A Passionate Endeavor by Sophia Nash Page A

activities cause him.”
    Nicholas detested when someone could see
through him.
    “Ah, but my brother has never complained
about anything in his entire life,” Edwin offered. “He made it very
difficult for a younger brother to follow in his footsteps.” Edwin
smiled. “And never a false step. He always played by the rule book,
always followed the straight and narrow, and all that—a difficult
act to follow.”
    Nicholas sat up straighter, ignoring the pain
in his thigh.
    “You are jesting, Edwin. It was you who
brought all the fine marks from university. We were all so proud of
you.”
    Edwin smiled and preened just the smallest
amount. “It was a jolly time there, I do admit. I was lucky how
easy it all came to me. Barely had to study. How could I, with all
the other sport… er, rather, fun there was to be found.” He
appeared to enjoy flustering Miss Kittridge. “Knowing your
scholarly pursuits, Miss Kittridge, you would have enjoyed the
academic life. It is too bad the female mind is not capable of
expanding to a male’s superior limits.” He looked first at her and
then to Nicholas. “Or at least, those of most men. I must admit
there are some gentlemen whose abilities are of a… lesser
quality.”
    Miss Kittridge’s eyes appeared very large in
her face. “Lord Edwin, but I must beg to differ.”
    “I am not surprised, my dear, not surprised
at all.” Edwin looked between the two of them knowingly and winked
at her. “I understand my brother has taken to haunting your cottage
as of late. Have you been showing him your sculpture? Or maybe
other matters occupy his time there. Perhaps I should make an
effort to pay my respects more often as well, my dear.”
    He would fry Edwin’s kidneys for breakfast.
His brother had never crossed the thin line of courtesy before. Oh,
he had toyed with insults toward him in the past, skirting the
issue of Nicholas’s ignorance on occasion, but he had never seen
him behave this badly.
    “Perhaps the sun has gone to your head,
Edwin. Apologize to Miss Kittridge, and take yourself away, before
I do something we will both come to regret later,” Nicholas
said.
    Edwin jumped to his feet. “Miss Kittridge, I
do beg your pardon. I had no idea my words could be construed in a
way to offend. Perhaps it is my brother who misunderstood, as he
sometimes is wont to do,” he said, then continued after taking one
look at Nicholas, “But please do accept my apology.” He finished
with an exaggerated bow.
    The entire party of young people had become
aware of the conversation, and had one by one stopped their
discussions to hear the interesting exchange.
    “Charlotte, what did he say to you?” inquired
James. “I shall not stand for him to insult my sister, even if his
family provides our bread and butter.”
    “No, James, I shall not hear of it. It was
nothing, nothing at all. Do let us talk of something else.” Miss
Kittridge rose. “I must go and speak with Father. He might need
something for His Grace.”
    Rosamunde stood up and offered Miss Kittridge
her hand. “Oh, please, Miss Kittridge, will you do me the honor of
allowing me to go with you? I am so sorry for anything my brother
might have said. I am mortified by his behavior,” Rosamunde said,
with contrition written across her fine features.
    James Kittridge had jumped up to accompany
the ladies, who were joined by Louisa Nichols.
    Miss Kittridge, her face still colorless from
the exchange, looked at Nicholas for a moment, and then the group
was gone.
    Nicholas was obliged by courtesy to remain
behind with Lady Susan. He was forced to endure the calculating
little smile decorating her porcelain face and her cloying perfume
fouling the air—and another half hour of wretched words that could
not be mistaken for any sort of clever conversation.
    After, he would think how best to make
certain that his brother would never consider making insidious
insults to Miss Kittridge ever again, if Edwin treasured the idea
of