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The o before the courts to officially renounce your title and Oak Run since the family seat lies adherent with the title"
Nick threw his hands up in the air "I don’t want it A refusal should suffice"
Grimley folded his hands in his lap and pursed his lips in disapproval Clearly, Nick did not meet his expectations Well, he could care less The solicitor had pushed his way into his life uninvited, and he didn’t owe hi
Grimley bent to pick up his leather satchel from the floor "I daresay you’ve suffered a shock I will leave you now to process this news You will surely co"
"I don’t think so" Nick bit out, his jaw aching fro his teeth
Grimley settled his somber, brown beaver hat on his head "Just so I’ll be in contact Much depends upon you Aside from the property, you bear responsibility for countless lives"
At his lifted eyebrow, Grimley explained "Tenants, servants And of course there are Lady Brookshire and her relations They still reside at Oak Run"
"Lady Brookshire?"
"Your brother’s ," Grimley replied as if he should have known
Had the ured out that he did not keep abreast of family matters? That Grimley in fact addressed the blackest sheep ever expelled froentle back, "Have a drink on your way out Just tell Fred at the bar it’s on the house"
Gri the unlikelihood of hi that offer
"Starchy fellow," Machis jaw to unclench
Mac kicked his feet up on the desk and wasted no ti to the point "Nicholas Caulfield, the Earl of Brookshire Nice ring to it, eh? You inheriting it all--that’s a good comeuppance for the old earl Fancy that! I’ve partnered up with a nob Wait till everyone hears Suppose thisabout here Can’t be seen with riffraff likeback in his leather chair, Nick laced his hands over his flat stoe Besides, I need to be here to keep an eye on business"
He raised a dark brow sardonically "You don’t expect me to leave it all to your care, do you?
Who would do the books? You can’t add two and two We’d be back on the streets in a month’s time"
Mac tossed a hand over his heart in mock pain "You wound et you your start?"
Nick raised his snifter of brandy to his partner in salute "I’ll give you that, but I was the talent, re hand to save your life" He grinned "Still can’t"
"I haven’t lost it," Mac defended, tapping his te to buy that racer I’ve hadThat pasty-faced nob does not qualify as talent He’s so in debt I could take the clothes off his back any day I choose"
Mac’s eyes widened "I had no idea he was that far gone Why’ve you let him carry on, then?
This is a business, Nick, not a charity"
"I don’t want the reputation that will go along with devastating a duke and his family Bad business, that Never fear, I shall collect the young lord’s debt in due tiave a little shake of his head "Should have known there was a business angle to it There ain’t a charitable bone in your body"
"Quite so," Nick agreed, neglecting to mention his transaction with old Basslye’s bride just
They sank into silence He knew Mac was giving his over in hisso heavily in the air It didn’t take long
"How can I be a part of that world again?" Nick spread his hands out wide in front of hi lessons and the next I’ ly head The old, sour taste he so loathed filled hisfrom the man that had destroyed his mother or fro of brandy, thinking he hter, and the faint whirring sound of a roulette wheel floated from below Nick knew he should ht and would pout if he didn’t come down, but he wasn’t in the mood to socialize The dark shadows of his past had been roused, spoiling his humor "I don’t intend to clai his heels on Nick’s desk "You could do that," he allowed
He knew there was oing to like what he heard
"But there’s power in the aristocracy, and that license we’ve been trying to get to open the ga hell across the river will be ours in a blink if it’s an earl asking"
Just discussing the inheritance roused a whole host of unco in his father’s shoes, noI’ve done, everything I’ve accomplished, has been with my oeat and blood"
He tapped the desk
"Aye, and taking the inheritance won’t change that"