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There was a brief pause, and then Stephen spluttered. “Time? She wants you to spendtimetogether? Oh, heavens. She wants to be wooed.”

“It’s not like that at all.”

“Are you sure? That is what it sounds like.” Stephen paused, hesitating, then spoke again. “Considering the circumstances, is it a good idea to find Henry and bring him home?”

Theodore pressed his lips together. “He must be found. He cannot embarrass us like this. I am the head of this family, and perhaps I’ve given him too much free rein. That will stop. But first, I have to find him. At the very least, he owes Anna an apology. What would she have done if I hadn’t married her? Henry never thinks ahead. He is not cruel, never has been, but he can be thoughtless enough for it toseemlike cruelty.”

“As opposed to you and I, who are straightforwardly cruel.”

“Don’t make a joke of all this.”

“I’m not. Truly, Theodore, I’m not.” Stephen hesitated for a moment, then reached out to pat Theodore’s knee. “Look. Listen to me, you miserable man. You have a chance at a new beginning. A fresh start. Regardless of what happened to you in the past, or how you have been hurt, tomorrow can always be different from today, do you understand?”

“Goodness,” Theodore said wryly. “What an inspiring phrase. Perhaps I’ll ask my new wife to stitch it into a sampler.”

“Don’t mock me, Theo. You know I’m right.”

“Listen. Anna and I have got it all worked out. Once there is an heir, we’ll go our separate ways. It’s really quite simple.”

Stephen narrowed his eyes. “Ah, yes. I forgot how famously simple life is. Silly me.”

He gestured elegantly for a waiter, who hurried over to take away their empty brandy glasses.

“Two more, then?” he asked, his eyebrows raised.

Theodore shook his head. “I’ll go home, I think. I’m not in the mood for too much drinking today. Thank you for your advice, though. I’ll choose which parts of it to take.”

Stephen chuckled. “You always do. But in all seriousness, think on what I said. A fresh start could do you good. Henry has gone off searching for one, so why can’t you step back and clear your head before you twist your life into a knot too tight to detangle?”

Theodore rose smoothly to his feet. “Because I am the Duke of Langdon, Stephen. There’s no room for me tostep back. For now, continue looking for Henry if you will.”

He turned to go, but Stephen spoke again, stopping him. “What did the letter say?”

Theodore glanced back at him. “Hm?”

“The letter from Henry. What did it say?”

“I didn’t read it.”

Stephen pursed his lips. “Hm. Did she prevent you?”

“No.”

“Then don’t you think you should?”

“I think that is my business, Stephen, and none of yours.”

Stephen shrugged, not offended in the slightest. “As you like.”

“My aim is that by the time my brother returns—and hewillreturn if I have to drag him home by the scruff of his neck—my wife will bemine.”

Stephen tilted his head to the side, an inquisitive bird. “You seem to care a great deal about possessing this woman, Theo. One would almost think that you were jealous of Henry.”

Theodore clenched his teeth. “I am many things, my friend, but I am notjealousof my brother, I can assure you of that.”

Stephen smiled brightly. “Well, I am entirely convinced.”

CHAPTER 12