James had always seemed intimidated by William. He assumed it was due to his superior height, and the mere fact that he seemed much older than James in appearance.
It had led to countless arguments and disagreements between them that had only been settled by their father stepping in and clearing the air between them.
Their father was the voice of reason, who spoke with a deep, baritone voice filled with knowledge and life experience. He would sit the two of them down in his study, and if they had not come to an agreement, he would lock the door and leave them to battle it out in whichever manner they wished.
Many times Will had won, as he was taller and stronger than his older brother, which only made matters worse. As they grew older, the arguments seemed to happen less often, and things did not always matter enough to engage in a disagreement.
Still, William hated the feelings of inadequacy pulsing through him at this moment, with James staring at him in the same manner of disapproval as his father had.
Kitty took a step forward, her rosy cheeks paling, and she glanced at Emma. “Emma?”
“It was merely a small misunderstanding,” Will interjected before Emma was able to answer.
“Do not speak on my behalf,” Emma muttered and stepped away from William.
Will’s new sister-in-law raised a brow at him..
He looked away, towards his nemesis.
“Lord William does not seem to respect my view on women and their place in the world,” Emma answered confidently.
“As she does not respect mine,” William returned.
“The two of you are still arguing and disagreeing about that?” Kitty asked.
“Indeed, Your Grace,” William said.
“Different people have different opinions, especially when they were raised in different manners. Surely there should be a way that the two of you can get along without arguing,” Kitty suggested.
“Absolutely not,” they responded simultaneously, both sounding equally exasperated.
Kitty continued to try. “I understand that you both believe strongly in—”
“With all due respect, Your Grace,” Will interrupted Kitty with a respectful tone. “It would do no good to attempt for us to settle our differences. They are merely too far apart.”
James and Kitty glanced at one another, not speaking, and for a moment it seemed as though they silently deliberated what to do with them.
James grinned and turned back to William. “Brother, do you recall Father’s rather effective method when you and I could not settle our differences?”
Yes! I was just thinking the same very thing. He can’t possibly think that she and I could...
“You cannot be serious, James!” Will said.
James raised his hand, silencing Will with one move. “There will be no more exclamations. There have been an abundance of outbursts, and I will not stand for it. I wish for my home to be a serene and peaceful place, not a fortress of argument.”
“James, please be reasonable. You cannot expect me to be locked inside a room alone with this woman,” William muttered through gritted teeth.
“I beg your pardon? Locked inside a room?” Emma asked with a trembling voice.
“My brother and I had many disagreements while growing up,” James explained to a perplexed Emma.
“I cannot imagine why,” Emma retorted, as she rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.
Little brat.
“Please, allow me to finish,” James requested kindly.
William glanced briefly at Emma and stepped back without a word. Her usually bright eyes were darkened by her anger, but it did not make her any less beautiful.
Perhaps it was because William was attracted to Emma that made him feel upset and agitated, as he was well aware of the fact that she would never choose him. Perhaps it was those thoughts that angered him the most?
William shuddered at the thought and crossed his arms, turning back to James.
“When my brother and I would disagree,” James continued, “our father would take us to his study and make an attempt to rationally settle things between us. Sometimes it worked, other times it did not.”
“And what happened if it did not?” Emma inquired, her voice shaking.
“Our father would lock us inside his study and leave us to battle it out on our own,” James answered.
Emma’s brows raised and after standing perfectly still for a few moments, she shook her head. “You cannot expect either one of us to be comfortable with such a thing.”
“I see no other solution. Do you?” James asked.
“My love, perhaps it is not the best idea for them to be locked together in a confined space,” Kitty suggested.
“Listen to your wife, James,” William mocked.
“It is the only way they will be able to unleash their frustrations,” James said to Kitty.
“You stated mere moments ago that you wished our home to be a peaceful place,” Kitty countered.
“And in order for that to happen, this must be done,” James said and Will almost groaned. That tone... he knew that tone. It was their father’s.
Kitty pursed her lips and nodded in understanding. “Very well.”
“I beg your pardon?” Will asked.
“Kitty, please do not tell me you agree with this?” Emma said.
It went against all social etiquette.
“You and William have been at each other’s throats from the moment you were introduced,” Kitty answered. “Perhaps if both you and he merely became better acquainted—”
“I refuse,” William interrupted and turned away.
“I did not offer you a choice in the matter, brother,” James answered sternly.
“But this will not ensure—”
“I do not care,” James spoke over Emma’s words, and she snapped her mouth shut. “This is my home and I will run it as I see fit. Is that clear?”
“Yes, Your Grace,” Emma answered quietly and slowly stepped towards the door.
William nodded, his jaw clenched as James motioned towards the hallway.
In silence, Will and Emma were led to the downstairs study, although he would have been able to find it with his eyes closed.
He didn’t say anything else though. It was obvious they had pushed James too far already.
As expected, James stopped in front of the door to the study and opened it. He gestured to Will and Emma to enter, which they did swiftly, yet carefully.
“James,
