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Chapter 2

Gerard was behaving oddly these days. Usually, it indicated that he was running out of money, prompting Adrian to keep a closer eye on the books. His stepbrother had many vices, all requiring money and lots of it. Gerard usually demanded money from his mother whenever he ran out, but there was only so much Violet could give.

All of Adrian's family members received a generous monthly allowance, but they still found reason to complain because they wanted an unlimited source. Between his half-siblings, stepbrother, and stepmother, the family would lose their wealth within ten years.

Sighing, he rubbed his eyes, feeling tired. He hadn't slept well lately, but that wasn't a surprise. Being the Duke of York was challenging, but that wasn't the reason this time. Adrian had been experiencing night terrors on and off since he was twelve. It was the year his mother died, and he turned mute overnight.

Fortunately, he could never recall his dreams when he awoke, so they couldn't continue to plague him during the day. Sometimes, he wished he did so he could possibly find answers concerning his mother's untimely death, but perhaps it was better to forget the details the moment he awoke. However, the emotions from his dreams tended to linger throughout the day, affecting his mood.

Closing the account book before him, Adrian pushed away from his leather-padded desk and poured himself a drink. His drinks cabinet boasted only the best from across the continent and America, not because he was a great drinker but because he simply enjoyed collecting things. Paintings, musical instruments, pocket watches, jewellery, handkerchiefs—the more unique, the better.

He also had one of the best collections of purebreds in his stables, with many people wishing to breed his females or hire his stallions to breed with their females. Adrian consistently refused both requests—his horses were his alone, his pride and joy. He dedicated much of his time to the noble creatures, enjoying that he didn't need to speak to communicate with them. Touch was so much more effective than words would ever be.

"Adrian," said Charles, his half-brother, as he walked into the room without knocking. "I need to talk to you about something important."

Adrian lifted an eyebrow in question. Charles knew better than to barge into his study without some warning. Not moving from where he stood with his drink, he sipped the smooth amber liquid, inwardly praising the cognac. It had been one of his best buys from an American merchant.

The man had even tried to sell off his sister to bring English aristocracy into his commoner family, but Adrian hadn't been keen. The woman had been lovely, but he wasn't interested.

Charles fell into a chair, propping a leg on the armrest as though he owned the room. Adrian continued to watch him, calmly sipping his beverage. He may be unable to talk, but his silences were just as effective when utilized properly.

"Very well, I apologize for walking in without asking," said Charles, rolling his eyes with a sigh.

Adrian nodded, took his seat, and pulled out a journal and pencil. Using a pen wasn't practical because he needed something that didn't require carrying an inkpot around.

What do you wish to talk about? he wrote.

"As you know, I turned sixteen last week," Charles began, pushing his dark brown hair away from his forehead.

They looked similar, but Charles had gray eyes like his mother and half-brother, Gerard. Only Annabelle, Adrian's twelve-year-old half-sister, had light blue eyes like him.

Yes, what of it? he wrote.

Adrian already had a good grasp of what his brother wanted. It always came to the same thing: money. His family's life revolved around money.

"I expected you to increase my monthly amount," said Charles, removing his leg from the armrest and sitting forward. "I'm still getting the same amount. Why? Surely being older dictates I need more money?"

Adrian smiled slightly, inwardly shaking his head. Charles received a generous amount, but he burned through it quickly. It didn't matter how much money he received; Charles found ways to spend it. The more Adrian gave, the more they wanted. It was a never-ending cycle.

Adrian bent his head, briefly writing his response. You'll expect even more next year if I give you more now. I give you enough to cover your lifestyle. It is your problem if you choose to spend it frivolously .

Charles frowned as he read the response. "But that isn't fair!"

Adrian anticipated his brother's reply and was already writing his response. Your every need is paid for, Charles. The money you receive is for all your wants, which you keep unnecessarily adding to. You should be wiser with your money .

His brother narrowed his eyes, lifting his head to reveal his indignant expression. "I have a reputation to maintain," Charles cried. "Why can you not understand that? Just because you're mute and never wish to be sociable does not mean you should punish the rest of us."

Adrian dropped his pencil and sat back in his seat. Charles was correct—he was mute and preferred to be alone for good reason. The more people around him, the more difficult it was to communicate. It was hard enough for his family and servants to understand basic hand gestures, so he couldn't expect it from outsiders.

It would also be overwhelming to respond to everyone by writing his responses. It was easier to stay away from such situations. However, no matter how right Charles was, the venom dripping from his tongue turned that truth into an insult.

Kindly take yourself out of my study , he wrote. I will not have you disrespect me in my house. You forget yourself .

Charles's cheeks turned bright pink. "Why must you always be so unreasonable?" he demanded.

Adrian narrowed his eyes, slowly writing his reply. One more word and I'll reduce your money. Leave .

His brother's pinkness travelled to his ears and neck as his mouth gaped like a fish on land. Adrian raised an eyebrow, daring his half-brother to say another word. After a moment, Charles stood up, turned on his heel, and marched out of the room, not bothering to close the door behind him.

Sighing, Adrian resumed drinking. He didn't usually have strong drinks so early in the day, but he found they helped calm his mind. He wasn't dependent on alcohol and never drank to excess, but he had to admit it had its uses.

"Adrian!" his sister called, appearing in the doorway. She tilted her head to the side and smiled sweetly. "May I come in?"

Adrian frowned slightly. Annabelle was never this sweet without a reason. She usually ignored him because she found his muteness uncomfortable and embarrassing, especially when she had her friends at the house. It was hurtful that his own sister, a little girl he had known since her birth and doted on, would grow up to prefer to be away from him.

Family was supposed to accept each other. He didn't expect much from his stepmother and stepbrother, but Charles and Annabelle were his siblings by blood. He had helped raise them, only for them to turn on him once they could no longer accept his muteness.

"Adrian?" Annabelle pressed, her impatience starting to show through her smile.

Adrian gestured for her to come in, picking up his pencil and bringing his journal closer to him.

You look lovely today , he wrote. Is that a new dress?

His siblings may not love him unconditionally, but he would never stop his affection for them. Perhaps he was a glutton for punishment.

"It is," she said, doing a little twirl. "I asked Mama for a pink dress with embroidered flowers. The modiste took a while because the flowers are so intricate, but I'm glad it turned out so well. Mama says pink is my colour, so she's thinking about having a white and pink dress for my first Season.

However, she said my first dress for my introduction to the queen should be white, but I disagree with Mama. I wish to stand out, not blend in with the other girls."

Adrian widened his eyes. His sister was only twelve. They shouldn't be talking about her first Season, not when she had at least another four or five years before that moment in her life. Annabelle needed to live her life as a child for as long as possible because being an adult wasn't as wonderful as many people bragged. Adrian blamed his stepmother, Violet, for trying to make his sister grow up too quickly.

Violet was hell-bound on making powerful connections through her children, controlling who they were friends with, and ensuring they were as social as their ages allowed. Charles had a little more freedom, but Annabelle would only have freer rein in society after her introduction. Until then, it was all tea parties, picnics, and visiting friends.

Let's not get ahead of ourselves, Anna , he wrote. You have a few more years before then .

"Yes, but I have to plan in advance!" his sister exclaimed. "People can be rather brutal and competitive. Tessa has been planning her first Season since she was ten!"

Adrian baulked at the thought. That is disturbing , he wrote. When are you allowed to be little girls if all you're thinking about is being a young woman? There is a time for everything .

Annabelle rolled her eyes. "Oh, Adrian, you'll never understand," she said. "You keep yourself locked in your study or outside with those filthy horses. Worse yet, you personally sully your hands with the poor, all in the name of charity. What do you know about keeping up with appearances?"

This was not his sister talking. It sounded a lot like his stepmother and stepbrother. A twelve-year-old didn't have the capacity to think of these things unless they had heard it from somewhere.

I know more than you ever will, but I choose to stay away , he wrote. You'll realize eventually that society is your worst enemy .

"Oh, you're too dramatic," Annabelle replied. "Gerard always says that about you. It's probably why you cannot find someone to marry."

Adrian raised his eyebrows. This disrespect was escalating. He needed to speak with his stepbrother and stepmother about it. If they insisted on putting bad ideas in Annabelle's head, he would remove them from the house. Although his half-siblings' mother was still alive, he had been placed as their guardian and had greater legal sway over their lives.

They would stay with him while Violet and Gerard moved to another estate. People might criticize him for it, but he was willing to do it if it meant saving his siblings from the world his stepmother and Gerard loved so much.

What have I said about saying inappropriate things? he wrote. If you cannot watch what you say, I suggest you leave my study. I will not accept your disrespect .

Annabelle paled slightly, lowering her head. "I'm sorry, Adrian," she said, sounding more like herself.

He tapped his desk, prompting her to look up. Instead of writing, he nodded and smiled, showing she was forgiven. Annabelle immediately perked up, her pale blue eyes bright. She had never been one to remain sad or angry for long, but she was slowly changing.

Adrian was worried that one day he'd wake up and his cheerful and sweet sister would be no more. Annabelle was undoubtedly spoiled because of his stepmother and late father, but she had managed to keep her sunny disposition until now. It was slowly fading, though, and would eventually be replaced by what his stepmother considered suitable.

"Mama said I could host a picnic party for my friends this week," Annabelle began. "I thought the perfect thing would be to give them presents."

Adrian nodded, already seeing where this was going. His sister never told him her plans unless she needed money to complete them. Unfortunately, he had already given her pin money for the month and would not be increasing it. He was quite confident that no other twelve-year-old received as much pin money as she did.

"It seems I do not have enough money to buy gifts for everyone," she continued. "I have seven friends coming and only enough for three. Do you think you could give me extra?"

Adrian scribbled a quick reply. Just have three friends for your picnic. Intimate parties are better, anyway .

Two frown lines appeared between his sister's eyebrows. "But I have already invited them."

Then don't give them gifts . A picnic is good enough .

"I promised them something special, Adrian," she complained. "I cannot just have a picnic."

It seems you promised them too much, Annabelle. This will be your reminder that you shouldn't promise anything you cannot fulfill .

Annabelle pouted after reading his words. "You could just give me the money," she said. "You have so much of it. Papa would have given me anything I wanted."

This was precisely why she was so terribly spoiled and couldn't take responsibility for her actions.

You have one other option , he wrote. Have your picnic next week when you have more pin money .

Annabelle's lower lip trembled. "Why are you so mean to me?"

Adrian sighed, running his hands through his hair. It was getting a little too long and touching the nape of his neck. He preferred his straight brown hair, short and out of the way. One of his horses once took a liking to his hair when it was shoulder length and took a chunk out of it. Since then, he had kept it short for fear of a repeat.

You need to take more responsibility for the way you spend your money , he wrote. I have told you this before. You lack nothing, so that money is to cover all the extras you wish to purchase. Your wants should never outweigh what you can afford .

Annabelle barely read his words before she stood up and started yelling about how unfair he was, that he was a terrible brother, and that he didn't understand how important it was to be liked by her friends. Adrian wanted to point out that she clearly didn't know the definition of a friend, but he merely sat back and crossed his arms. He wasn't going to give in. To give in once was asking for trouble because she would demand the same at every turn.

Eventually, his red-faced sister stalked out of the room, giving him his much-needed peace. His family was exhausting! He was glad he decided to have breakfast in his study that day instead of in the drawing room with his family, or they might have ganged up on him, demanding he give in to their wants.

Yesterday, Violet had hinted at wishing to plan an extravagant Christmas ball that would exceed their monthly budget for such events. Adrian had a feeling she would bring it up again at breakfast, which would only encourage his stepbrother to try his luck. He heard Gerard had racked up quite a gambling debt last month and had to use his monthly allowance to pay it off in instalments.

Adrian expected Gerard to ask for an advance or a loan to clear the debt, so he was steering clear of him for as long as possible. Gerard had a way of making Adrian feel bad for not helping him in his time of need, often pointing out that the late duke had always helped him. Yes, Adrian's father had always helped Gerard because he was treated like a son, leading him to become the vice-controlled, selfish, and spoiled twenty-eight-year-old he currently was.

Heading the family and doing what was best for all concerned was challenging, especially when Adrian was mute and couldn't communicate in the manner that people expected, leaving him no room to think about love or marriage.

Adrian should get married for the sake of his family line, but he was seriously considering passing the dukedom to Charles once he felt his sibling was mature enough. It wasn't that he had no options. Many women had expressed an interest in him. He had even heard that some of them had a romantic notion of curing him of his muteness. He doubted anyone could help him, let alone rouse any feelings of love within him.

Besides his affection for his half-siblings, Adrian didn't feel he could love. Perhaps it was the fear of losing someone close to his heart, just as he had lost his mother so suddenly. Whatever the reason, he felt he'd be alone for the rest of his life.

He never used to feel like that before. Adrian used to be a cheerful young boy with lots of optimism and dreams about his future. His favourite pastime had been playing with their maid's and stable hand's daughter, Serena.

He used to call her Little Ser because she was so tiny and used to sit on his shoulders everywhere they went. Adrian had loved her curiosity, love of life, and mischievous grin and often spent his free time with her. Serena never knew he was a marquess or that his father was the duke, which was how he had preferred it.

She had only been a baby then, little more than five when he last saw her, so titles had been irrelevant. Sometimes, he thought about her and wondered how she was doing, but Mrs Yelverton was very vague.

Speaking of Mrs Yelverton, he heard the maids talk about her not being well. He had meant to enquire about her health, but he never got around to doing it. He made a note to do so later and continued going through the estate accounts, ensuring that all was as it should be.

Gerard had a dirty habit of trying to skim money from various parts of the estate, such as rent from tenants and income from their many farms. He was under strict observation, but that didn't mean he wouldn't try his luck somehow. Gerard was as cunning as they came.

After a moment, his thoughts turned to the little girl with stars in her eyes and hair so dark that it had almost looked blue. His life could do with Serena's cheerful giggles and friendship, but that was impossible. Not only were they now strangers, they were also too old to ignore their social statuses.

If life had been fair, it would have given him another suitable Serena to combat the loneliness. Instead, he had to live life mute and alone because no one took the time to understand him. They wanted to know the duke, not Adrian. Perhaps he was meant to be alone.

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