Night of Pleasure by Delilah Marvelle Page A

brother was about to permanently shackle himself to the art of pain. He had to do something. He had to— “No. I’m sorry but this is…no. This is not who you are. And I won’t have some woman erasing your mind by making you think burning the word mentula on your arm is normal. Because it’s not. Hell, if I had to guess, she is taking advantage of you. You’re the brother of a titled gentleman bringing in close to a thousand a year. And that measly thousand, as you damn well know, will become a full ten thousand once I marry Miss Grey and increase your yearly annuity. Does this woman know this?”
    Andrew didn’t meet his gaze. “Maybe.”
    “ Maybe ? Did you or did you not tell her about your finances?”
    “Yes. I did. All right? I did. What of it?”
    Shite. “Is that why you’ve been borrowing funds? Because you’re giving her funds?”
    Andrew still didn’t meet his gaze. “I’m assisting her with sizable debts.”
    A cold knot formed in Derek’s stomach. His brother always gave too much of himself to the world. And sadly, too many people took advantage of that. “You can’t keep doing this to yourself. You can’t let women— You’re done with this.” He pointed at his brother, his ability to stay calm waning. “You are not to see her again. Or I will bloody have her arrested for what she did to your arm. Do you understand? I want her name and the address of this establishment. Now .”
    Andrew’s startled face snapped toward him. “Why? What do you plan to do?”
    “I plan to take a carriage to London and talk to whoever the hell she is working for. Because it’s fairly obvious by her endearment and the money she is confiscating from you that she is taking advantage of your affections. Like all the others.”
    Andrew angled toward him, intently searching his face. “She isn’t like the others.”
    “This isn’t the first time you’ve been financially swindled by a woman. I can easily name ten others. Remember Miss Lester? That shop girl you fell madly in love with and who needed a hundred pounds? After you gave it to her, did you ever see her again? No. She disappeared and never even bothered to give you a reason why or a thank you.”
    “This is different.”
    “No. Forgive me, Andrew, but it’s rather obvious your heart needs a new chest if you think it acceptable to be burning and whipping yourself in the name of impressing a woman. Because I know you. You weep at the sight of blood. Marry a birch mistress, indeed.”
    Those dark eyes flared. “Yes, well, unlike your spoiled ruby American heiress, she doesn’t hold out a hand. She bloody smacks it.”
    Derek shifted his jaw, feeling a muscle ticking angrily in it, and edged toward his brother until they were boot to boot and almost nose to nose. “Are you insulting my woman? To my face, no less?”
    “You insulted my woman first.”
    Derek didn’t move. “End it. Or I will.”
    His brother stared him down. “I thought you, of all people, would stand by me in this.”
    “You thought wrong. I’m not supporting your damnation.”
    Andrew shoved past, slamming Derek with his shoulder. He stalked toward the open door of the study. “Tell Mother I’ll see her in two weeks. I’m heading back to London tonight. I’m not staying here. I can’t.”
    Derek swung toward him, his throat tightening. “Andrew, how can you not understand my concerns? When it comes to women, you’re— irrational .”
    A hand snapped up. “Yes, I suppose it must be nice to know Miss Grey is all yours without you having to try.”
    That stung. Derek stalked after him. “Don’t you bloody toss that at me! I’ve stood by you in everything. You damn well know that! But you can’t expect me to—”
    “No. I suppose I can’t.” Andrew came to a halt. “Which is why it’s time I stand on my own. I’m asking that you not send me any more money from the estate. Because I will admit, you are right. I’m not handling my finances well and spend far