Kiss From a Rogue Read Online Free

him to come down as soon as he was ready. He opened the door and stepped in.
    Behind the massive oak desk, Ben was seated in his big leather chair, account ledgers spread across the desk, with his wife sideways on his lap. Jo had a pencil in one hand and was moving balls on the abacus, or at least attempting to do so, with her other hand. Her progress was impeded by Ben’s nuzzling of her ear.
    Tony stood motionless, frozen. He should leave them their privacy, but found himself unable to look away. His breathing hitched and an unfamiliar emotion crept over him.
    Envy.
    Not specifically for his brother’s wife, attractive though she was, but for their relationship. Happiness and contentment seemed to ooze from their every pore. Ben was at peace, because of the laughing woman on his lap.
    Could Tony ever find a similar joy and peace for himself? Or was that also reserved solely for the eldest son, along with the title and family wealth?
    “Pull up a chair.”
    Tony looked up with a guilty start at his brother’s command.
    “I’ll leave you two to your chat.” Lady Sinclair struggled to get up, her cheeks flooded with color. She had faced down menacing merchants and towering servants in her role as “Mister Quincy,” but was still embarrassed to be caught on her husband’s lap. Charming. Or perhaps she just couldn’t bear to look at him after the liberty he’d taken with her the other day. He wouldn’t blame her.
    Ben’s arms tightened around her waist. “You don’t have to leave just yet,” he murmured.
    “Yes, no need to leave on my account,” Tony felt compelled to add as he sat down. He must have a death wish. Judging by the narrowed expression on his brother’s face, Ben would gladly help make that wish come true.
    Lady Sinclair peeled Ben’s arm from her waist and slid to the floor, adjusting her gown as she straightened. “Will you be staying in for dinner tonight?”
    Tony wasn’t aware he was grinning until Ben scowled at him. “Yes, Jo, um, Lady Sinclair. I wouldn’t miss it.”
    “Until tonight, then.” With a last blush, she swept from the room.
    “Now then.” Ben pushed aside the abacus and account books.
    Tony sat up. Before his eyes, the jolly newlywed disappeared, replaced by the Earl of Sinclair, head of the family.
    “How’s your head?”
    “Much better. Thompson’s cure is quite effective.”
    “Yes, I know.” Ben picked up a pencil, then set it down again. “As I said earlier, Mama is concerned by your recent behavior. As am I. I know it can’t have been easy, holding things together while I was…away.”
    Five years of away, five years of uncertainty, where the younger son had to put a good face on the disaster their family had become, the scandal fodder after Papa’s suicide. Five years of delaying his schooling, not knowing if he’d ever return to complete the remaining year.
    Now Ben was back, recovered from his injuries, married, getting on with his life.
    Mama was out of mourning, being courted by both a viscount and a marquess, getting on with her life.
    And Tony…He hadn’t a clue what to do with his life.
    Ben was still speaking. Tony reluctantly brought his thoughts back to their surroundings. “…job at the Home Office. Dunwood wants a clerk he can rely on, and I told him you’d be well suited. You’re not a green lad just out of Cambridge. You have skills and experience that will stand both of you in good stead.” Ben leaned forward, palms flat on the desk. “It will do you good—the salary will make you independent of any allowance, enable you to leave Grandmama’s inheritance untouched. You can let bachelor quarters without worrying about the expense. Mama will still worry about you, of course, but you won’t have to be present for it.”
    Work as a clerk for Lord Dunwood? Tony leaned back in his chair. A respectable position, an independent income, a regular schedule.
    Predictable. Subject to a supervisor’s whims.
    Boring.
    “So? Will you