The Earl's Secret Passion by Gemma Blackwood

Author:Gemma Blackwood
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: 0
Published: 2018-04-24T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

As far as their party of bachelors was concerned, it was still early in the day when Robert came thundering back up the woodland path atop Thunder's broad back. He was not expecting anyone to be out of the house before mid-afternoon, after a late evening at the billiard table the night before.

When Hart stepped out in front of his horse, then, he was so surprised he barely pulled up the reins in time.

"Good morning, Hart," he said pleasantly. "I have just been for a ride, but I have no objection to staying out if you would like to join me."

"It's a fine day for it," said Jonathan, looping his hand through Thunder's reins. Robert didn't like the tone of his voice, and he liked another man having control of his horse's head even less. Since Hart seemed inclined to talk, Robert swung down from the horse to meet him face on.

"Something on your mind?"

"Only the direction you rode in from, brother."

"Scarcliffe Forest is as much my land as the Duke of Loxwell's, Hart."

"Ah." Hart's jaw tightened. "I did not want to be the first to bring up the Balfour family, but since you have…"

"I don't know what you're implying," said Robert, taking a step forward and forcing Hart to drop the reins and back away. "And I'm not sure I want to know. Come, let's go back to the house together."

"I don't think you want father to hear what I have to say to you."

Hart was a little shorter and a great deal slighter than Robert. He had inherited their mother's slender, elegant build, while Robert was as broadly-built as their father. Robert had never been intimidated by his younger brother, but that did not mean he relished the idea of a fight.

"You are seeing things which simply aren't there," he said, and made to lead Thunder along the path. Hart jumped in front of him and slammed the palm of his hand into Robert's chest.

"How can you betray our family so?" To Robert's amazement, Hart's voice was trembling with emotion. "You have always taught me that loyalty and family are everything. Now you're sneaking off to Loxwell Park to cavort with that – that –"

"Watch what you say next, Hart," Robert warned him, unable to bear the thought of Cecily being insulted. "Watch yourself very carefully."

"That Balfour," Hart spat. "I know you went after her the night of the masked ball. What dark magic has she worked on you?"

"Be careful how you speak of her!"

"I'll speak however I like about the Duke of Loxwell's strumpet of a daughter."

Robert's hand raised itself of its own accord. His fist clenched, and he only stopped it from landing on Jonathan's face with a great effort of will.

"Are you going to strike me, Robert?" asked Hart, not even flinching. He did not sound angry so much as hurt.

Robert sighed and lowered his fist. "That was a warning, Hart. Don't tempt me."

To his shock, Jonathan answered by shoving him hard in the chest.

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