Caldwell Christi - Dashing Dukes and Romantic Rogues

Fall 1809

London, England

Following the very public humiliation of Richard Rayne, her eldest brother, Lady Theodosia Rayne found there was no greater agony than witnessing a family members tangible heartbreak.

Theodosia hovered at the edge of the Billiards Room. The door slightly cracked, she inched it open, and peered inside. She searched for a glimpse of Richard, heir to the earldom.

A bleating snore pierced the quiet and she ducked her head all the way inside, and found him.

Oh, Richard. Those two words emerged on a whispery sigh of regret.

Her brother lay sprawled on the leather button sofa with one arm draped over his face, while his other hung loosely over the side. The muscles of her stomach tightened as she took in this man who was more of a stranger than a brother. Ever the romantic, grinning, carefree brother, hed lost his heart, to Miss Candace Roberts. In the grandest romantic gesture, hed gone down on a knee in the middle of Hyde Park to offer for heronly to be rebuffed before all Society. In the end, the lady had chosen another. Theodosia balled her hands into tight fists.

Nay. Not just any other.

Seething fury burned to life as fresh now as when shed read of Lady Candaces treachery in the gossip columns. The young woman had rejected Richard and given herself, instead, to Charles Renshaw. Of the same Renshaws whod stolen the ancient heirloom from Theodosias family years earlier and left the Raynes cursed.

Now another theft had been committedher brothers heart.

With a vicious hatred spreading like a conflagration inside, Theodosia quietly cursed the Renshaws and all who loved them.

Richard emitted another shuddery snore, forcing her attention to him, once more. His face marred with several days growth, his jacket discarded, and his remaining garments wrinkled, he had the look of a man whod lived in the bottom of a bottle since hed had his offer rebuffed. Which by the glimpses shed had of him these weeks and the stories written in the papers, was, in fact, just what hed done.

I cannot stand to see him like this

Theodosia pushed the door all the way open and stepped inside. Suddenly, a hand snaked around her wrist. That unexpected hold had wrung a gasp from her and she spun around.

Aidan, the youngest of her brothers, stood before her, a hard glint in his eyes. Do not, he ordered her.

But

Leave him. That quiet command raised a frown on her lips. Yes, Aidan was older than her one and twenty years, but not by more than two years. Even with that, there had always been a cocksure arrogance to him where hed challenged her at every turn.

He cannot remain in this room, she said quietly while Richard slumbered on noisily from the sofa.

He doesnt remain in this room, Aidan corrected in hushed tones.

Theodosia pursed her mouth. No, he doesnt, she concurred. He visits his wicked clubs and gaming hells and

It has been but a month, Aidan put in.

But a month. A month of Richard drinking himself into a stupor and slurring his words and stumbling around.

Theodosia cast another look over at Richards frame. Even in sleep, the sharp planes of his face were wreathed in agony and despair.

Nothing you say or do will erase his hurt, Aidan said, following her unspoken thoughts. He doesnt require your lecture, or your friendship. So leave him be, he ordered.

They remained locked in a silent battle. And glaring into his dark brown eyes, she resented him for being right, in this moment. There was nothing she could say or do that would undo Richards pain. His heart had been broken by a woman whod never deserved him and Theodosia had no words with which to help him put that shattered organ back together.

The truth of that realization stabbed like a dagger being plunged into her chest. When you loved your family, you loved deeply. Their joy was your joy. And their hurt became your own. Her throat worked painfully as she drew the door closed behind them.

Theodosia stalked off.

It is their bloody fault, Aidan gritted out, as he easily fell into step beside her.

She didnt pretend to misunderstand whom he spoke of. Yes, she seethed. Their age-old hatred of the Renshaws went back well beyond the sale of the Theodosia Gladius, a coveted heirloom their families had fought for. A prized gladius unlike all others for its sheer size and power. An heirloom so special, Theodosia herself had been named for it.