Page 1 of A Novel Lord (Sinclair Brothers #2)

(As divulged in The Lady’s Physician)

* * *

As the eldest of five brothers, it was up to Lucian Sinclair, the Earl of Garretson, to marry and beget an heir and a spare.

Or was it?

The very debate that follows took place in the autumn of 1815 while the five brothers relaxed in the library at Wyndhill Park enjoying a glass of brandy:

“You are getting rather long in the tooth,” Asher said to his eldest brother Lucian.

Xavier, second born and the spare, stopped at the threshold of the library and glanced around. “I can only assume you mean Lucian, as he is the eldest.”

“I mentioned that I am considering purchasing Greenhaven Cottage,” Asher, the fourth born, explained. “Lucian is not in agreement.”

Greenhaven Cottage was the estate that neighbored Wyndhill Park and stood vacant though sometimes let in the summer. “Why the purchase?” Xavier asked.

“We could extend the stables, more land for the horses, or maybe build our own track for racing,” he answered. “I would also live in the cottage.”

“There is no need for you to move from Wyndhill Park,” Lucian argued.

“Ah, but there is, as you cannot wait much longer to wed. I am certain that your future wife does not want four younger brothers underfoot.”

“There is no need for me to wed when I am certain one of you will see to the task.” Lucian frowned before he took a drink of his brandy.

“You are the Earl of Garretson,” Silas, the youngest reminded him. “Therefore, it is up to you to wed and produce an heir and a spare.”

“It is a rule, is it not?” Micah, the third born son asked. “I am certain that is a rule.”

“If it were, several titles would have been retired by now,” Lucian argued. “Yes, it is preferable, but not necessary. As we all share the same bloodline, specifically father, and none of us were born on the wrong side of the blanket, any of you could marry and produce the heir apparent. Therefore, it is not necessary that I do so just because I happened to be born first.”

“And the very reason I am happy to have been born fourth.” Asher grinned.

“It will not be me,” Xavier announced. “I have no desire to wed, nor father a child. Further, I already own a comfortable home in London. Therefore, there is no concern with me being underfoot.”

“I am only twenty. I certainly cannot consider a wife, or any woman at this juncture in my life,” Silas, argued.

“You speak as though you are a virgin,” Asher snorted.

An unanticipated blush spread across the face of the youngest brother.

“You are!” Asher pointed. “That must be rectified right away and once done, you will be considering women quite often.”

“If you enjoy women so well, then you should wed and go about begetting heirs in Greenhaven Cottage,” Silas challenged.

“The only breeding I am concerned with is that of our racers. The bloodline of Hercules is the one that needs to be continued. It is our future and fortune.”

“That leaves Micah to see to future generations,” Lucian offered with a grin.

“It will not be me,” he insisted. “Have you forgotten my injury.”

The brothers frowned with concern. “Your lower back, from being injured in battle. Does that mean that you can no longer…it has happened to others,” Xavier said with concern.

“I can assure you that only my back was injured. However, pain does make the act difficult,” Micah ground out.

“Then have her ride you.” Asher grinned. “It is often my preference as it leaves my hands free to fully enjoy that which is before me and to pleasure her in the most delightful ways.”

Micah glared at his brother but did not respond.

“One of us must produce a son, which is why I have a proposition,” Lucian announced. “Harwood Hall is not entailed, and therefore, can be given or sold to another.” Lucian’s lips quirked as he looked to Xavier. “You have often complained that those who suffer from madness are only driven further into it once they enter Bedlam. The manor is certainly large enough that you could establish your own hospital. It does boast twenty bedchambers.”

Xavier only offered a nod but did not commit.

Lucian then looked to Micah. “As Harwood Hall is near Eastbourne, you have only a short stroll to the beach, where you prefer to walk. The weather is also mild so you will not be plagued with additional pain brought on by the cold.”

“We have that not far from here,” Micah reminded him. “I stroll there often.”

Lucian frowned and turned his attention to another brother. “Asher, as you know, there are large stables, which remain empty, and land for the horses to graze.”

“The same is available on the neighboring estate,” Asher reminded him.

“Why should I want it?” Silas asked with a hint of curiosity in his tone.

“Income,” Lucian answered. “You would become a landed gentleman and not need to decide on a profession.”

“What exactly is your proposal, Lucian?” Xavier asked.

“The first of my brothers to wed and produce a son will receive Harwood Hall.”

“Say one of us does so, but then you marry and have a son?”

“My son will inherit the title and Wyndhill Park. Ownership of Harwood Hall will be given to the first brother to father a son no matter how long it takes.”

“Well, I have no need for such an estate. My work is in London.” Xavier tossed back what remained of his brandy.

“Nor I,” they each echoed.

“It will be one of us,” Lucian predicted. “The odds of none of us finding love is nearly impossible and when that happens, I will be happy for you.”

“You cannot simply sit around and hope that one of us marries,” Micah insisted.

Lucian settled back in his chair and cradled his glass of brandy.

“Two years. If none of you manage to meet the terms set forth for ownership of Harwood Hall, I will take myself off to London, endure a bloody Season instead of just attending Parliament, and marry the most pleasant woman I can find.”

As of this writing, and if you read The Lady’s Physician, the question of an heir remains unanswered.