To My Significant Bother, the Duke: A Historical Regency Romance Novel by Haverton Patricia

Author:Haverton, Patricia
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Patricia Haverton
Published: 2021-11-26T00:00:00+00:00

The three men sat back as they waited for the meals while Vicary’s eyes fell onto the scandal sheet.

“That rag again. Did you see the story about the tax evasion?” Vicary shook his head and took a sip. “Dreadful.”

Lucian pursed his lips together when a thought came to him.

“Indeed. I’m quite shocked that some of our brethren might take such an approach. But what Lady Fluffington said there was about the men involved using their influence to avoid paying taxes. Do you know what that might mean?”

He felt a little badly about questioning Vicary in such away. He wouldn’t have taken such an approach usually, but the man struck him as a little zany and likely to reveal information if he had it. Before he could, his cousin spoke up.

“Why I take it she means the new law some of the lords are trying to pass, an exemption of sorts.”

Lucian slipped forward in his seat. “An exemption? Of what? Taxes? For whom?”

Vicary cleared his throat and waved a hand. “It was a feeble attempt to ease the burden of taxation on imports like textiles and such for members of the House of Lords. It failed as it didn’t have enough support.”

Lucian stared at Vicary. An attempt to ease tax burdens on the riches in the country? What a ludicrous idea that was.

“Do you recall who was involved in this venture?” He asked, but Vicary shrugged.

“I can’t. Allister and Peterborough, I believe. I’ll say it was a little haughty.” He shrugged and downed his port without looking at Lucian just as dinner was served.

“I wouldn’t put it past them to try again,” Lord Dexter said as he cut into a piece of venison and devoured it with greed.

“Why do you say that?” Lucian asked. His appetite had left him. This was so much new information, and he wanted to share it desperately with Marion. Between the attempted tax-avoidance scheme and the article in the scandal sheet, there was much to talk about. How it all related back to Lady Fluffington’s identity, he didn’t quite know but somehow, it was.

As they ate and drank their way through dinner, the conversation drifted from the matters at hand to civil whiskers. The majority of the conversation was dominated by Lord Dexter’s impressions of London, particularly the cuisine and food.

“I will say I don’t miss fish,” he chuckled and waved his hand for another glass of port. “When you live near the sea, fish is somewhat of a staple,” he said and dabbed the corners of his mouth.

“I’ll tell you what I would like. A brandy,” Vicary said with a deep sigh.

His cousin’s eyes grew wide. “Indeed. I had the most magnificent brandy just the other day at the home of my friend, Georgie. Do you recall it?”

Vicary pressed his thumb, index, and middle fingers together and kissed them. “Magnifique, as they say in France.” He leaned in and winked. “Which is where the brandy comes from.”

Lucian frowned. “Brandy from France? That’s rather difficult to come by.

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