Page 70 of The Marquess Method (The Beautiful Barringtons 3)

“You mean my brother, the Duke of Averell?” Theo raised a brow, her tone sharp. “Jacinda said you knew of him and my father.”

“Duke?” Erasmus shuffled a bit, regarding her with horror. “No, I—” He pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed at his lips. “I would never cast such a slur on a duke.” He looked as if he would fall to the floor at her feet and weep. “Ambrose calls him that. I’m afraid he doesn’t speak highly of him. Your brother.”

Well, that was certainly true. Though Haven had used other, more colorful words when describing Tony.

“Don’t be cross, dear niece. Sometimes, Theodosia, I speak without thinking. Thoughts ramble in my head with no meaning. It’s been that way for as long as I can remember.” Erasmus gave her a sad shrug. “Brandy helps, you see, quiets it, but not all the time.”

Theo nodded in sympathy, recalling what Betts had said about her cousin. It seemed Erasmus was also afflicted. She immediately regretted her earlier, unkind thoughts.

“My parents didn’t know what to do with me. Nor my brother. I fear I embarrassed them all.” His voice grew thick. “Just as I do Ambrose and Jacinda.”

“No, Uncle. I’m sure that isn’t the case.” Her eyes drifted to the hall, willing anyone, Rolfe, Jacinda, Mrs. Henderson, even one of the carpenters, to please interrupt this dreadful conversation. She hadn’t meant to set Erasmus off and felt terrible for doing so.

“Oh, it is.” He shook his head sadly. “And well I know it. It got worse, and when Edmund married, he told me I must leave Greenbriar, and I agreed, under the circumstances. He said I was fragile, and I suppose I am.”

Theo gave his hand a gentle pat. “I’m sure that isn’t at all true.”

“I’ve been forgotten for so long, all because ofone minute.” The trembling left his voice.

“A minute?” Theo looked again at the doorway. It seemed she was doomed to hear more of Erasmus’s nonsensical ramblings.

“Edmund was only a minute older than I.” The bloodshot eyes filled with moisture as if he would start sobbing at any moment. “But for aminute, I would have been the marquess and my brother the twin everyone forgot. Do you know, Theodosia, what it is to feel forgotten? That’s the real reason I came back to Greenbriar, though it nearly killed me to cross that horrid stretch of ocean again. Ambrose thinks I came back for money, but it wasn’t that. I swear I was told my nephew had perished. The fairies told me.” His eyes pleaded with Theo for understanding. “And I wanted to console my brother and repair our estrangement.” He dabbed at his eyes. “But mostly, I didn’t want to die one day and have no one to mourn me. Forgotten. You understand, don’t you?”

“I do, Uncle Erasmus.” Her heart filled with pity for him because she did know what it was like to feel overlooked. Different. To be less dazzling than your siblings. What would it matter if she gave Erasmus an allowance? Haven probably wouldn’t care. And Erasmus deserved some kindness.

“You must come to me at the start of the week,” she said softly, taking his hand, “and I will provide you with an allowance for your comforts, Uncle. But in return, you must promise not to sell anything else in this house. Or there will be nothing. No allowance. No coin for drink. Do you understand?” What a sad creature he was. “Do not touch Jacinda’s books.”

“I promise. Thank you, Theodosia. I knew from the moment we met that you and I would get on. My dear niece.”

“Good day, Uncle.” Relief at his leaving filled her, and she instantly reprimanded herself for being so cruel.

He bowed and shuffled out the door, muttering under his breath. Or singing. Theo wasn’t sure.

When Rolfe came to check on her barely a quarter-hour later, Theo requested tea and some of Mrs. Dottie’s currant scones, a new favorite of hers.

Anything to ease her suddenly unsettled stomach.

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