Groom Wars

6. Nobles And Spilt Blood

A few days after the ball, Leandro and his brothers received an invitation to hunt from the duke's eldest son, David. As it would be a gathering of nobles, and sons of upper-class businessmen, Leandro and his brothers, before departing, dressed in a manner that was fashionable among their society. Over durable check shirts, they wore suspenders that secured their trousers and double-breasted tweed jackets with notched lapels. The young men slipped their feet into hunting boots and went outside.

A pair of young, able-bodied footmen brought three beautiful black stallions from the stable at the back of the manor to the driveway where the brothers waited. Without a word, the three brothers mounted their horses and left their home, travelling to the duke's dwelling via country roads veiled by lush green foliage. After crossing a busy bridge, roughly an hour later, the brothers' horses trotted up duke's winding driveway, racing other gentlemen who had also travelled by horseback. Sweat dripped down Leandro's back and face as he neared his destination. The clatter of hooves rang as the party of young men neared the looming black body of the castle.

Leandro tugged his horse's reins, and it slowed to a stop near the grand cement staircase that led to the castle's front door.

The brothers glanced wearily at the hugons that paraded the battlements overhead, sheathed swords attached to their belts. The guards wore long black tunics, black breeches, and riding boots. Golden chevron strips decorated their black shoulder boards. The guards marched with blank expressions, their pace quick and unfaltering.

A sound near the head of Leandro's horse drew his attention. Valets wearing black tailcoats offered to take the arrivals' horses to the stable. Steven nodded, and following him, the two younger Valente brothers disembarked, their spurs tapping the black pavement.

The three brothers made a dashing unit. Leandro, the middle child, wore his golden hair tied back. Loose ends that had broken free of the elastic slid across his face. His younger brother, Michael, had swept his black hair to the left, and his expression shifted from shy to impassive. His attempt to adopt the cold, dismissive, unfeeling demeanour the nobles like to display warmed Leandro's heart. Leandro remembered how he and Michael would fight with wooden swords till late into the night. How they would build snow forts and have small wars in their front yard, and how they had often cuddled their mother on stormy nights to fall asleep.

Unlike Michael, Leandro's elder brother, Steven adopted the bored expression of nobles entirely. His thick eyebrows were relaxed, and so was his jaw. He looked unfazed by the large body of the castle shrouded by woods. He indolently ran a hand through his short copper curls as he lazily studied his surroundings. Others arrived; young gentlemen in dashing outfits like the Valente brothers. Designer clothes. Their deep, resonating voices started bubbles of conversations. Leandro recognized the angular face of Eldon Myers, the son of a famous jeweller. He also recognized the black afro and dark brown skin of a boy named Joseph, the son of a reputable movie director.

Michael cleared his throat, his pupils shifted anxiously. Leandro stepped close to his brother and whispered, "Don't be nervous. None of these men have any reason to look down on you. Hold your chin up."

Michael released a slow breath and raised his chin.

"Good," Leandro said and gave his brother's shoulder a gentle squeeze.

The assembly of young men went into the duke's sitting room and chatted before they were summoned for dinner. They had their meal in the dining room at a long mahogany table; crystal chandeliers dangled from chains attached to the ceiling, and light reflected off the silverware and glass. They were served a delicious meal of rotisserie chicken, boiled potatoes, vegetables, and rice. When they finished their food, everyone glanced at David, son of Duke Columbia, the duke who, at the king's request, had given a portion of his lands to Leandro's father, allowing the lawyer to take his place as the earl of Vancouver.