Chapter 14

  The second chime of nine o’clock echoed and Albert’s eyes snapped open. He arose rigidly and cracked his neck to relieve the stiffness. He never could sleep on his sides and only slept straight backed with the bedding tucked in to stop him from tossing and turning.

  The duvet slid off him as Albert shifted to the side. Just as his feet touched the floor, Mister Skeeves knocked and entered.

  “Good morrow, Master Raegan. Everything is prepared per your instructions,” the butler customarily performed the daily greeting and promptly exited.

  Albert made for the adjoining bathroom to find the bath prepared and ready. Southernly fashion was for attendants to aid in ablutions, but Albert wouldn’t allow them to disrupt his rhythm first thing in the morning.

  Finding everything satisfactorily ordered, Albert performed his daily rituals.

  It took him precisely fifteen minutes to bathe. Another fifteen for aftercare and an additional ten to dress.

  Immaculate with precision. That was how Albert carried himself.

  Ready and punctual, he made his way to the dining room, observing everything to be orderly and in alignment, as it should be.

  He settled at the table and was immediately vexed. The butter knife was slightly slanted in relation to the salad fork. He nudged it in its proper place with his pinky finger, feeling pleased.

  Mister Skeeves set his meal and Albert observed the dishes for any inconsistencies. Finding it satisfactory, he dined.

  Skeeves silently observed his Mater faffing about and making a performance of eating his food.

  Albert was in between making the perfect proportional cut on his greens that a noise caused his knife to make an misplaced stab.

  The butler fretted at the interruption, but relaxed when the intruder barged into the room unannounced. He quietly made his exit knowing that he shouldn’t be privy to the following argument.

  “Albert!” the man shouted from across, his face split in a mischievous grin, taking great joy in the interruption. He walked up to the table and leaned over.

  “How’s your breakfast, brother mine?” he asked gleefully.

  Albert sighed, set down his cutlery and leaned away from his meal. Just as he did, the man pulled the plate over to his side and started eating from Albert’s discarded plate with his used spoon.

  Albert grimaced, revolted, but kept his tone even. “Why are you here, Reginald?” he asked exasperatedly.

  Mouth full, Reginald spoke while chewing, “Is that anyway to treat your kin?”

  Albert massaged his forehead. His brother always made it a game to strain his nerves. “Out with it,” he demanded. Only to quickly add, “And if talk with your mouth full, we are going to have issue!” he warned.

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  Reginald smirked, but knew when to push and when to let his little brother simmer. He swallowed with a gulp and thumped his chest to belch.

  “Fine, fine,” Reginald conceded magnanimously.

  On the flip of a coin, the joviality vanished from Reginald, to be replaced by grim severity. “Have you heard?”

  Albert dabbed his lips with a napkin, before answering succinctly with, “I have.”

  “What do you think?” Reginald asked with desperation.

  Albert observed the state of his brother.

  They looked so alike yet carried themselves so differently. Where Albert was compulsively meticulous, Reginald was one to disrupt and antagonize. When Albert was prone to being pedantic, Reginald had a penchant for chaos.

  The brothers Farley, sons of Duchess Sabina and Duke Farley.

  “I think,” Albert spoke slowly, “that we should continue to bide our time.”

  “But with him gone it would be the chance we were waiting for!” Reginald argued.

  Albert replied with the same languid patience, “But he is not gone, is he. He is still very much in Faymoren and very much under mother’s eye.”

  “And you suggest we do what exactly?” Reginald hissed.

  “Nothing,” Albert stated. “We do nothing. Any limelight to ourselves would only aggravate mother further. We keep our heads down and let matters cool. Out of sight, out of mind. Once Hektor is gone, then we shall act.”

  “We have waited long enough!” Reginald shouted.

  Albert’s placidity evaporated. “Ungrateful wretch! Sniveling child of a man!” Albert cussed. “This is your mess. And as ever, I am trying to clean up after you.

  “I have joined you in exile, brother. Betrayed mother and abandoned my birthright. So help me if you overstep, I will forsake you to your fate.”

  Reginald snarled and readied his aether for a spell, but sense prevailed and he collapsed in his chair with a huff.

  “Forgive me, little brother,” he moaned. “I miss home. I miss father. I miss her,” he confessed.

  “I do as well,” Albert agreed, his anger still not cooled. “But I mean it, Reginald. I am shackled to you by choice. Test me and I would sever our ties.”

  Reginald took the overplayed threat with a pinch of salt.

  Albert has been his brother’s keeper. Always had been. He was the well-mannered and obedient son, whereas Reginald had always been the headstrong troublemaker.

  “What do you make of the countship and the alliance with Croft?” Reginald asked.

  Albert noted Reginald’s habitual reluctance to speaking Hektor’s name.

  “The Crofts are off limits,” Albert cautioned.

  “I get it!” Reginald snapped. “I will stay away, for now,” he added ambiguously for he couldn’t help but poke his brother. “Now share your thoughts.”

  “I can see how it makes sense,” Albert postulated. “Though I am unsure as to why mother allowed it.”

  “What are you unsure about?” Reginald scoffed.

  Albert realized that his brother may not have all the information. And Albert was in no mood to avail him of the facts.

  “Mother has never bartered with family,” Albert offered up as an excuse and took vindictive joy when Reginald winced.

  Chastened, Reginald looked round his brother’s private residence and took in the luxury, comfort and affluence. Yet for all the prosperity, he found it hollow to what he had lost. The air was silent. The halls and corridors dull and empty. There was no purpose, no industry to the place.

  “Don’t you miss the noise?” Reginald asked in a daze. “The commotion and importance? The respect and purpose to our name?”

  Albert understood his brother and took a gander before replying, “I do.”

  “I am sorry,” Reginald admitted softly.

  “You certainly threw it all away,” Albert commented. “I hope it was worth it.”

  Reginald smiled brokenly. “A mistake I will never let down.”

  “You will get no sympathy from me,” Albert stated. “But you are my brother and I will see you through this. Regardless that you do not deserve it.”