Page 28 of A Dangerous Lord (Regency Spies & Secrets 3)

“I am well aware of my lineage.”

“You were destined to be so much more than what you have become.”

Corbyn poured himself a drink. “And what is that, exactly?”

“Come now,” Simon said, his voice dripping with disapproval, “you work at the Home Office.”

“I know.”

“It is not befitting the son of a duke to have a job.”

“Pray tell, how would I make an income, then?” Corbyn asked, bringing the glass to his lips.

His brother stiffened. “You have an allowance.”

Corbyn chuckled dryly. “Yes,” he replied, “an allowance that is contingent on me behaving the way Father sees fit.” He shook his head. “No, thank you.”

“Regardless, that money is being deposited into an account with your name on it every month,” Simon said. “You could access that account and stop working at the Home Office.”

“What would I do with my time?”

“What every other gentleman of thetondoes,” Simon asserted, “live a life of leisure and excess.”

“I’ll pass.”

Simon walked over to stand next to him and reached for the decanter. “If you would like, you could help me oversee all of the properties and manage the duchy.”

“Why isn’t Father doing that?”

“You know full well that Father prefers being immersed in politics.”

Corbyn tossed back his drink and placed the empty glass on the drink cart. “I will pass on your offer,” he said. “I know it couldn’t have been easy for you to even suggest that.”

“It wouldn’t be as terrible as it sounds,” Simon attempted. “I’d even be willing to gift you one of our unentailed estates, and you can run it as you see fit.”

“Tempting,” he muttered, “but, no.”

Simon frowned. “You are stubborn, like Father.”

“I am happy with my life,” Corbyn said, walking over to a blue velvet settee.

“In this shabby place?”

Corbyn huffed. “It is sufficient for my needs.”

“You are embarrassing the family,” Simon asserted as he came to sit across from him. “You can’t keep going on as you have.”

“There it is,” Corbyn declared. “In what way am I embarrassing the family?”

“You are nearly thirty-two and unwed, have little by way of prospects, and are living in a ramshackle townhouse,” Simon declared.

“As to why I am not married, it is because I don’t need an heir, since I am only the spare,” Corbyn pointed out.

“Right now, you are my heir presumptive because Catherine hasn’t been able to get pregnant.”

“You have only been married for a few years.”

“It has been five years now,” Simon corrected, “and I am starting to lose hope.”

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