Page 50 of A Love to Remember
Tremain’s tight jaw twitched and his bored veneer slipped. “You sit there, all high and mighty, looking down on me. You, too, were in dun territory once. But you were clever enough to talk your elder brother into going to war. And you came home alone. How very convenient!”
Red rage filled Philip’s vision and he was out of his chair before Tremain had finished. His first punch took Tremain in the mouth, splitting his knuckles and singing up his arm. His next would have taken the bastard to the floor—had he not been grabbed from behind and held.
“Stop it, you fool,” Maitland snapped in his ear.
Philip tried to shake him off, blind with guilt and sorrow. And then Kirkwood was there, too, anger scoring white lines around his mouth.
“Gentlemen,” he said. “And I use the word loosely. You will contain yourselves.”
Philip didn’t want to contain himself. He wanted to challenge Tremain to a duel for his words. But he couldn’t. Not without revealing his shame to the world.
“Lord Tremain,” Kirkwood said. “Go and see to your hurts.”
Philip only had a moment to take satisfaction in Tremain’s split lip before Kirkwood swung his way. “As for you, Cumberland”—the man’s anger blazed like wildfire—“apologize this instant.”
Philip looked around, but Tremain had already left the room with Sebastian close behind.
“To me,” Kirkwood said. “I will not have ill-bred brawling in my home. Apologize immediately, or leave.”
Philip shook off Maitland’s restraining hand. “I apologize unreservedly for my offense, Lord Kirkwood,” he said stiffly.
His lordship nodded. “My study. Ten sharp. We need to talk.” He did not wait for Philip to agree but raised his voice. “Gentlemen. I believe it’s time to join the ladies.” The glare he sent Philip’s way as he ushered everyone out was as sharp as a dagger.
Maitland waited until he and Philip were alone in the room before he spoke. “That was unwise. Tremain wanted a reaction and he got it. What came over you?”
Philip could not meet his eye. Nor could he tell Maitland the truth. So he lied. “He mentioned Rose.”
Sebastian strode back into the room. “I say, what have I missed?”
“Cumberland took a swing at Tremain,” Maitland said. “Lord Kirkwood is not amused.”
Sebastian laughed. “I wish I had seen that.” His countenance grew serious. “Guess who our little maid rushed to help?”
“Tremain.” Philip’s hands curled into fists. “I knew it.”
Maitland sank onto one of the dining chairs. “He has to be behind Drake’s fall. But to what end?”
Philip could tell him now. “Because if Drake dies before he produces an heir, everything—the entire Roxborough estate—goes to Rose. That was her father’s condition before he agreed to the marriage. So if Rose inherits everything, what are the odds that any husband will take control of the assets?”
The men glanced around at each other, worry creasing their faces.
“How many people know of this?” Maitland said.
Philip wished he knew. “I don’t think anyone knows—except Kirkwood, of course. As Drake’s guardian he must know. I only learned of it today from Rose herself.”
“Could Tremain?” Grayson asked.
Philip shrugged. “I have no idea. But if he does, I would not put anything past him. Drake needs to be watched.” The clock on the mantel chimed ten as he spoke. “If you will excuse me, gentlemen, I have somewhere I must be. Shall we pick up the conversation in the morning?”
Excitement, fear, sorrow and—as usual—guilt were Philip’s companions on his journey to the orangery. He made another vow. Drake would not end up in the cold ground, dead before his time, like Robert. Philip could not marry Rose but he would protect both her and her son.
The fragrance in the orangery was intense enough to make it impossible for him to distinguish her floral perfume from the flowers around him.
He made his way through the plants until he heard rustling up ahead. But when he rounded a palm he found not Rose but her maid instead.
His gut churned and he raced forward. “Is Her Grace all right? The boy?”
“Perfectly, my lord.” The woman looked like she would have preferred to spit and hiss like an angry cat rather than conduct a calm conversation. “She bids me to say she has a headache and will not be able to keep her appointment with you. She is also worried about His Grace. He will sleep in her room tonight.”
