Andrew led him to the opposite side of the spacious drawing room where a sideboard awaited, populated with a plethora of liquors and crystal. He took up a glass. “Would you care for a drink?”
“That would be most welcome.” At least it would steady his nerves.
“Indeed.” His cousin poured a measure of brandy into the glass, then passed it on to William. “What ails you? I am making a concentrated effort to bring both factions of the family together. I do not appreciate your animosity.”
“And I don’t welcome your highhandedness regarding my family’s affairs.” Will took a gulp of the brandy and gasped as it burned his throat. “I’m only here for the sake of my sisters.”
“I appreciate that, though it’s not surprising. It took me a long time to arrive at a place of peace so I could attempt reconciliation.” He poured out brandy for himself and carefully replaced the crystal decanter. “You’ll need to square with that yourself.”
How dare this man presume to dictate to him! When William’s jaw clenched again, he reminded himself to relax. “Where is Caroline? I assumed she would have already arrived since you’d taken over her care. Without my consent, I might add.”
“I won’t apologize for that.” Andrew sipped at his drink. “She decided to come on her own. She’s fiercely independent and from all accounts is quite put out with the lot of us.” His expression softened. “We abandoned her.”
Anger tightened William’s chest. “You know nothing about it.”
“No, I don’t, but I want to.” When he met William’s gaze, compassion pooled within the depths. “When I discovered her… differences and her circumstances, I was appalled she’d been locked away.”
“For her own good, or so my father thought,” William hissed. He set down his empty glass before the urge to throw it at Andrew’s head could take root.
“You don’t know her well enough to make that assessment!” Vehemence and the arrogance of the earl resonated in Drew’s voice. “She will reside with Sarah and I.”
“Absolutely not. She’s my sister and I’ll look after her.”
“Fat lot of responsibility you’ve already shown in that quarter.” Drew glared. “What makes you think you have the authority?”
“I work for Bow Street. No one is more trustworthy.”
“Except, you only wish to be Caroline’s caregiver because I’ve taken the reins.”
“Damn you, Hadleigh!”
“William, mind your manners,” his mother warned from across the room.
Sarah added her own admonishment. “Andrew, be nice. They are our guests.”
Immediately, his cousin sobered.
William’s lower jaw dropped in shock. Had the countess managed to bring his cousin to heel?
“Look, we’re growing older. I don’t want more time to pass without coming to know you and the girls again.” Drew watched him from over the rim of his glass. “Family needs to stick together, regardless of what happened in the past, so I’m extending an olive branch of sorts for the Christmastide season. Should things not work out, we’ll part with no harm done.”
Damn his eyes for making sense. There really was no reason for the hostility, especially when everything he knew about his cousin was apparently wrong. Curiosity to learn more took hold. “Sounds reasonable.” William shook hands with him. “Do you, ah, know what caused the break between our fathers? I was never privy to that information.”
“Neither was I, and it’s been long forgotten over the years. Though I suspect it might have been Caroline’s incarceration in the asylum.” He shrugged. “Who can say? There have been other matters to hold my attention.”
For the first time he noticed the fine lines framing his cousin’s mouth and eyes, and the lines of worry on his brow. The title had already taken a toll. “What of your brothers?”
Drew snorted. “They’ve been a source of great anxiety for me, but they’re married now. It’s my fondest hope domestication mellows them.” Then his eyes brightened. “Speak of the devil. There’s Finn now.”
William turned just as a man in a Bath chair rolled into the room. A beautiful, petite red-haired woman walked next to him. Two men with equally red hair and a pretty, retiring young lady brought up the rear of the parade.
“Bloody hell. They brought guests,” Drew breathed, then excused himself to greet the newcomers.
What an interesting turn of events. William followed at a slower pace with a grin curving his lips.