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better than anybody.”
    Hugh’s jaw tightened. “I can only speculate that it has something to do with his…debts of honor. His extensive debts of honor.”
    Adam clicked his tongue in disgust. “What? Has he gone off the rails? Of what help could I possibly be in settling his debts?”
    “See here, Adam, I told you I don’t know! But if it comes down to losing what remains of the family fortune—and it’s not much—you’d better go and find out.”
    “So that’s what this is about? Since I’m to inherit nothing, I don’t give a tinker’s damn about the ‘family fortune.’ The family name is all I ever cared about, but you and my father have seen to it that whatever respect it once garnered no longer exists.”
    Hugh got to his feet and raised his voice a notch. “Think what you like, but you owe it to him to find out what he wants. He is your father, after all.” He bit out the words.
    Much to my everlasting regret. “I owe him nothing,” Adam said, “nor you.” He stepped closer to his brother and with satisfaction noted they were now of equal height. “The two of you make me sick. You can tell Father I won’t be coming.”
    Hugh lowered his voice and seemed to be making an effort to rein in his temper. “Be reasonable, Adam. I know you have your differences, but he’s getting on in years. What harm can it do you to pay him a visit and find out what he wants?”
    Adam should insist the old man visit him in London. But, no, that would never do. The last thing he needed was his father here, carrying on with his usual antics, as Adam was about to launch a political career. And his mother would be furious. No, it was out of the question.
    Adam quickly reviewed his calendar for the week. There was to be a dinner party at his mother’s townhome a few days hence, where he intended to announce that he wished to stand for Commons. He’d arranged a private meeting with Jack Linford at White’s tomorrow, to ask his friend to support him in his bid for one of the seats in the borough of Haslemere, in Surrey, where both families maintained country homes. Adam’s father, in fact, lived there year round. It would do no harm for him to ride down and test the waters, see what his parent knew about the political climate, if anything. By all accounts, one of the current MPs was a drunk who rarely attended the sessions. He was sponsored by the other titled lord of the borough, Sir William Broxton, a baronet. Could be trouble there if Adam couldn’t persuade him he needed a new man. Jack would know more, and so might his father.
    “Haven’t got all night, brother. What’s your answer to be?”
    Reluctantly, Adam said, “I’ll do it, but I have things to attend to here before I can leave.”
    “I’ll get word to Father.”
    “No,” Adam insisted. “I prefer you leave that to me, since I don’t yet know when I can get away.”
    “As you wish.”
    “How long do you plan to remain in town?”
    “A few weeks at a time, with trips home in between. No idea how long it will take to find a bit of muslin…er, bride.”
    “So I shall see you at Longmere?” Adam asked.
    “Possibly.”
    Adam carried the candle back to the sideboard and snuffed it. He opened the door to the corridor and, after ensuring it was empty, said, “Until then.”
    Hugh strolled toward him. “Oh, you shall see me long before that. Deborah told me of your political aspirations. She invited me to the dinner she’s giving in your honor. I wouldn’t dream of missing it.”
    Adam cringed. If he weren’t so fond of his mother…well, what he might do to her didn’t bear thinking about.

Chapter Five
    Adam’s mother, Deborah Grey, waltzed into the breakfast room wearing a royal blue morning dress of merino wool. Although she had recently celebrated her fiftieth year, she was still beautiful. Adam threw down the copy of the Times he’d been perusing and rose.
    “Good morning, dear,” she said, kissing her son’s