A Scoundrel's Surrender Read Online Free

was. I even wallowed in the fact that you kept all that from me. Even though I know you were blackmailed into marrying Victoria to protect the truth.”
    Justin nodded. “I do not regret my marriage, but I should have told you myself rather than let you find out the truth by discovering the proof I burned. I should have given you the respect of trusting you with your own past. I am sorry.”
    Caleb acknowledged his brother’s apology with a brief nod. “But all my self-pity and indulgence didn’t matter. Here we are back in London, and my situation has neither changed nor improved since I left. So I am finished with it.”
    Justin cocked his head. “Finished with what?”
    â€œI refuse to let my past dictate my life any longer,” Caleb explained. “So I’m not my father’s son, what does it matter? Why shouldn’t I continue on as before and pretend, as you did for so long, that this sad set of circumstances doesn’t exist?”
    His brother’s brow furrowed. “Although I’m happy to hear you say that you no longer wish to run or hide from the truth, I’m not certain that ignoring what you know or pretending it doesn’t exist is the best alternative.”
    Caleb frowned. “Well, what would you have me do? Run to our father and confess the truth to him on his deathbed? Confront our mother?”
    â€œOf course not,” Justin snapped with a peevish shake of his head. “But there must be something in the middle, Caleb. Perhaps you could find out more about the circumstances of your birth, the family that—”
    â€œAnd tear apart some other family as ours has been torn apart?” Caleb asked, cutting off his brother with a wave of his hand.
    Justin dipped his chin without answering.
    â€œI’ve returned to London, Justin, as you wished me to do,” Caleb continued softly. “This is my decision and I intend to stand by it. I’ll return to my rollicking days of yore. Please don’t try to stop me or tell me how to live my life.”
    Justin clenched his fists against his thighs, and Caleb knew his brother well enough to see that he wanted to argue and say more. But to his surprise, Justin only jerked out a nod.
    â€œAs you wish, Caleb,” he ground out through clenched teeth. “If you feel this is for the best, then I wouldn’t dare to interfere in how you run your life. I think I did that far too much in the past.”
    Caleb shrugged as he picked up the cigar he had abandoned and puffed it. “You only did it to protect me and to protect the marquis.”
    Justin nodded, but the pain on his face at the mention of his father was palpable, and Caleb’s own chest hurt at the thought of the man who had raised him.
    â€œI wish we could have seen him today.” Caleb shook his head. “I find myself uneasy about the moment of truth.”
    Justin nodded. “I hope you don’t take today’s denial of our company personally. Father still has many good days, but also very bad ones now. If today was a bad day, the shock of seeing you after so long could cause a setback. It’s better to wait until tomorrow and allow him his rest. That way he can be happy to see you and not overwrought by the experience.”
    Caleb couldn’t help but shake his head at the idea that his father, so strong in all his memories, had to be tiptoed around in his illness. But he had other worries as well.
    â€œI suppose I shall see Mother, too,” he murmured.
    Justin’s nod of reply was slow. “She doesn’t leave his side, even when it is to her detriment. She’ll certainly be there and I’m sure very happy to see you if her enthusiasm in today’s letter was any indication. As will our sister. Tessa has often asked after you.”
    â€œYes, I received some of her letters.”
    â€œBut you never replied,” Justin said, but without any kind of opinion in his