Page 83 of Tempting the Earl

The curt response triggered a swift urge to argue, but he remained patient as he waited for his brother to clarify the objection.

“I’d prefer to settle my own account and see to my belongings myself,” Thomas stated firmly. Then he gave a slight shrug of his broad shoulders. “If it’s all the same.”

“Of course. Whatever you wish.” Colin cleared his throat. “Dinners have become rather informal but I’d be pleased if you’d join us this evening.”

A pause. “I’ll consider it.”

Colin nodded, wishing once again that he knew what to say to put the younger man more at ease. Roderick would likely toss out some light quip. Even Ainsworth would no doubt have the perfect thing to say. Caillie would simply flash a bright and winning smile and insist the man relax. Colin, on the other hand, could only stand there awkwardly as everything he wanted to say seemed not quite right.

Thomas shifted his weight from one foot to the other as he glanced toward the front door. It appeared as though he was about to walk away then suddenly changed his mind. His dark gaze dropped to the floor briefly before bouncing back up to Colin’s face.

“Listen, uh, my lord,” he started, his tone gruff and hesitant. “I’m not good at this sort of thing. I lead a simple life. I work hard. I care for my family. I sleep well at night. All this”—he made a gesture to indicate the admittedly opulent entry hall before including Colin himself with a short nod—“is all very foreign to me. But I’m here. And I’ll stay as long as I can spare away from my responsibilities. That’s all I can promise for now.”

Colin felt the honesty of the other man’s words and realized how difficult it had been for him to make even that concession. He had no choice but take a risk and reveal a bit of his own truth.

“That’s more than enough, Mr. Thomas.” He took a breath and met his brother’s hard gaze. “The truth is, I’m not very good at this sort of thing, either.” He allowed a wry smile to tilt his lips. “But I’m trying to do better. I’ve recently discovered that opening oneself up to new things can prove to be worth the supposed risk.”

His brother’s eyes narrowed briefly, then he gave a sort of gruff grunt of acknowledgement before asking, “Do you really think Max Owen can be found?”

“I hope so,” Colin replied readily.

“And what then? Even if he’s innocent of the murder charge, he could prove to be no better than a common criminal. Why risk your name and reputation? Why go to such trouble for a stranger?”

Colin met the younger man’s dark, distrustful eyes. “Because he’s our brother.”

The answer was clear enough for Colin, but it seemed only to distress his brother more.

“Our sire was a cold-hearted, wretched excuse for a man who didn’t give a damn how his actions would affect anyone but himself,” Colin continued. “Owen had no choice in the life he was dealt or how he may have been forced to survive. I’d like to give him one.”

Thomas’s heavy brows lowered over his narrowed stare. “And if he chooses to continue along his criminal path?”

Colin considered his answer carefully. But there was really only one true response. “I’d still like to know him.”

Thomas’s features were drawn and tense as he seemed to work through Colin’s reply. There was turmoil within him, that much was clear, but he did appear to be making some effort to overcome it—or at least, to understand the other side of things.

“May I ask you something, Mr. Thomas?” Colin said, giving in to a rare impulse.

When the other man hesitated but then gave a short nod, Colin continued carefully, “I understand if you’d rather not say, or if doing so would betray some confidence, but I’m curious what our sister said to you this morning to change your mind about staying.”

Thomas started shifting his weight again, clearly discomfited, but then he gave another shrug. “After taking a few moments to berate me for thinking to leave London without ever meeting her, she sat me down and quite frankly explained how I was being a coward.”

Colin lifted his brows in surprise but didn’t interrupt.

“She asserted that none of us would have chosen the father we were given. But that it’s something we all have in common.” He glanced down and gave a short chuckle. “Then she suggested the best way to get back at the arsehole would be to completely nullify his plan for sowing hatred and vengeance by coming together and finding some way to move forward...as a family.” He lifted his brows. “And yes, she did use the word arsehole.”

Colin couldn’t hold back a short laugh. “That doesn’t surprise me.”

“She’s very persuasive, that one,” Thomas noted with a shake of his head. “And frightfully clever.”

“That she is,” Colin agreed with an easy grin.

Chapter Twenty-eight

Unfortunately, Caillie’s lessons that day didn’t go well at all. And though Ainsworth tried, the fault was as much due to her own persistent distraction as it was to anything else. After only a short time of pointless struggle to stay on task, she threw her hands up in defeat.

“That’s it. No more. We’re going to the park.”

Caillie leapt to her feet. “I’ll fetch Bramble.”

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