Page 51 of A Duke, a Virgin and a Baby
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
“ – a
nd the farmers are still supplying fresh fruits, and as such, no extra funds will be spent procuring produce at markets.”
Ernest had likely been giving his account of the household expenses for about half an hour, but Julian had only heard the first five minutes of it if he were being honest. It was quite hard to focus on much else when he still had not settled on how to deal with the realization that he might… love Anna.
The notion was ridiculous, in and of itself. He had seen how defective his parent’s marriage was, how love had turned his mother into a fool and rendered her helpless in the face of the damage his father had brought upon them. To think that he had unknowingly opened his heart to Anna made him angry at his own carelessness.
He blamed his brother for his misfortune – after all, if Seth had not lived such a promiscuous life, he wouldn’t have gotten some poor scullery maid in a delicate condition, forcing her to abandon their child when he did not take responsibility, which brought Nicholas into Anna’s life. If his brother only knew to stay away from women, then perhaps all would have been well.
“Shall I go over the previous month’s expenses too?” the butler asked uncertainly, after three minutes of pure silence.
Julian waved at him to do what he wished, his thoughts still racing to formulate a plan on how to deal with his situation.
Does she feel the same?He wondered suddenly, his eyes narrowing slightly.
A part of him hoped that she did, unable to ignore the warmth that spread through him at the prospect of being wanted by Anna. Being admired and adored by her, irrevocably desired by her.
However, if she did not… if the one with the burdensome feelings were only him, then perhaps things could still proceed normally. All he needed to do was leave as soon as possible and these feelings would fade into nothing.
“Thank you, Ernest,” Julian said suddenly, cutting his butler off. “I am sure everything is in order like it has been since the duchess took control of the affairs of the estate. You may go.”
If Ernest was puzzled or confused by the duke’s strange actions, he said nothing about it, simply bowing in response to his master’s instructions before taking his leave from Julian’s study.
Only to walk back in barely three minutes later with a grim expression.
“Lord Harrow just arrived and wishes to speak to you, Your Grace.”
Almost immediately, Julian’s mood soured.
It had been one thing for him to have an unproductive morning, with most of it spent trying to deal with the havoc his heart seemed intent on wrecking on his life. It was another thing entirely for something as inconvenient and irritating as his brother to appear before him when he was in no mood to deal with it.
With a sigh, he instructed the butler, “Bring him in.”
Ernest went to do as he was told, and moments later, Seth walked into Julian’s study.
To his credit, he seemed much more put together than he had the last time, but no less unhappy to see his brother. Julian sat back, having a feeling that he might not like the words that were about to leave his brother’s mouth.
As Seth settled into the chair on the other side of Julian’s desk, he glanced around the study for a moment, then finally settled his gaze on his brother, the corner of his lips pulling into a smirk.
“You look as pretentious as ever, in Father’s chair.”
Julian clenched a hand into a fist at the mention of their father, willing himself not to flare up at his brother because he, unfortunately, needed the rascal to do what was needed of him.
“If you wished to insult me, you could have written me a letter. Surely you did not come all this way because you wished to mock me childishly.” Julian rebutted calmly.
Seth looked embarrassed for a moment, and then he lowered his head, reluctantly speaking up.
“I… I have run out of money and I need you to provide me with my allowance.”
Julian’s gaze narrowed. “That was not what we discussed. I specifically told you that you will receive no allowance until you have found the mother of your child and you have taken responsibility for your actions. Were you able to find her?”
“N-No, but –”
“Then we have nothing further to discuss and you will be getting nothing from me. Have a nice day, Seth.”
Seth looked caught off guard for a moment, then his expression contorted into one of anger.
