Page 82 of Lord of Fortune
Father turned to Penn. “Did you find him?”
“No,” Penn said bitterly. “Egg is on the hunt, however. I wanted to get back here to find the heart.”
His mother gave him a look of understanding. “To Amelia.”
Hell, he should’ve expected that. He’d all but declared his feelings for her in front of them when he’d touched her and kissed her and demonstrated his unabashed concern. And what were those feelings exactly… He couldn’t think of that now, as much as he might want to. His entire being yearned to go to her, but there would be time.
“Why is Egg hunting a vicar?” Gideon’s voice was cold, detached, almost emotionless.
“He recorded Penn’s birth and agreed to keep it quiet until Stratton died,” Father said. “It was paramount to Penn’s mother that Stratton never knew of his existence. I kept her secret until yesterday.”
Gideon’s gaze swung to Penn again. “You didn’t know?”
“I didn’t. You must believe me when I say I don’t want it. You’ve been raised to be an earl. I’m a scholar and an adventurer. If I had to manage an estate and sit in the House of Lords, I’d go mad.” He threw back half his whiskey, relishing the trail of fire it burned down his throat, then set his tumbler on the table. He stared at Gideon and promised, “I will not let you be known as a bastard.”
The edge of Gideon’s mouth lifted into a bitter smile. “That won’t change the truth. I am what I am.” His echo of what Penn had said to his father sent a chill down Penn’s spine. “And if Egg doesn’t find this vicar in time?”
The question hung in the room like a hangman’s noose.
“He will,” Penn said, clenching his jaw. He wouldn’t accept anything else.
Gideon tossed down the rest of his whiskey and stood. “Well, I suppose my future is in Egg’s hands. Here I thought I was an earl… All this time, I’ve held the courtesy title, and I wasn’t even a viscount either, but a bastard. It’s no more than I deserve after the way I’ve behaved. Probably best for me to go off and live the life of a hermit.” Was he trying to bring humor to this dismal situation? He certainly wasn’t reacting the way Penn had.
Mother stood and touched his arm. “It isnotwhat you deserve. And you won’t go and be a hermit. You are not alone anymore, Gideon. You never were.”
He gave her a half smile. “You did always try. All of you.” He looked around the room. “But my father was a blackguard and a scoundrel, the very worst our species has to offer, and he raised me in his image.”
“You are not like him,” Father practically growled.
“I’mtryingnot to be. If you’ll excuse me, I’d like to retire too.” He turned and started toward the door.
Penn called after him, “Take the sword.”
Gideon slowly pivoted. He stared at Penn in question but didn’t say a word.
“Take it. It’s yours.”
Gideon went back to the table and picked it up in the middle of the scabbard, demonstrating that for him, it clearly weighed far less than for the rest of them. “Since learning I was a descendant, I’d hoped that maybe Stratton wasn’t my father, that perhaps I was a by-blow. My mother has already demonstrated her proficiency for infidelity. However, I see now that the line isn’t through my father, but my mother.” He looked at Penn. “Otherwise, this sword would work for you too.”
Penn hadn’t considered that. “You’re correct.”
“I wonder if my grandfather was aware of that connection?” Gideon tipped his head toward Penn’s father.
Father had met Lord Nash on several occasions—he and Mother had been quite fond of him. “I don’t think he was, but I daresay he’d be thrilled. And proud of you.”
Gideon gave a slight nod, then clutched the sword more tightly as he sent Penn an earnest stare. “Thank you, brother.”
Then he turned once more, and just before he left, Father called after him, “We’ll decide what to do about the book in the morning.”
Gideon raised his free hand in silent response before leaving and closing the door behind him.
Everyone was quiet a moment. Father sipped his whiskey, then inclined his head toward Penn. “That was the right thing to do.”
Penn picked up his whiskey. “Earls need swords.”
Mother looked at him with worry. “Do you really think Egg will be able to find this vicar? And how will he stop him?”
After taking a sip of his drink, Penn shrugged. “I expect he’ll kidnap him and bring him back here.”
