Chapter 10

CHAPTER 10

Henry yanked the collar upward on his coat and bent into the frigid wind wiping around the corner toward him. He left his wife for this.

Alone in her bed, tucked safely away at Haddington, miles away from London. She would return to London in a week's time to pack up her brother, sisters, and Ethan before journeying to Wales.

No matter, she was too far away from Henry. Now, and once settled in Wales, still too far away until he could oversee the necessary repairs to Cliffstone.

He dragged in a sharp inhale, steeling himself as he opened the door to the gaol where Rafe was being held. He equally wanted to pummel his younger brother and shake him awake. Rafe was wasting his potential. A young lieutenant in the Navy who had bravely fought the French for years, now languishing on land as he awaited his next ship assignment.

In spite of his brother's recent behavior, Rafe was an exceptional sailor and his superiors had noticed. So had Henry. Their father would have wanted Rafe to succeed, and Henry was failing at helping him. He had spoken to those who could promote Rafe in recent months to become captain. And the outcome had been favorable.

But his brother…

Rafe was a complete arse because he was determined to throw his years of hard work away on drinking, women, and gambling.

Henry squared his shoulders as he waited to be led back to Rafe's cell. Their father would have known what to do. He always did.

The stench of piss burned his nostrils as he was led back down a long, dark corridor of cells full of men either hunched in corners sleeping or fighting.

"You have five minutes," the constable warned before stopping short. Rafe was asleep on the straw covered floor, his jacket stuffed under his head.

Navy men could sleep anywhere, it was a habit Henry was usually jealous of. But not today.

He reached his boot in through the bars and kicked his brother's foot. "Rafe, wake up."

His brother didn't stir.

Very well. Henry tugged on his coat and cleared his throat. "Rafe Davies!"

Rafe rolled over, squinting his blue eyes as he examined Henry in the hallway. "Why are you here?"

"The better question, Brother, is why are you here?"

Rafe groaned, sitting up and brushing off his clothes. He raked a hand through his curly black hair and looked about the cell, as if Henry had interrupted something more important. "I was awake, just napping."

"You're drunk." Henry crossed his arms in front of him, leaning against the wall.

"Probably for a while now, given where I am."

"What have you been doing?"

Rafe ran a hand through his hair, sighing heavily. "Nothing I haven't done before… gambling, drinking… women."

Henry nodded slowly, shaking his head in disapproval. "You know this behavior is not what father would have wanted for you. You have been given an incredible opportunity here to succeed, but you seem determined to throw it all away on foolishness. Do you realize what kind of consequences this will have on your career? You are facing prison time and possibly a dishonorable discharge from the Navy."

Rafe hung his head, shrugging.

"Admiral Ackerman is speaking to a few people, and I believe I will be able to have you released tonight. But if you think I will leave you here in London to do this all again…"

Henry stopped himself. He pinched his brow and sighed. He didn't wish to be here, didn't wish to have to clean up after his brother's poor choices. He wished to be with his new bride.

"Come with me to Cliffstone Manor. I'll be leaving after the new year, and I have a lot to manage. I will take care of the ledgers, and you can help with tenants and the property."

"No."

Henry drew back, offended. "Why not?"

"You couldn't pay me enough to drag me away to fix wells or birth goats or whatever the hell they do in the country. I belong on a ship." He blinked, looking for a moment as if he would be sick. "I think I do. I did at one point."

"I will settle your debts. Consider that payment enough. I will return tonight, and you can stay with me until we leave next week."

Rafe patted at his jacket, frowning. "I need a cigar."

His brother only needed to sober up, and in time, he would see how close he was to throwing an excellent opportunity away.

"What day is it?"

"It's Boxing Day."

Rafe finally stood, wavering on his feet. "Not what I had in mind for the holidays. Where have you been?"

It was shocking really, the way everything within Henry suddenly ached to tell his brother all. He wished to share his joy with someone. He wished to announce he had a heart after all, and despite giving up the law to focus on his new title, he was happy.

Instead, he swallowed his pride down and cleared his throat. "A house party."

"That's very social of you."

"I am full of surprises, Rafe, if only you wished to know me."

His younger brother nodded, returning to his search for a cigar. "Those blackguards stole my cigars and wallet. That's very disappointing."

"Can I count on you, Rafe? Will you come with me, even for a few months, and help sort out the estate?"

"That depends. Will you have scones?"

"I will see what I can do."

Rafe stuck his hand out through the bars. "Then set me free, and I promise to be a good boy."

"Are you certain?"

His brother leveled him with a disgusted stare, then laughed. "A rake never lies."

Black and white. That was how Henry had lived his life up until now. Not in the messy in between. But suddenly, he found himself there. He didn't know the right thing to do all the time, and there was a certain level of fear that came with that. But he was willing to push on because his family counted on him.

And Tilly loved him.

"Then I'll take my chances, Rafe."