Heiress in Red Silk (Duke's Heiress #2) - Madeline Hunter Page 0,45

it.”

“I never sneer.”

They both laughed. “You sneer so much, you don’t even know it is a sneer anymore,” Chase said. “Now, tell us what decision you are contemplating, Nicholas. I doubt it is marriage, because you have not expressed particular interest in any of the young ladies on the marriage mart this Season.”

“Which doesn’t mean one of them hasn’t captured him,” Kevin said.

“It has nothing to do with marriage.” Nicholas stood a little straighter. “I have long believed that Philip would find a better path as he got older, but it hasn’t happened. I made excuses for his wastrel ways and lack of honorable behavior, what with his father being a bad influence and his mother—well, all of that. However, after last night I have concluded that like many family trees, ours has a badly formed branch on it. I am inclined to saw it off the trunk.”

Kevin did not hide his astonishment. Nicholas, who had taken on the role of duke with much reservation, now intended to wield that power in a way rarely seen.

“Are you sure?” Chase said.

“No. Which is why you are here.”

That did not explain why Kevin was here, but he didn’t press the point.

“I’m not sure I can help,” Chase said.

“You can tell me what you meant last night when you said it wasn’t the first time.”

Chase did not look inclined to do that. After a long moment, he sighed. “Early on, during that family gathering that was held here after Uncle died, I came upon Philip importuning Minerva in the library. She had taken service so she could conduct a few discreet inquiries. He had backed her up near the fireplace and would not allow her to leave.”

“You mean she was making inquiries into us,” Kevin said. “Posing as a servant.” He began searching his memory of that house party to see if he remembered her being there.

“The point is that Philip had blocked her way out and was—” Chase’s jaw hardened and twitched, making him appear like the army officer he had once been. “He had grabbed her arm and was speaking of much more, and was telling her how no one would believe her if she complained. I stopped him, of course. Just as well.”

“So he is the kind who will press his advantage with his inferiors,” Nicholas said. “Not unusual, only he refuses to stand down when refused. He is too lazy even to seduce. He just assaults and uses his station in dishonorable ways. I daresay he has done worse than we know about.”

Kevin’s mind had settled on something else. “What did you mean, Chase, when you said just as well?”

“What he did not see was that she had found a poker behind her, with her other hand. One might say I saved Philip from Minerva, not the other way around.”

“Too bad.”

Chase ignored that. “What are your intentions, Nicholas?”

“I will no longer receive him. When I inform the rest of the family of this, they won’t either.”

“Which means almost no one will, once word gets out,” Kevin said.

“I will also let it be known that he has no expectations from this family, least of all from me. My will shall be changed so he is in no way a beneficiary, should there be anything to be had by anyone, which at the moment seems unlikely. If one of the aunts decides to indulge him, either while she lives or after she passes, that is her business. The question for this morning is, do you think I am being too harsh?”

“You will ruin him socially and financially,” Kevin said. “On the other hand, you will spare untold tradesmen a lot of misery.”

“And perhaps the money lenders will give him wide berth, if it is known the family will not make good his debts,” Chase added. “It could be a blessing of sorts.”

“I don’t care if it is or it isn’t. I long ago gave up any belief that he would grow to understand that being a gentleman is not only about leisure and fashion. If my actions make him a better man, all to the good, but that is not my goal.” A scowl marred his brow again. “I will tell him to write an apology to Miss Jameson, not that I expect he will do it.”

“Someone should,” Chase said. “Whatever Minerva said last night was hardly sufficient.”

“I will,” Kevin said. “She only suffered that because she had the misfortune to attract the family’s attention due to our partnership.”

“Her inheritance would

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