurt pride, and self-pity. As much as Arthur wanted to punch his brother again—how many people would kill to be in his shoes with his family’s money and power and the Godwick surname?—he also wanted to shake him until he realized that none of the titles and inheritances meant anything. Arthur would have traded his titles to the first person he saw walking down the street if it meant Regan would call him and tell him where she was.

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