Chapter One
S
tephen Alexander Ivy, Viscount Tilbury, which was his father’s second subsidiary title, frowned and jammed his hands into the pockets of his greatcoat. Even though he wore gloves, the December chill pervaded. So why the devil was he outside at one of the many frozen-over ponds on the grounds of Ivy Castle, watching his twin, Griffin, and his fiancée, Nora, attempt to ice skate? It had been a singularly bad idea, for knowing that his brother—and the heir to their father’s dukedom by one minute—had everything Stephen had ever wanted chafed against his nerves.
“If you scowl any harder, I fear your face will freeze like that, especially in these temperatures.” Teasing hung on his sister Lettice’s voice as she approached. His niece, Lucy, broke away from her mother’s hand and tore off around the pond with all the enthusiasm a five-year-old possessed.
“Good afternoon, Letty.” He smiled, for he was quite fond of his only sister, and it was good she’d come home to join the family. “I assumed since you’d made yourself scarce this morning that you’d avoid today’s activities.”
For that matter, why the deuce had his mother decided to plan something for every blessed day of the house party through Twelfth Night? Were they not all grown enough to keep themselves occupied?
“Lucy has been a bit overstimulated this week, so we sat quietly this morning to regroup.” Worry lingered on Letty’s face as she watched her daughter. The skate blades she carried glinted in the sunlight with her every step. “And I did promise to teach her how to ice skate even though I detest the sport personally.”
“I completely understand the aversion.” Surely there was nothing fun about performing endless circles on the frozen water, going nowhere while convincing one’s ankles they didn’t need to buckle. He snickered as Lucy, in a bright red cloak, ran about the edges of the pond. She called to Griffin and giggled when he’d pretended to almost fall in order to converse with her. Out of all of them, his brother was the most skilled on the ice. “However, Lucy will no doubt conquer the exertion quite handily.”
“The girl is a quick study. She takes after her father in that regard, and I have the feeling Griffin will make certain of it. He always did have an unnatural fondness for winter activities.”
“Only because it keeps him away from social obligations insides.” Odd, that. “Why he’s more comfortable around people while outside is beyond me.”
“I suspect that’s in large part to the support of Nora,” Letty said in a soft voice as her gaze landed on the pair currently gliding over the ice. “He’s blossomed this week ever since he began spending time with her.”
“Yes, and he’s become Papa’s new favorite.” Stephen couldn’t quite keep the bitterness from his voice, for that had never happened before. Always, he’d been the chosen son, the one his father praised in front of Griffin. Now suddenly the roles were reversed, and he didn’t much like how that felt.
“You silly boy.” Letty linked their arms together, and Stephen let her, for her closeness brought added warmth. “Don’t be jealous. This is a great development for Griffin. I never thought such a thing would happen. I assumed he’d be a forever unmatched duke.”
Wasit jealousy though? The tightness in his chest would have him believe that, but perhaps there was a smidgeon of regret in that confusing wad of emotion lodged behind his ribcage. Had his life been different, he could have been married, perhaps with a family by now. “He’s engaged to Papa’s nurse, Letty! How is that not scandalous?”
For the past few years, Nora had been employed as their father’s nurse. She administered a tincture to him three times a day, for the duke claimed he had a bad heart, which was one of the reasons he’d summoned the family to Ivy Castle for the Christmastide season. As of yet, Stephen had seen no evidence of ill health, but that was the prevailing story his parents clung to.
“I’ll admit I was shocked when they announced their engagement,” Letty said in the same soft voice even though there was no danger of their conversation being overheard. Griffin and Nora had come to the edge of the ice, and he helped Lucy to tie the blades to her boots. “However, she has a decent pedigree and is loosely connected to the ton, so it’s not that scandalous.”
Stephen snorted. “I wonder, but no doubt Papa and Mama will smooth the way once we’re all back in London.” His heart squeezed when Lucy fell two times in succession, but Griffin easily scooped her up and set her on his shoulder. Her giggles as they glided over the ice echoed back to his location. “Regardless, Griff is tip over tail for the woman, so I have nothing more to say on the matter.” Truly, he was glad his brother was so enamored, yet it felt as if he were losing an integral part of himself now that he had to share his twin’s time with Nora.
“Love is such a nice prospect when it’s right, and Nora is a wonderful woman.” A sigh issued from his sister that sounded as if it had come from her toes. “I’ll admit, I thought about refusing Papa’s summons when it arrived.”
“Oh? Whyever for? He’s always doted on you and Lucy.”
“I don’t care for the holiday season, ever since Charles died. He was such a lover of Christmastide, but I can’t find it in my heart to be cheerful.” His sister turned her head and caught Stephen’s eye. Sorrow lurked in the depths. “I try, for Lucy’s sake, but it’s difficult. I still miss him after all these years.”
“That’s understandable.” He patted her mitten-covered hand. “I didn’t know your husband as well as I would have liked, but he’s certainly left a hole in our lives.”
“Yes, he has.” Letty frowned. “Lucy resembles him, don’t you think?”
“Very much so, though she has your eyes, and your stubborn streak.” He grunted when his sister gave him a playful smack to the shoulder. “I promise I’ll come ‘round more often when in London and call on you and Lucy.”
“Oh? That’s a surprise.” One of her dark brown eyebrows raised in question. “You’ve never made an effort before. Why the change now?”
The heat of embarrassment circled through his chest. “Let’s just say I have motivation to be away from home.”
“Ah, I see. You are jealous of Griffin.”
Why was he so easy for her to read? Could the rest of the family see how he felt merely by looking? “Perhaps.”
“Then stop playing the rogue and do something about it. If you wish for companionship in your life on a permanent basis, find a lady to court.” A hint of exasperation rang in her voice and put him in mind of the school headmistress she was. “Right now, Griffin is coming into his own and finally garnering Papa’s attention. It’s good for him to hear that praise and feel the familial warmth, for all too soon, Papa will find another favorite. You know how it is with him. He’s forever played us each other.”
“This is true... or he’ll expire. I’m truly not ready for that eventuality.” Now he knew how Griffin felt, and once his brother took the ducal title, Stephen was prepared to drop everything and help him transition, for he did love his twin.
“Yes, I worry about that too.” Letty waved to Lucy when the child did.