Page 9 of The Dark Side of the Earl (Lords of Pleasure 1)

“A month for the moment. But you need to write to me before the month is up to let me know if you’re coming back or you need your leave extended.”

Nathan didn’t want to stay any longer than he had to. He had been doing a lot of thinking and felt a month would do. He dropped his book onto his bed.

“Chances are Mother will want me to stay whether she’s dying or not.”

“And you don’t believe she’s dying.”

Nathan rolled his eyes. “The doctors themselves can’t tell if someone is dying until it’s about to happen, so how is she supposed to know? And…” He grimaced. “It’s not exactly tugging at my heartstrings. I’m not sure what to feel about it.”

Sharpe’s mouth twitched in a slight smile.

“Sounds like my mother-in-law. She keeps saying either come home or die, then I won’t be upsetting my wife so much.”

Nathan blinked. “She what? How did your wife take that?”

“My wife knows the risks, and she’s the one who keeps telling her mother to keep out of our marriage. The old bat doesn’t seem to understand where she’s not allowed.” Sharpe grimaced. “If I did end up going home, it would be to pack up my family and move them to a place where that woman can’t find them, just so they have some peace and quiet.” He put his hat on Nathan’s little table and folded his arms. “But, like me, you don’t have to do as any older woman in your family demands. You’re the Earl of Brixton. You’re in charge.”

Nathan snorted. “She may not be able to get me to do as she wants, but she can give it a good try. I’m thinking this is another ploy of hers to get me to come back.”

“Why not write back and tell her to stop?”

Nathan had wondered about that himself. But then he read over the letter again, and he knew that he needed to go home.

“I don’t know.” He gestured for his General to sit as he settled back down on the edge of his makeshift bed, resting his elbows on his knees. “But something’s not right, Sir. There was language in her letter that made me pause.” Nathan drummed his fingers against the knuckles of his other hand. “It’s best that I go back and make sure things are safe and well at home. It will put my mind at rest.”

“You don’t want to dismiss it and then receive news that something really was wrong.” Sharpe said quietly.

“Precisely.” Nathan relaxed. At least his commanding officer understood. He sat back. “I wonder what this means for me.”

“How do you mean?”

“I mean, am I still Captain Reynolds when I get back to London? Or do I have to take up the title of the Earl of Brixton?”

Sharpe smiled. “Well, you can be both, so you can choose how you want to be addressed. It shouldn’t be that difficult to decide.”

“It isn’t.” Nathan lifted his chin. “I prefer Captain Reynolds. Much better ring than Lord Brixton.”

“Then that is your call. In your position and your military record behind you, no one’s going to argue with you.”

“Mother will.” Nathan grunted. “I know she will.”

“And you can tell her that it’s nothing to do with her.” Sharpe tapped his fingers on the table. “What do you think she’s up to?”

“I’m not sure. But it’s something big. Something other than planning for her funeral.”

“Maybe…” Sharpe looked almost amused. “Maybe she’s found you a bride and is desperate for you to come back and marry.”

Nathan made a face and shuddered, which had Sharpe laughing.

“I didn’t realize you were so averse to it.”

“I’m adverse to being made to marry someone and it’s not on my terms. Mother knows that. I’ve refused to go home each time when she said there was a young lady who would be perfect for me.”

“Maybe she’s saying that she’s dying and covering up a meeting with a prospective bride.”

Nathan wouldn’t be surprised. It would be something that Vanity Reynolds would do. She always had to have things her way, and her image was everything. Having only one child who ran off to join the army as soon as he was old enough had to be somewhat embarrassing, which Vanity hid behind supposed pride that her son was serving his country. She had always wanted Nathan to settle down and marry as soon as possible, which had resulted in Vanity putting ideas into Lorraine Brooks’ head that Nathan had a fancy for her. Unfortunately, she had chosen a woman who had taken it without any proof and refused to believe that Nathan didn’t care for her at all.

Oh, God. Nathan shuddered. He hoped Vanity hadn’t decided that Lorraine and Nathan were destined to be together now that Lorraine was a widow. She had had children with her husband, so she would be able to provide more but Nathan felt nauseous at the thought of having a child with Lady Lorraine Chapman. His mother knew his thoughts on that woman. Lorraine was one of the reasons he was keeping away from London.

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