Yet on further reflection, he had not behaved very well last night and should be ashamed. He should have apologized for mistakenly kissing Arabella rather than thanking her. “It was pleasant.”

Holland shuffled his feet. “Was that understatement for my benefit? Didn’t Lady Penelope Ford attend as well?” Holland touched the tabletop with his fingertips and then peered at them as if looking for nonexistent dust. “What did happen last night? You accepted three invitations, yet you were home by half past ten o’clock.”

Bloody hell. The man was keeping watch on his movements. If he weren’t so loyal, Merrick would actually be concerned. “Nothing.”

Holland poured a coffee from the sideboard and placed it on the paper beneath Merrick’s nose, forcing him to look up. “Your face indicates otherwise.”

Merrick stared at the man he depended on most. Holland’s calm, organized temperament was well suited to managing Merrick’s affairs. His hair was just showing signs of age in the form of patches of gray at his temples, giving him a dignified bearing, though a formerly scruffy barkeep lurked beneath. Merrick heaved a heavy sigh and sat back, stretching his legs out beneath the table, and took up the cup. “I see you’ve not the temperament for minding your own business.”

His half brother met his gaze, familiar features creased with concern. “I cannot help it. You gave up much to offer me a position, and the others too. We are here to watch over you, and your happiness affects the whole household.”

Holland was family and family, in Merrick’s opinion, was never easily dismissed, so Merrick folded the paper and set it aside. “You worry too much.”

Holland nodded. “Yes, you’ve made that very plain in the past, so tell me before I imagine the worst.”

He shook his head. “Last night I prevented one Ford scandal and merely stirred the old sow. Not a bad night.”

Holland’s eyes grew wide. “Promise me you did not call Lady Penelope that out loud.”

Merrick laughed at Holland’s shocked expression. “Why do you care? The woman can hardly bear to look at you. You are far too considerate of her feelings.”

“And what would a good woman such as Lady Penelope Ford want to look at me for? You should follow your own rules and think better of her. She is family, after all.”

“Not yours.” Merrick drained the last of his coffee and stood. “I’ve told you she isn’t even human. I won’t pretend to like her.”

Holland swallowed. “She could help smooth the way in your search for a wife. You know how important this decision is. I want you to marry well and be happy.”

Merrick shot to his feet. “If she learns from you or anyone under my roof that I am surveying the field, then there will be a ruthless cleansing of the household, after which I will never allow another relation, illegitimate or not, beneath my roof. Is that understood?”

“Yes, my lord,” Holland whispered, his face turning white. “You’ve made that very plain to all of us who depend on you.”

Merrick immediately regretted his abrupt threat. Having his half siblings under his roof these past years had proved no great hardship. He slept much better at night knowing where they all were, in fact.

He filled another cup and handed it to Holland as a peace offering. “Was there something else? Your face indicates there is,” he said, mimicking Holland’s earlier words.

Holland took the offered cup and took his time drinking the bitter brew, a sure sign Merrick wouldn’t like the news he was going to impart. “It’s not urgent.”

“Come on, man, spit it out.” He eased back into his chair to wait. Leaving out Holland, the only sensible one in the pack, his other half brothers were not temperate creatures. There was always some to-do between their brothers. A firm warning tended to calm things down. “Who is it and what have they done now?”

“Jimmy and James.” Holland quickly swallowed a mouthful of coffee before setting the cup aside. “They’ve been fighting.”

“Not a shock there. Between themselves, as usual?”

“Yes, my lord.”

Jimmy and James were the most problematic. They were arrogant little sods and proud to be employed in an earl’s house where they were well treated, fed, and clothed. He even gave them leave to visit their families three times a year. “Over what this time?”

“That I cannot get out of them.” Holland did not look happy about that fact. There was a pecking order in the house. Everyone Merrick employed knew their welfare depended on keeping Holland’s good opinion, and Holland had mentioned more than once that their comfort depended on Merrick’s continuing good graces. Most lords would not have concerned themselves with their illegitimate brothers and sisters. Merrick, the only legitimate child sired, did what he could to correct his father’s wickedness.

“Bring them in and I’ll deal with it.”

“Yes, my lord.” Holland quickly departed, returning a short time later with his two younger half siblings in tow. Both looked embarrassed to be brought before him again. If memory served, it was the third time in as many weeks. He studied them closely. Jimmy would have a black eye by dinnertime, and James’s lower lip wept blood from a cut. “Explain yourselves.”

When they looked down instead of answering, Merrick rose slowly and circled till he stood behind them. He reached out and caught them both about the neck and smacked their heads together.

“Ouch.”

“Hey, steady on.”

Sometimes being unpredictable proved very satisfying. “Idiots. You’re upsetting Holland with your nonsense. Very soon he’s going to request you be sent back home to Needham Hollow and two others brought up to replace you. You know how he hates disruptions in the midst of the season.”

“We’re sorry, milord,” they mumbled in unison.

“I do not want an apology. You owe that to Holland.” He sat again and folded his hands over his lap. “What I want is an explanation.”

Jimmy, the smallest of the pair, fidgeted. They glanced at each other guilty then at Holland. “James claimed a greater resemblance, sir. I don’t believe it.”

Merrick exchanged a glance with Holland, but the other man covered his eyes. “Resemblance to what? What the devil!”

Holland lifted his head and stared at their half brothers with annoyance twisting his lips. “Are you still debating which of you looks more like Lord Rothwell? I thought that was settled long ago.”

Merrick stood quickly. “You must be joking?”

“Forgive me. I thought this matter had been settled and would not recur.” Holland winced. “It seems there is a certain cache for owning a greater resemblance to yourself among those you’ve taken in. For some it is a point of pride and has led to some unfortunate behavior. This fight being a prime example of it all. I am sorry to have troubled you.”

Merrick stared at the men before him. They wanted to look like him? To be known as the bastard son of their scoundrel father? His mind couldn’t fathom why. He threw his hands up in the air. “This is ridiculous. Jimmy, your forehead is too wide; James, your nose is too squat. You look very little like me except for your brown eyes. I will acknowledge that at least.”

Both men perked up at his words. Jimmy nodded. “If you don’t mind having the final say, my lord, would you cast your vote on who out of all of us most resembles you?”

Merrick rolled his eyes. “Impertinent wretch. There is but one among you cursed with such a close likeness that it is obvious to any who observe. Holland, do send them back to their duties. I don’t want to hear of this matter ever again.”

Holland hustled the two men toward the door. “Yes, my lord. Forgive the interruption.”

“But he didn’t say,” Jimmy squawked, peering behind to where Merrick sat.

When they paused at the threshold, Merrick sighed. “Holland bears the closest resemblance. Any idiot, even you pair of clods, should be able to see that.”