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One

Once upon a time, Tobias Randall had expected a simple future; education, honest employht future and discarded hiers of the sea

Tobias glanced about his Romsey Abbey wasn’t the home he’d expected to return to However, since his brother Leopold resided here,the estate for the Duchess of Rouest if he wanted to be close to his brother

"Can I be of service, Mr Randall?"

Tobias turned toward the voice and found Ro at the doorway "I'm well set up here, Wilcox"

“You ht” Leopold strode into the room and waved Wilcox away “Come with me, Tobias”

Tobias glanced around as he followed along “I thought you ht be busy for a while with Her Grace”

“The duchess has retired for the night,” Leopold said in a tone that allowed no discussion “It’s been an exhausting day for her”

Tobias sed, conscious that Leopold ry with him “Wilcox is exactly as I remember How do you stand him?”

“Wilcox has been of great value to the duchess and to me” Leopold strode up the stairs quickly “Unlike some I can name”

“Mama never trusted him and I don’t either,” Tobias said quietly as he followed along, gawking at the richness about him He had learned the hard hen to trust his instincts There was soer on what

Leopold hurried hi a dim hall As they rounded a corner, Tobias spotted a , whispering urgently to each other They stopped speaking suddenly and then the maid scurried away What exactly was inside that roo? And then it struck him The mad countess was likely housed in there

Leopold stopped one door shy of that bedchamber and turned the knob “Here you are”

Wonderful! Berthed next door to a ht and whisper evil through the walls Tobias crossed the threshold and whistled If he’d thought downstairs was impressive, he’d been mistaken This room could easily be part of a palace Deep red velvet curtained a wide bed, roaring fire burning in the hearth, and a set of large s that he could easily escape through Certainly not the worst sleeping place he’d been in He glanced over his shoulder at Leopold “Bit srander?”

“Tobias,” Leopold growled in warning “Do not push my patience”

“Sorry The change is a lot to take in After all, just a feeeks ago I was a seaman aboard a whaler I never expected a elcome at Romsey”

Leopold slapped his shoulder “It does take so used to”

A knock sounded on the door and Leopold bid them enter Two footmen set a copper tub before the fire and twowater to fill it Tobias shook his head He’d not had a servant forused to

Another servant crossed the threshold and when their eyes connected Tobias scowled Ea and the look in Murphy’s eyes hinted he hadn’t entirely forgotten the pranks Tobias had played on hi here?”

Murphy’s eyes narrowed to slits “I really didn’t miss you”

“The feeling is completely mutual”

“Your valet sent these for Tobias, Mr Randall” Murphy laid a clean shirt and trousers on the bed “Your brother has engagedwork Just like old times My first duty is to see that you are fit to be seen”

Tobias scowled and crossed his arht loose your teeth”

“Oh, for God’s sake,” Leopold spluttered “Have you two not outgrown this childish competition Tobias, you will be made presentable and Murphy will assist”