Read Online A Scoundrel's Surrender by Jenna Petersen - Free Book Online

said, “Of course it’s no trouble. And it is getting late now, so perhaps it is best to leave you settled where you are.”
    Their mother’s expression fell, but she nodded. “I suppose you are right. Everyone is in such high emotion, there is no reason to rush around changing what is working out. But if you change your mind—”
    Before she could finish, Caleb bowed. “Of course. I will consider your offer.”
    His mother’s lips thinned, but she said nothing further even when his sister wrapped her arm around her gently. For a long moment the family stood in silence, but then Caleb shifted.
    â€œJustin, might we return to your home now? I assume Victoria must be awaiting a report on how the day went.”
    Justin nodded and Caleb almost felt badly for using his sister-in-law to force his brother’s departure, but Victoria had been feeling ill that morning and hadn’t accompanied the gentlemen to their meeting. He knew Justin was concerned for her health and wanted to check on her.
    â€œYes, we should return,” Justin conceded.
    Their mother and sister escorted the two men downstairs. Caleb watched as Justin embraced each woman. Caleb wished he could be so unguarded, but instead he nodded his farewell to each and stepped outside.
    He was surprised to find the sun setting. Time had slipped away from him today, as much as it ever had when he drank it away. Only he preferred the drinking, for it numbed the pain he felt so keenly at present. There was yet another reason to forget all these troubles and return to the carefree life he’d once led.
    Stepping into the carriage, he let out a long sigh. His brother settled in across from him and the carriage rolled into motion.
    â€œCaleb—” Justin began when they had moved along a few streets.
    He lifted his gaze to Justin. “You are disappointed in me, there is no need to begin an entire treatise about it. I don’t think I can bear it at present.”
    Justin pursed his lips. “I’m not disappointed. Great God, Caleb, it was the first time you have seen our family since you found out the truth about yourself. To be honest, I expected much worse.”
    Caleb laughed, but there was no humor in the sound. “Did you think I would enter the house and scream out the truth from the foyer, demand satisfaction, perhaps challenge someone, anyone to a duel?”
    Justin shrugged. “There was much I feared. But instead you remained quite calm about the entire situation.”
    Caleb shut his eyes as he thought of the jumbled images of his time with his family. “Our sister holds a great deal of resentment toward me.”
    Justin nodded. “She, like everyone else, knows nothing of the circumstance which caused you to leave so abruptly. Tessa thinks you abandoned our family and yes, she is angry about it, despite my attempts to defend you since your departure.”
    â€œWell, I appreciate your efforts, even if they were fruitless.” Caleb rubbed his eyes.
    â€œIf you want to end her anger, I suppose you could tell her the truth,” Justin said after a pause, his voice barely carrying.
    Caleb jerked straight up and stared at his brother in shock. “Tell her? You and I have already discussed this. I have no intention of pursuing the truth of my birth, either by revealing that I know of it to anyone in our family or by making any attempt to uncover more about the particulars of it. You of all people should know why that isn’t prudent or even possible. You kept this secret for years.”
    â€œFor all the good it did us,” Justin said with a shake of his head. “I deserve your rage for keeping what I knew from you. You, of all people, deserved to know it.”
    Caleb looked at his elder brother for a long time. They had been best friends as much as siblings over the years. During his time away, he had missed his brother, even when he was furious at him.
    â€œI