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“Yes, you were,” she argued. “You are the firstborn son. It is your birthright to be the Duke.”

“Not as far as my father was concerned, and his word was the only one that mattered to him.”

“But how can a father do that? He was not powerful enough to do that, and there was no other way for him to choose an heir, was there?”

Graham steadied his breathing, looking at Samantha, who had her eyes wide.

“My father,” he explained, “was a terrible man.”

CHAPTER 13

Graham never understood what his father was thinking in life nor in death.

As a child, it was explained to him rather bluntly that he would inherit a title, but that it meant nothing. The only thing that mattered was money, and so one had to have extensive amounts of it or else they were nothing.

It only became worse after the death of their mother. His father, now, had complete control, and there was no longer a kind voice in the background to tell the boys that they were perfect as they were and that they should not let some competition their father had invented divide them. Without their mother, they did not stand a chance with the exception of their eldest, it appeared.

Graham wanted no part in it, and he never had. The more his brothers schemed and tricked and fooled, the more determined he was to never lower himself to that level. Money meant nothing to him if he did not earn it honestly, and so if it meant that he would be without, then he would be.

“I say, Graham,” Nicholas said to him one morning. “You are terribly undukely. Why, by ten and five, you truly should begin to prepare to be given your title.”

“How kind of you to wish ill of Father,” he grimaced. “Regardless, you are no more mature than me simply because you have obtained whiskey.”

“It is not a difficult concept to grasp, Graham. Alcohol is for those that are of age. I have purchased it and am therefore of age.”

“If that is truly your stance on the matter, then we all ought to be happy that you are not the oldest.”

“You can have the title, but Father will give me the estates. I do not know why the three of you make any attempt to claim them at all. We all know that I am his favorite.”

“I would rather be impoverished than be in that man’s favor. It astounds me that you think it is any good showing on your character.”

“Graham, when will you at last learn that your character counts for nought? All you must do is be wealthy, and then other gentleman shall have no choice but to like you. Nobody respects a man that has no respect for himself, and you clearly have none with how content you are to let me take over what should rightfully be yours.”

“I do not want it. It is bad enough that I am to receive the dukedom. You are welcome to the estates, for I do not want them. I could not care less for them if I tried, and I have indeed tried.”

“And it is reasoning like that,” his father bellowed as he entered, “that makes me reluctant to give you the dukedom at all.”

“You have no choice but to,” Graham sighed.

“No,” Nicholas chimed. “And it is a great shame because I believe I would fare far better. Do you not agree, Father?”

“Of course,” he agreed. “You are stern and cutthroat and determined to make an impression, be it good or bad. I will say that it is between yourself and William at this moment in time, but you do continuously make a good showing for yourself.”

“Why would you choose William over me?”

“He is older than you.”

“It is only by two years,” Nicholas argued, “and I am quite sure that I best him in terms of anything that comes with age.”

“Once again, I cannot help but agree,” their father laughed darkly, “but a lot can change between now and when I make my decision. You mustn’t rest on your laurels and think that I will choose you simply because I favor you.”

He walked away, leaving the two boys together once more.

“I told you that he favors me.”

“And I told you that it is of no matter to me. I do not want the estates, and I do not care which of the three of you receives them. I hope you enjoy them, whichever it is.”

“It will be me; there is no question about it. You heard Father.”