The Lady in Disguise

Chapter Thirty-Two (part 3)

Byrne had rather hoped Reginald Browning might not recognize him. The last time he'd seen him, he'd been nearly fresh off his journey, his clothes well-worn, his hair overgrown. Though Fletcher lamented him not keeping things trimmed at all times, he was wearing fashionable clothes and was, altogether, not the same young man who came calling at the Browning townhouse all those years ago.

It's not as if Byrne thought or even hoped he'd be impressed. He cared little what Lord Browning or any Browning thought of him. But Byrne would rather he hadn't noticed him at all. It was so much easier to do what he must with his supposed family unaware.

But first Oliver had come. That was distraction enough, but now to have Reginald... The very sight of him made him angry, clouded, not in a fit state to enact his revenge with the cool calculation it demanded.

He was quite ready to take him by the cravat, as the bastard done to Oliver. Had he been trying to get Oliver in his carriage? Byrne would like to force them both into that carriage and away from here.

Before he could even start, Tony spilled out the door just after Higgins, quite out of breath.

He supposed his butler had gone to collect him. Higgins needn't have bothered. Byrne could throw out this garbage himself.

"What's all this, then?" Tony demanded, obviously trying to sound outraged, but not quite succeeding, what with the way he leaned against the door to catch his breath.

Higgins straightened up. "Sir Anthony, this man has been assaulting Mr. Browning and forcing—"

"Assaulting?" Lord Browning turned his sneer toward Higgins now. "Mr. Browning happens to be my brother. And I should not have to force him to do anything." He turned to Oliver now. "He should do what he's told."

Oliver stiffened at that. "I am a grown man who can do as he wishes."

Byrne was almost impressed. Yes, he might have told himself that Oliver Browning was snobbish, much like the rest of his family, but he did entertain the possibility Miss Crewe was right and that, if anything, the lad was shy. There was not much of that shy lad on display now.

His older brother was obviously not impressed. "Then you better change your wishes because Father—"

"Then send Father to get me," Oliver cut in. "He won't bother and you know it. And I'm not going with you."

"You fat waste of—"

"Is that Reg I see?" Tony strode across the gravel drive, looking — or pretending to look — delighted. "Reg Browning, isn't it? After your brother showed up, how I hoped you'd drop in!"

That wasn't true at all. Just the other night, Tony had expressed how much he despised Reginald Browning, how surprised he was to find his younger brother so much more civil.

"Pembroke." Reginald momentarily dropped his sneer. "I don't mean to stay. It's just my brother is due home and—"

"Oh, come now. How can it be so urgent?" Tony wrapped an arm around Reginald's shoulder, leading him into the house "At least let us have a drink first. It's been so very long. Tell me, are you still partial to a good whiskey? But of course you are. Everyone is! I have some very nice..."

Byrne stared after them, quite aware of what Tony was doing. He was playing at being the magnanimous host. He saw tension and sought to solve it. He was probably thinking his good nature and a good drink would calm any situation. And though Byrne knew, from what he'd gathered over the years, that Reginald Browning liked a good drink, especially one he didn't pay for, that didn't mean he would be an ideal guest. 

"This is not going to go well."

Byrne turned, surprised to find Oliver Browning had said the words he'd nearly said himself.

Oliver shook his head, then met Byrne's eyes. "Him coming here... This was the last thing I wanted, I swear."

Byrne couldn't help but believe him. But what the hell could be done about it?

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Sorry it's just a wee little update for now. Life is hectic right now. I wanted to give you guys something rather than nothing this morning and finish up the previous scene. I'll be back tomorrow with more. Pinky promise!