Page 19 of Tempting the Earl

Finally displaying a bit of the intuition he was well known for, Roderick held his tongue and took the opposite seat.

Different from the others, Colin and Roderick had known about their association through the prior earl all their lives—as did all of London—and had existed in a pattern of mutual avoidance. Whenever they’d happened to find themselves at the same social gathering, one of them would simply leave. It had become so natural over the years Colin had barely even thought about it.

Once he’d discovered the existence of other illegitimate siblings, Colin had known he couldn’t start making things right while still sidestepping the brother he already knew. He’d understood, of course, why Roderick hadn’t wanted anything to do with the legitimate son of the man who’d refused to acknowledge him. But he’d never truly understood his own avoidance until he’d made the decision several months ago to reach out to the brother so close to him in age. The resentment and distrust in the other man’s eyes—which so closely resembled their father’s—had been difficult to overcome.

Gratefully, though the progress had been slow at first as they both fought past some ingrained patterns of self-preservation, Colin felt as though they’d finally been developing some common ground between them. Despite their very clear differences, they’d manage to establish a relationship of sorts. Not a brotherhood yet. But it was something. Even so, it wasn’t until Colin received Nightshade’s initial reports on the whereabouts of the others that he advised Roderick he wasn’t their father’s only bastard.

And he’d regretted it ever since.

No. That wasn’t exactly true. He just hadn’t anticipated the force of the other man’s interest in the issue. He’d expected his brother to treat the news of other siblings in the same way he’d always treated Colin—with open derision and evasion. In contrast, Roderick had been relentless in his requests for updates on Colin’s efforts to find their brothers and sister.

In general, Roderick had made a significant nuisance of himself.

And apparently intended to continue doing so.

Colin met the other man’s expectant stare, but when he didn’t say anything, Roderick spoke instead.

His tone was as casually arrogant as the man was himself. “You should’ve let me come with you to Scotland. Children adore me.”

Colin frowned. “Caillie is not the issue. She’s very bright and quite amiable under the circumstances.”

Roderick’s brow lifted again. “So, it’s the woman who has you all tense and out of sorts. Miss Morgan.”

Colin sipped his brandy to avoid replying. His brother’s uncanny knack for reading people could be very annoying. And Colin was decidedly unaccustomed to such purposeful intrusion. After a lifetime of keeping his inner thoughts and feelings as inaccessible as possible, Colin struggled to share even the smallest details of his personal life with others. And now he had a brother who managed to see through his carefully constructed shields with very little difficulty.

The strangest thing about it, however, was that despite himself, Colin trusted Roderick not to use such an unprecedented advantage against him. It’s not something he ever would have fathomed being possible just a year ago.

The other man chuckled as he leaned back in his chair to cross one ankle over the opposite knee. “What’s the matter, Wright? Does the lady think you’re too high in the instep? A bit too condescending for her taste?”

Irritation tugged at Colin’s brow. His brother had gotten the right of it. Again. “She doesn’t trust me or my motives for wanting Caillie here.”

“Smart woman,” Roderick noted approvingly. “But it’s important for the girl to form her own opinions of the...situation and how she’d like to move forward. Do you think Miss Morgan might intentionally try to color our sister’s experience in the negative?”

Colin didn’t have to consider the question for long. “No. I believe she has our sister’s best interests at heart. But the girl is very loyal to her and will certainly take her feelings into account when making any decisions.”

“When can I meet her?” Roderick asked, pressing forward his true agenda. “Emma is as anxious as I am to welcome the girl to the family.” His grin was slightly sardonic. “Such as it is.”

Colin would have liked to put it off a bit longer. Mainly to allow things to settle but also because of his own selfish desire to get to know his sister a bit more before sharing her with others. In truth, there was a possibility Roderick and his wife could help to convince Miss Morgan how earnestly they were devoted to ensuring Miss Claybourne’s well-being.

As much as he hated to admit it, Roderick’s charm might be exactly what was needed to soften Miss Morgan’s attitude.

Even as he had the thought, Colin’s stomach tightened with resistance. But he was too pragmatic to allow his own discomfort to get in the way of the ultimate goal.

“How about dinner?” he finally suggested.

“Tomorrow?”

“Friday.”

“Wednesday,” Roderick countered.

Three days away. After a moment, Colin gave a short nod.

“At my home.”

This time he shook his head. “Here.”

It looked like his brother might try to argue that point, but after a moment, he nodded instead. Then his features shifted into a more serious expression. “Any further replies from Thomas?”

---