Realm 02 - A Touch of Velvet Read Free

Anything else, Sir?”
    “No, Mr. Horace. Once those needs are met, please release the staff for the evening. Lady Eleanor and I will partake of a late breakfast so allow everyone a few extra hours of sleep in the morning.”
    “Thank you, Sir. They will appreciate your thoughtfulness. The tea will arrive shortly. I will deliver it myself, Sir.”
    Displaying his acceptance, Bran simply acknowledged the gratitude with an aristocratic nod of his head. Taking Eleanor on his arm, he led her to his study. Upon entering the room, she strolled to the sofa and settled herself comfortably among the cushions, while he took up residence in an opposing wing chair.
    Waiting for a response, which never came, Bran cleared his throat. “You certainly gave me a surprise, Ella. I never expected to see you on The Blue Bull’s steps. I am not certain I would have recognized you without the livery. Your looks have changed from that gangly girl that I used to chase away from my room.”
    “Your looks, too, have matured. You filled out nicely, Bran. However, your image surrounds me daily at Thorn Hall.” Silence followed her remarks as they both allowed their eyes to assess the person before them.
    The butler arrived with the tea, scones, preserves, and seed cakes. He placed the tray on the low table between them. “Shall I serve, Sir?”
    “No, Lady Eleanor will serve. See to the other arrangements, and then you may retire.”
    “Yes, Sir.” Horace made his bow, exiting the room and closing the door behind him.
    Eleanor poured them both a cup before she spoke again. “I suppose you know, Bran, why I have come,” her voice barely above a whisper.
    “I suppose I do.” Bran placed the teacup down on a side table before seeking the brandy decanter from his desk. “I believe I will require something stronger than tea.” He poured two fingers’ worth, tossed it off, and then poured another. “When?” he began after a long silence. “When did he pass?”
    “A little over a month ago.” Eleanor’s words held no true regrets. “He really passed nearly two years ago. He was nothing but a figurehead for some time. I have run the estate since he began to suffer from the infirmity of his mind. We kept it as secret as possible.”
    “Then why are you here, Eleanor. Surely you do not believe I mourn the man? The day I left, I said farewell to Thornhill and all claims I might have. You are welcome to it. If you have the competence to run it, then be at it.”
    “If I had a legitimate claim to Thornhill, I would not be here, Bran. I would leave you to your life. I understand you have amassed a substantial fortune on your own. My reports say you live the life of a rake–gambling and women being your products.”
    He cautioned, “Eleanor, bitterness does not play well for a refined lady.”
    She barked out a laugh. “Then you deny the reports? Are you more, Brantley, than what your critics say?”
    “How I live my life is my business,” he charged. “I have just told you, I hold no desire to claim Thornhill. Take it and do what you will.” He strode to the chair and flopped down, ignoring what he did to his clothing.
    “Bran, when you walked away from Thornhill, you also walked away from me and from Velvet. You left us to survive on our own. Excuse me if I resent having to ask you to return; yet, I have no other choice. Our father left the estate entailed upon the male line. Even though it has been mine to oversee from the age of nineteen, I cannot succeed. The estate and title are yours.”
    “I do not want it, Eleanor!” He leaned forward to press his point. “I want nothing that once belonged to our father. Not the title. Not the estate. Not the position. And not the money!”
    “Then you will leave Velvet to Cousin Horton’s touch. Shall you turn over to Horton the estate, the title, the money, as well as the girl you once promised to marry? I suppose he will permit me to continue on as Velvet’s companion, a poor