to take on such a role. His father had ignored him all his life, teaching his heir apparent all about estate business. Knowing Ham as he did, Dez knew his brother hadn’t done much managing of the estate once he had assumed the title. Ham had always run with a fast crowd, drinking and gambling with abandon. Tending to estate business would be the last thing Ham might have done well or been interested in. Because of that, Dez couldn’t help but wonder what the state of affairs would be upon his return.
He would need to sell his commission immediately. He owed it to his tenants at Torville Manor. And thank the heavens above because this swift turn of events gave him an excuse to leave the ugliness of war. His only regret would be leaving Rhys behind. They had grown closer than any brothers could.
Rising, Dez folded the letter and placed it in his pocket. He left their shared tent and went in search of his friend, finding him watching a card game from a distance. He signaled and Rhys joined him.
“What news does your irascible twin send?” Rhys’ lips twitched with amusement. “Have her boys been up to no good again?”
“The letter wasn’t from Dalinda. It came from my brother’s solicitor.” He paused. “Ham is dead.”
His friend drew in a sharp breath. “Then you are now Earl of Torrington.”
Dez nodded slowly. “I am. And I haven’t the faintest idea how to be a titled lord.”
Rhys clasped his shoulder. “Dez, you will make for a wonderful earl. You have a keen intelligence. You always seem to have a solution for any problem that arises. Why, I believe you will be the best Torrington the estate has ever seen,” he proclaimed. “Better yet, you will soon leave this cesspool behind in order to take up your duties.”
He smiled ruefully. “I suppose I must.” He studied Rhys a moment. “Will you ever leave the army? I know nothing of your background, other than some patron bestowed your commission upon you.”
“It was the Earl of Sheffington,” his friend revealed.
“Why?”
“My mother is a distant cousin. The earl’s son is not strong. Sheffington hedged his bets. Found me when I was fifteen and saw me tutored for three years before I entered the army. If the viscount dies, I am Sheffington’s heir.”
The news Rhys revealed startled Dez. “Then you might also one day be an earl.”
Rhys shrugged. “I am not counting on it. Raleigh is a year older than I am and he’s still alive. Frankly, I don’t care one way or the other.”
He knew there was much more to the story and hoped one day his friend would share it with him.
“Will you write to me?”
Rhys looked at him as if he’d gone mad. “You really want to hear about . . . this?” He raised his arms and gestured to the hundreds of soldiers around them.
“I want to hear from you,” he emphasized. “And I will write in return. No one knows me as you do, my friend. I will need a sounding board.”
Laughing, Rhys said, “I am probably the last person who should render advice to you.”
Dez also laughed. “I am most likely the last person who would take it.” He grew serious. “I will miss you. Other than Dalinda, I have never been so close to anyone.”
A moment passed between them and then Rhys said, “If this bloody war ever ends, I will come and look you up. That’s a promise.”
He sighed. “I suppose I should go and speak to someone about selling out.”
By morning, Dez had made the necessary arrangements and had officially resigned his commission from His Majesty’s Army. He said goodbye to Rhys and caught a ride on a farmer’s cart to the nearest town, where he bought a shirt, pants, and a coat. None of them was fashionable but they weren’t clothing that reminded him of the army. He was ready to disassociate himself with everything remotely involved with soldiering although he did carry an order that would see him on a ship and safely back to England.
The next day, he boarded the vessel and looked ahead, never once glancing back at Spain.
Chapter Six
Gillingham
Dez passed through the village of Gillbrook and rode the two miles to Gillingham, home to the Duke and Duchess of Gilford. He had arrived safely back in England and before traveling to Surrey, he had detoured to Kent in order to see his twin, the other half to himself. He would say