Chapter 40

***Fitz POV***

Despite rescuing my elder brother, again, from the debtors' prison he was uniformly ungrateful. I purchased him a commission in the Royal Regiment of Horse Guards. It took some convincing of the gruff, jolly Captain Sanderson and extortionate payment but I needed a ceremonial regiment that was unlikely to see war.

I would hardly be enacting my vow to my mother to save him from one disaster only to send him hurtling towards cannonfire.

It means James is now safely ensconced within a disciplined collection of men. To be ill behaved, disreputable might see a swift transfer to a company expecting to ship across to France. The threat of which I hope will keep James in check, at least for the Season.

"Well then little brother, what godly favours have landed in your lap to furnish me so pleasantly?"

"The last such furnishing of its type," I bitterly reply.

"Oh of course. I quite understand you are discharging me from your tender nursing, you only left me in their four months,