Richard scoffed. “You know she only means to use you to make him jealous. No woman would not want to marry Linfield. The man is dashedly handsome and has more wealth than even our brother. The marquess is most sought after. This painting is meant to be a punishment. A reminder of what he could have had but lost. A reminder that another man saw what is meant to be his and only his, and it will bring the marquess to heel. My God man, women can be wonderfully diabolical. It will kill the marquess to know that you saw her so, and also make him grateful she has given him another chance.”
Nicholas grimaced. He had arrived at the same conclusion only an hour ago, but to hear it from his brother’s lips filled Nicholas with a growing dissatisfaction. He urged the horse into a run, riding for several long minutes, the wind slapping against his face and tugging at his top hat before he reined it in.
Richard caught up to him. “Feel better,” he demanded caustically.
“No,” Nicholas growled. “I will allow her to use me.”
His brother grinned. “You have it that bad, hmm?”
“I am not ashamed to admit it,” he said with a light chuckle. “Doyouthink of marriage, Richard?”
Horror settled on his brother’s face. “Good God, no! There are too many delightful cunnies available for me to settle with one woman. Can you imagine anything more tedious?”
“Colin seems happy,” Nicholas said, an odd envy arrowing through his chest. “And he was a damn rake in Penporth.”
His brother seemed to think about that for a minute before asking, “Areyouthinking about marrying?”
That restlessness filled his chest once more. “Perhaps.”
Richard stared at him in astonishment. “Lady Cressida?”
“She is far above me. How could she accept an offer from me? I am merely the brother of an earl. I earn my income from gambling and my paintings.”
Richard scoffed. “So, what if you are not in line to inherit a title? You make good money, and you invest wisely. You are about to purchase your own country manor with monies you’ve earned through hard work. How many lords can ever say they did something like this? All they do is inherit their wealth and are lazy toffs!”
Nicholas chuckled without humor. “I doubt the lady, or her parents would think like you do. No, I will not set my sights to impossible things. I will only enjoy whatever liberties the lady allows while I can.”
His brother had nothing to say to that, and they finished their ride a few minutes later and went their separate ways. Richard carnally suggesting he was off to see his newest lover, and Nicholas returned to Mayfair to visit his siblings.
The butler opened the door, and the sight that greeted him was one of charming chaos. His sweet niece chased a large puppy in the hallway, chortling her delight. Her mama in turn chased her, demanding her to stop running.
Lily spotted him and her dark green eyes widened with pleasure.
“Unc!” She screamed and hurtled toward him.
Nicholas swooped her into his arms and kissed her chubby cheeks. “How is my favorite sweetheart today?”
She babbled in her excitement, and he barely understood her. He got enough to know it was about the puppy. “You have a dog.”
She giggled, and Fanny reached them with an exasperated laugh. “I am fit to throttle my husband. When he said he wanted to get Lily a puppy, I pictured something small and sweet and docile. I swear the puppy is as wild as her.”
Nicholas bent and kissed his sister’s cheek. “How are you, Fanny?”
Her eyes warmed with pleasure, and it gladdened his heart to see it. Only a few months ago, they had shone with a pain and despair he had never thought would leave her. Then the man she had thought dead in the war had returned, and Fanny had fought for his heart and damn well won. It was only a pity their sweet daughter would still be considered a bastard in society’s eyes because she was born before they got married. Though the viscount had adopted her, for some that had not legitimized her. However, they did not give a damn what society thought and that was what mattered.
“Is Simon here?”
Fanny beamed. “He is in the study discussing some business investment with Colin.”
“How is his memory?”
Her smile widened. “Oh, Nicholas. He has remembered everything about us and our past. I…” Tears misted her eyes. “I amveryhappy.”
“I am pleased,” he said gruffly. “Thank God you talked us into kidnapping him.”
She thumped his arm lightly and laughed. They walked down the hallway, he with his niece snuggled in his arms and Fanny with the pup in hers. Nicholas’s steps briefly faltered, and, with a flash of insight, he realized this was what he wanted. Family. Or he should say more family. A wife of his own, children, and pets. Hell, he wanted it more than he wanted to be a famous and world-renowned painter.
A pair of enchanting hazel eyes swam in his vision, and he blew out a sharp breath. Pushing her from his thoughts, he resolved to concentrate only on what he could have from a woman like Lady Cressida. A few kisses and an erotic painting. Nothing more and nothing else.