Compromising Miss Tisdale by Jessica Jefferson

expression. “It smells like a pub in here.”
    “An upstanding pub with the finest clientele I hope,” Duncan stood up, timidly.
    Richard obviously did not find the remark as humorous as he did.
    His uncle walked toward the mantle and removed the lone stocking. He held it up as far away from his body as possible, by just his forefinger and thumb, disapproval clearly written all over his face. “Were you entertaining ? Is that why you didn’t bother to keep our appointment? I had the solicitor there to help you review the ledgers. Estates need managed, Duncan. Accounts need managed—people are dependent on you now. Entire families survive on what comes out of these ventures. Dammit, Duncan! Your choices no longer affect only yourself anymore.”
    Duncan reached out and removed the stocking, balled it up and threw it behind him. “Last night I might have had a few guests over and it appears that I must have lost track of the time. I do apologize, it won’t happen again.”
    It would and they both knew it.
    Richard looked past Duncan at the chair James occupied. “Your Grace.”
    James stood, though he leaned a bit lopsidedly. “Mr. Maddox! It is so good to see you again. However, I cannot stay too long. I myself, also have an appointment.”
    Duncan snorted. “With whom?”
    James gathered his things from about the room. “Regarding my investments. I do believe my man of affairs has some documents regarding a series of mining opportunities in the west for me to review. Pleasure seeing you again, Mr. Maddox.” He bowed out of the room, closing the doors and leaving the two men alone.
    Richard rubbed his temples and avoided looking Duncan in the eyes. “I thought we discussed your behavior? You were supposed to be setting a fine example, yet I hear nothing but stories of your exploits. They’re all across the broadsheets. The gambling, the women, the brawls? Isn’t this the very reason your father sent you away in the first place?”
    “Ironic isn’t it? Father sending me away for the very behavior that he himself was renowned for?”
    Richard exhaled deeply. “It’s not ironic, it’s hypocritical.”
    “Mere semantics.”
    “Your father sent you away because he hadn’t the time to cover up both your mistakes and his own. And it is quite time that you move on and cease with all the childish resentment. You carry on as if your father had kicked your puppy. Besides, it’s not as if his actions managed to curb your behavior any. You were the same boy, doing the same things, just at a greater distance from London so not to bother your father or influence your brother. I had thought after a while you would grow out of it—this need to do the opposite of whatever is expected of you. That somehow, you would come to your senses and stop acting out for the sake of inciting a reaction and act more like a man. Like an Earl . But I see I was wrong. You’re the exact same petulant boy, perhaps just a bit taller and with broader shoulders.”
    Richard touched a hand to his chest and concentrated on steadying his breath. He found a chair, moving aside a discarded piece of clothing to take his seat. “You were always my favorite, Duncan. I saw a certain light in you that your brother Jason did not have. But you held such disdain for the rules, for propriety. I had thought the time away would have softened your distaste, but it seems only to have amplified it. And you’ve buried that light so deep, I do believe it has fully extinguished itself.”
    Then he looked up at Duncan, tears glistening in his old, sad eyes. “I see it’s of no use. You don’t want this life. So, you have my regretful blessing to return to your home up north and resume your wicked ways. You’re the Earl now, you could even return to Bristol Crossing and take up household there if you wish. I doubt that you’d want to though, with it being a proper estate and all.”
    Duncan closed his eyes. His uncle was thinner yet, and his voice was