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taste.”
    “I doubt he would be interested in your shoulder,” Will said. “He’s enthralled with nostalgia in general and wind contusions in particular.”
    A chill rocketed down Rand’s spine. There was no way Will, or any of his brothers, could know about his malady, a condition battlefield surgeons had taken to calling nostalgia after witnessing odd behavior in soldiers. “And why would that be of interest to me?”
    Will plucked a satisfyingly large chip of paint off the back of his hand and held it up for his own inspection. “As a commander in the field, I assumed you would have witnessed these conditions in your soldiers and would naturally have an interest in them.”
    The tension in Rand’s shoulders eased. “Indeed. But let us leave that discussion for another time, shall we? Catch me up on your news.”
    Fortunately, Will was happy to converse about his work. The trio walked the gardens at a brisk pace until Will took his leave to keep an appointment.
    After his departure, Rand turned to Cam. “Have you had any word from Sebastian?” Their brother, Sebastian, had been ensconced in the country with his wife, the Duchess of Traherne, following the birth of their third child.
    “They returned to Town yesterday,” Cam said. “But he had other matters to attend to today.”
    Rand pushed a branch out of their way as they traversed a rocky patch of hill. “Three children in three years. Our brother isn’t one to waste time.”
    “What about you?” Cam asked. “A newly minted earl will have all of the marriage-minded mamas in raptures.”
    “My ever-present scowl has kept me safe from them thus far.”
    “Charlotte and I saw you at Lady Katherine’s betrothal party, but you departed before greeting us.”
    “I didn’t care for the crush.”
    “Was it difficult seeing her again?” Cam spoke in careful tones. He alone of the brothers knew the full extent of Rand’s early involvement with Kitty.
    He continued looking straight ahead as they walked. “I’m told Sinclair is honorable.”
    “He is.”
    “Then it is settled. The past is the past.”
    “True,” said Cam in an idle tone. “Unless it isn’t.”
    “I do not care to speak of it.”
    “You almost got yourself killed in that bloody war in order to prove yourself worthy of her. You’re an earl now, higher even than her betrothed. If you want her, go and claim her.”
    “It isn’t that simple.”
    “You put yourself through hell and back for that female.” Cam ran a hand over his head, ruffling his amber mane, which never appeared tidy. “Do you now intend to let her marry another?”
    “It was a boyish infatuation that I have long since grown out of.” It was a blatant lie, but he could never subject Kitty to a life with him; he’d never allow her to know the darkness that possessed him now. “If I still wanted the lady, do you think I would have gone to India after I resigned my commission?”
    Cam shook his head. “I’ve never understood your decision to be away from England for so long.”
    “It isn’t so very complicated. There was a fortune to be made in India and being the second son behooved me to seek it. That’s quite enough about me. How is Charlotte?”
    “Exceedingly well.” Cam’s choice of a wife had surprised him. His brother’s tastes had always run to voluptuous beauties. Rand had met Charlotte for the first time a few weeks ago. With her willowy form and even features, the marchioness was nothing like Cam’s former paramours, yet his brother had never seemed happier. “She seems to suit you.”
    Cam’s eyes shined. “She does indeed. In every way.”
    Cam allowed him to direct the conversation away from Kitty and they spent the rest of the time discussing other matters as normal people might. Although Rand rarely felt completely normal anymore. When they neared Round Pond, Cam took his leave to join his wife and children for luncheon. Declining an invitation to join him, Rand continued on.