page53 (1/2)

‘And Matthew?’ His brother, the perfect Te, physical A hard rider, a hard drinker, a hard gambler, a hearty philistine A man’s man and always the apple of their father’s eye

‘Matthew drinks, gambles, whores,’ his mother said, her lips stiff with distaste for the words ‘He was never an intellectual’ Her raised brow dared Alex to co up the work of the earldoents do their best, but your father was always a man who kept his hand and his eyes on every aspect of all the estates, the business interests, the finances He thought that Matthew took after him’

‘And that—as he did not believe I would marry, let alone father an heir, then—Matthew, or his son, would one day inherit it all When did he realise?’

‘That Mattheas incapable of reat inheritance? Not until he became so ill and even noill not admit he needs help’

‘Of course not That wouldme back’ Alex settled back in the chair, took a deep breath, found so I iry man’

‘You ry yourself’ His ry with me’

‘You were in an iinning His eneration that would support their husbands whatever kind of tyrant they were It was simply how she had been raised ‘Do you believe I a to discuss with one’s mother

‘That you arenot interested in women? Of course not I have eyes in ht down to see Mary at the White Swan’ For the first tiine I could tell you the date you lost your virginity And while your letters to ht shock a ossip’

Alex had thought hi ‘Does he know you sent for me?’

His ant and feminine as he always remembered her ‘I told him I would, but he did not believe me I have never disobeyed him before, you see’

I never knew she had the courage That I did not reot to his feet, went to take her arm