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Selena told Jo all about her romance—although Jo was not certain that was an appropriate word for their relationship—with Mick, and Jo shared her escapades with the viscount. With all the secrets out in the open, it was as though it became easier to breathe. It gave them room to communicate freely, to tell each other foolish stories and their frivolous dreams.

They didn’t even notice when the dawn broke and both of them fell asleep right after Selena decided that she would stay at the house party for just a few more days.

* * *

“You want to travel to the Continent and leave me to care for my estates on my own,” Richard reiterated his brother’s words two days later as they sat in the Marquess of Vane’s study. The man had let Richard use it from time to time for his business during the house party. “I swear, everybody is trying to leave this damn place. First, Alan. Now you?”

Adam fidgeted in his seat in front of Richard. “I never got to travel. I studied hard, and then I immediately sought a position at the Secretary at War to be closer to Benedict. After he died, I… It took me a while to find the courage to look for something else. But even then I chose a safe route and just stayed at home. Now I want to experience something more.”

“Then get married,” Richard said darkly.

He had been in a sour mood for a few days now. After the night when Jo had left him in order to comfort her friend, he had barely seen her. She was not joining the guests for meals, and she barely left her room. He had inquired after her health in the notes he’d sent her, but all she had said was that she felt under the weather, but it was nothing serious and she would join the party soon.

Well, soon had passed. It had been over two days, and Richard was getting restless. On top of that, Adam now sought to leave him behind to travel the world.

“Yes, thank you. If I do get married, then I never get to explore this life. I want to do something of meaning before I shackle myself to a wife and children.”

“You are doing something of meaning. You are helping me.”

“Ah, and is that my fate?” Adam answered on a tired sigh.

Richard ran a hand through his hair. “Adam, our holdings are vast. I need help.”

“You have a steward, managers.” Adam waved the issue away.

“And I’d rather have you by my side.”

Adam snorted. “That is not what I want.”

Richard drummed his fingers against his desk. Adam had been becoming restless for quite some time. He had noticed it. But he hoped that his brother would settle into his role and sooner or later embrace the life of a landowner.

Apparently not. But there was more than one way to cure restlessness. “Our sisters found their passion in marriage, and so can you. There are plenty of ladies under this roof at the moment. Why don’t you see if anyone is to your liking?” Richard looked around the desk for a guest list. He’d seen it just a moment ago. “Ah! Here’s the guest list, you can even look through it and—”

“No need.” Adam narrowed his eyes at his brother, his gaze calculating. “If marriage is what you think I need, perhaps there is one lady I like.”

“Truly?” Richard dropped the list and studied Adam’s features. He didn’t like the expression on Adam’s face.

“Yes, a beautiful, exotic actress by the name of Jos—”

“Don’t even finish that sentence,” Richard growled.

Adam let out a bark of laughter. “Oh, brother. I did not know the depth of your infatuation.”

“That’s none of your business,” Richard gritted out. “But it’s not like you can marry an actress, anyway. So—”

“Why not?” Adam shrugged.

Richard raised his eyes heavenward. “You know why not. We cannot invite scandal onto our family. And a scandal is what an actress is sure to bring.” Richard swallowed, not breathing for a few moments as he said the damning words.

Adam studied him through narrowed slits. “So you are going to marry a respectable English miss, and I should stay by your side and help you with your estates. Does everybody but us get to be happy?”

Richard pursed his lips, holding back a smile. “Find yourself your respectable English miss, and I’ll see you happy, too.”

“You make it sound very simple, brother,” Adam said with a sigh.

“It is simple. A family is what makes a man happy.”

Adam let out a sigh again as if this conversation was turning him into an old man. “I am not certain I am ready to settle down with a family and half a dozen babes. Besides, you are not getting married. You are idling away your time with a scrumptious actress. Why should I be the first to marry?”