Sterling woke the next day in his own bed, covered by blankets and laid on his side. He smiled. A servant to the last. He climbed from the bed and dressed for the day, his head pounding from the remnants of the alcohol from the night before. He had drunk quite a lot. Perhaps next time he should suggest a game he wasn't so poor at. Or at least one in which the stakes weren't so high. He grimaced and rubbed his temples as another dull ache set in.

Once he had pulled his boots on, he headed for the door, wrenching it open and heading down the stairs to the dining room below. When he entered, his sister and cousin were already there and were already eating. He touched Cora on the shoulder as he passed her to his seat. He sat down and took a sip of his coffee, feeling the warmth flow through him and feeling a bit better from it. Then he realized that Cora was staring at him, mouth set in a thin line.

"What?" he asked.

"Good morning," she said.

"Good morning to you," he answered.

"Rough night last night?"

"Yes. I'm afraid I overindulged again," he told her, rubbing his temples again at the splitting headache he felt. The door behind him opened and he turned to see Lucy entering with the coffee pot to refill his cup. He smiled and thanked her.

"I'm sure you did."

She seemed upset.

"Don't worry," he told her. "I'm not drinking again for a long time."

She scoffed, flipped her hair over her shoulder, and stomped from the room.

"What's her problem?" he asked his cousin. The Duchess only shrugged and took a sip of her own coffee.

"Who knows," she said.

He got through breakfast easily enough. Without his sister present, the topic of his marriage didn't come up once. Instead, he asked his cousin how her husband was and heard all about Corinth. It was a much more pleasant of a conversation than he had expected this morning and it had him in good spirits once breakfast was over and he was off to carry on with his business.

He went to his study first and found that it had already been cleaned. The glasses from the previous night had been washed and placed back on his desk. He smiled and sat down to his business. He tried to focus on the tallying of rents, he truly did, but found himself distracted. The sun streaming in through the window was a constant reminder of the shame it was to waste such a beautiful day indoors. So he set his papers aside and headed outside to enjoy the grounds that he worked so hard to maintain.

Once outside, he took a deep breath of the crisp morning air. The breeze was blowing slightly and he could smell the flowers from the gardens in the air. He found Douglass and Oliver outside of the stone tower. They smiled at him as he approached.

"Douglas, I feel like a hunt," he said jovially. "Ready the men. Bring Oliver, Henry, and that boy of his who wants to ride, Nicholas."

Douglas raised a brow. "You're in a fine mood this morning, my Lord."

"It's a beautiful day. And I feel like being outdoors. May as well be of some use while I am."

Douglas nodded and turned to Oliver. "You heard him. Ready the supplies and rouse the men."

Oliver nodded and ran off to do as told. Douglas smiled and he and Sterling set off on a walk across the grounds to the stables.

"Now tell me the truth," Douglas said as they walked alone. "What's gotten into you?"

"Cora is mad at me," Sterling told him. "She isn't speaking to me. Turns out her silence is exactly what I needed to wake up on the right side of the bed for once."

Douglas laughed heartily at the joke. Sterling laughed along with him, though he knew he had told his oldest friend a lie. His sudden cheerfulness had nothing to do with his sister and everything to do with a certain kitchen maid. He had forgotten what a new friendship felt like, how invigorating it could be to spend a night in conversation with someone who shared similar interests with him. The wine could have had a bit to do with it as well, he supposed.

They reached the stables soon enough and began readying their own mounts for the journey into the forest. They were joined by the men he had requested soon after. Henry approached with his hand upon the shoulder of a wide eyed Nicholas. Sterling smiled at the boy and knelt down to his level.

"Good morning Nicholas," he said kindly.

"Good morning, my Lord," Nicholas answered.

"Are you ready to ride your first horse?"

The boy nodded emphatically as Oliver led out the smallest pony they had. The boy grinned at it as it approached and claimed. "I've been practicing as I promised."

Sterling laughed. "Promised Miss Brenna, you mean?"

The boy flushed red as he nodded.

"I'm sure she taught you well," he said and then he stepped back so that Henry could lift his boy onto the small saddle.

The rest of the party went back to preparing and mounting their own horses. As Sterling hoisted himself onto his preferred black stallion, he heard the thundering of many more hooves farther up the road. He squinted to see a party approaching from the main road. He turned to Douglas who was already looking his way and told his men they would meet them in the middle. Then he set off at a gallop for the incoming party, his men following close behind, Douglas riding with his hand on the hilt of his sword, protective and prepared as always.

But as they approached, Sterling realized it was a friendly face that journeyed onto his lands. He broke out into a smile and spurred his horse onward, faster. The leader of the other party did the same and they came to a halt in the middle of the grounds, each of them jumping from their horse before it even came to a full stop. Sterling marched forward and threw his arms around his brother who was smiling from ear to ear.

"Theo," he said in greeting, clapping the man on the back as they separated.

"Sterling, it's been too long," Theodore responded. Their men arrived behind them, Douglas holding the reins of Sterling's stallion and a familiar man named Bernard gripping the reins of his brother's as Theodore nodded a greeting to the gathered men from the estate. "Douglas, Henry, Oliver. How are you all?"

"Well, Sir," Henry answered.

"Bernard," Sterling said, reaching up to clasp the forearm of the man on the horse in front of him. "It's been a long time. How has it been following my brother about on his many travels?"

"Fascinating, my Lord," Bernard answered. "I've seen much of the world. Though he keeps me quite busy in the job of protecting."

"Bernard complains overmuch but he secretly loves the challenge," Theodore said cockily and Sterling laughed. He was the same Theo he had always known. The arrogant, adventurous, bold boy he had always been.

Sterling clapped him on the back again and welcomed them all home. "We were just about to go on a hunt but I suppose-"

"I would love to go for a hunt," Theodore interrupted.

"But, Sir, you've just returned from a long journey," Oliver offered. "Surely, you would appreciate a rest."

"Has it been so long since we've last seen each other Oliver?" Theodore asked. "Have you forgotten how rarely I tire of adventure?"

Oliver smiled as Theodore hoisted himself back onto his horse. Sterling did the same.

"My men will rest," Theodore told them. "I'm sure Bernard will enjoy the idea of my brother taking over my charge for a morning."

"It's been so long since I had a vacation," Bernard joked and they all laughed.

"Very well, you're welcome to join," Sterling said and then spurred his mount onward. Theodore caught up easily enough and they cantered on side by side as Sterling's men fell in behind them. After a few moments of silent riding, Sterling asked. "Where have you been this time?"

"The islands of Amarah," Theodore told him with a smile. "It's beautiful there, Sterling, you would love it. Or perhaps you wouldn't. I've never understood your affinity for the frigid north. You seem to love your freezing temperatures and dense snows. One might think you were trying to freeze your manhood off so you wouldn't have to use it."

Sterling laughed, remembering how brash his younger brother was.

"Imagine Cora trying to marry you off to some lovely Isalovian woman and having to explain that missing appendage," Theodore said.

"You've heard of her attempts?" Sterling asked.

"She's always had her attempts but I have heard they have become much more aggressive as of late. I do believe there was a ball that I was not invited to."

Sterling looked over to his brother. "You wouldn't have come anyway."

"You're right. I have no intention of marrying you."

Sterling laughed.

"How did you know about the ball?" he asked.

"I maintain my contacts in Northbrook. There are quite a few people here who still find my company charming, you know."

"Some poor hopeless romantic women, then?"

Theo smirked. "They hope I'll return and send me news of my family in an effort to entice me. I'm not sure why they think a ball to find my brother a wife would arouse my interest."

"You shouldn't do that to them, lead them on like that."

"I need to have a bit of assured entertainment when I come to visit my dear family."

"Are our hunts and arguments not enough for you, brother?"

Theo laughed at that.

"So," Sterling said, settling into his saddle for the long ride and conversation ahead. "Tell me about your travels."

And he did. For the next hour's ride, Theo regaled him with tales of faraway cities and strange countries. He told him of the islands of Amarah where there was sand as white as snow but warmed you to your very soul when you stood upon it and water so clear you could see the fish swimming in schools beneath your boat. He told him of the cliffs of Cleva where the winds were so fierce that men who got too close to the edge were whipped right off of them to their deaths far below. He told him of the women of Gaetana who walked around with their stomachs exposed, jewelry dangling and clinking from their every limb. It was all fascinating and Sterling listened intently as his brother spoke. Theodore had a story from every one of the places he had been about some sort of trouble he had gotten into while there. In Cleva, it had been gambling. In Amarah, drinking and in Gaetana, whoring.

Sterling had learned long ago not to judge his brother's indulgences. In the past, any time a member of the family had attempted to curb him of his appetites, he had disappeared for an even longer time, refusing to come back to a judgmental family who would not allow him to live his life as he wished. But such was the life of a second son. Theodore could do as he wished for as long as he wanted because he had no responsibility or people who were counting on him. So Sterling had long ago decided that the fruitless lectures were not worth the months without his brother's company. Now, he only listened in silence as the men stopped and gathered near a small brook to eat their packed lunch and Theodore told them even more stories that Sterling hadn't yet heard.

They were all strikingly similar though. Theodore would arrive in a country, enjoy its splendor for a few days until he became bored, and then get himself into trouble just for entertainment. Because of his title and his breeding, as well as his association with a world power like Isalovia, he was never truly in much danger. Most civilized countries had civilians who knew better than to hurt a member of the Isalovian aristocracy. That lesson had certainly been learned by Quenby, the country to their south who had held an Isalovian Duke captive and started a war, the war that Sterling's father had died in. But Isalovia had won in the end and Quenby had paid a hefty price for their loss. Since then, most of the other countries did not wish to upset the Isalovian government. Sterling was grateful that his brother was relatively protected by the reputation of his country while abroad but he also felt that he sometimes abused that power.

When they had finished eating, the hunt began. Quietly, they made their way into the depths of the woods. It was peaceful here. The only noise to be heard was the call of the birds overheard or the sound of the small creatures in the brush below. They walked for some time with little luck. Douglas managed to shoot a few squirrels and string them across his back but no larger game was to be found. That is, until they came upon a clearing in which a large buck stood, grazing on the grass. Lord Huntington held up a hand and they all stopped. He walked quietly to the boy and knelt down.

"You've been practicing with your bow and arrow too, haven't you?" he asked and the boy nodded. "Your father tells me you're quite good."

Nicholas looked up at Henry who smiled down at him. The boy smiled in turn and nodded to his Lord.

"Would you like to shoot it?"

The excitement in his eyes was clear. He nodded fervently and then silently pulled his bow from his back and nocked an arrow.

"Carefully," Sterling said. "Don't forget to breathe."

The boy nodded and took a deep breath.

"Whenever you're ready," he said and the boy took a few more breaths and then shot. He missed. The arrow lodged itself into the dirt in front of the buck who, alerted, tried to run. But another arrow whizzed through the air and struck home in its chest and it collapsed. Sterling looked over to see Theodore lowering his bow.

"What?" he asked when all eyes were trained on him. "You didn't want it to get away, did you?"

Sterling sighed and gestured for Henry and Douglas to gather the buck. They did, slinging it on the back of Nicholas's pony. Then Nicholas and Henry got onto Henry's horse and the rest of them mounted and headed out of the forest. The buck was a good catch. It was massive and would provide a great supper if they could get it back in time for Mrs. Woods to cook up. So they headed back to the estate, their prized catch in tow. Theodore continued to entertain the men with his stories as they walked but Sterling found them slightly more irritating now than he had before.

As they approached the estate, Cora and Adelaide came rushing out from the foyer to greet them. Sterling and Theodore jumped from their mounts which were led away by Douglas, Oliver, and Henry. Cora and Adelaide both hugged Theo in turn and he hugged them back, kissing them each on the cheek as they separated.

"It's so great to see you again!" Cora exclaimed. "We didn't know you were coming."

"I didn't send word ahead of time, sister. I apologize. I know how you hate to be caught off guard. I'm surprised your various gossiping ladies didn't warn you of my presence even before my arrival."

She laughed. "They aren't as up to date on the state of things as I would hope."

The four of them left the grounds to head inside the estate. Theodore, Cora, and Adelaide lingered in the parlor as Theo began to tell them some of the tamer stories from his travels. Sterling excused himself, saying he had spent too much of the day having fun outdoors and that he must get some business done before dinner. Truly, he loved his brother, but the constant bragging was something one needed a break from. So he ascended the stairs to his study and found it much easier to focus on the tallying of rents once he had gotten the desire for the outdoors out of his system.

Just as he had finished, there was a knock on his door and he bid the newcomer enter. It was his brother. Theo crossed the floor to his desk and looked down at the papers he had been working on.

"I don't miss that," he said, nodding in the direction of the tallies.

"Since when did you ever do it?" Sterling asked and Theo smiled, taking a seat across from him. He reached forward and lifted the wine glass from the desk, tilted it, saw that it was empty, and sat it back down.

"Cora wanted me to come and tell you dinner was ready. Seems Mrs. Woods had enough time to cook up that venison, after all. That or she worked those poor servants to death getting it ready for you"

Sterling frowned at the thought.

"I'm kidding," Theodore assured him. "You really are just as serious as ever."

Sterling smiled, shaking his head, and stood from his desk to follow his brother down to the dining room. Cora and Adelaide were already there as they entered and sat. The door behind them opened and Elsie and Lucy entered, serving the first course of stew. In spite of himself, Sterling found himself feeling disappointed that Brenna was not among those serving their dinner tonight.

As they began to eat, Theo launched into more of his stories and Cora nodded along, asking questions from time to time. After about an hour of it, Sterling glanced up to see Adelaide watching him, smiling at the realization that he thought this was just as ridiculous as she did. Still, they sat through it, casting each other a glance from time to time when Theo would tell a tale that was especially unbelievable or ridiculous. Sterling had to remind his brother of his manners only once when he started telling a story that began in a brothel and he had to remind him that they were in the presence of ladies. Theo apologized and promised it was a good story and a true tragedy that he could not tell them of it, swearing he would tell Sterling later. Sterling did not say it but he secretly hoped later would never come.

His brother had a terrible way of speaking of women. For him, they had only ever satisfied one need of his. He had never been one for the traditional relationship and had often referred to his excursions with women from other countries as "sampling the local fare". Sterling found it distasteful and could only stomach so much of it at a time. That time had come. Sterling stood from the table, indicating that dinner had come to an end. He started to ask Lucy to show his brother to his room but then thought better of it and asked Arthur to instead.

When Theodore left, Cora left with him, continuing their conversation up the stairs and toward their rooms. Adelaide remained, downing the last of her wine before she stood as well.

"Well, Theodore is home," she said with finality and Sterling laughed.

"That he is."

"Oh, how I've missed his wretched tales of debauchery."