“Ordinary people,” Richard repeated, turning his head to the side again, making his words clearer. “What the devil would you know about ordinary people, Lord Pretentious Basset? Visiting your precious mines doesn’t help, not if you keep your hands clean and don’t scrape for bread.”

“You’ve never scraped for bread a day in your life,” Harrison retorted. “Your problems are self-inflicted, not due to poor wages, a poor harvest, or a failing mine that cannot pay out. Don’t pretend to possess some nobility of spirit simply because you are in want. You will garner no sympathy from me.”

Richard laughed once, a sound rife with spite. “Trust me, brother. I know full well where I stand with you, which begs the question, why are you here?”

Harrison pressed his tongue to the roof of his mouth, debating the wisdom of sharing anything with Richard after all. But when Richard was in the throes of recovering from a night’s drinking and opium, he was less irritating and more pitiful. Perhaps that would help his cause.

“I’m getting married,” Harrison said flatly. “Thought you should know.”

Richard coughed, the sound actually painful to hear. “The hell,you say. Who’s the poor lass saddled with the heartless, hollow man?”

Harrison let the insult pass unremarked. “You do not need to know. I’ve not come to invite you to the wedding.”

“Aw, and I was so looking forward to going to church with you.” Richard pouted like a child. “What a spectacle you’ll make. You do know you’ll need to appear pleased with the arrangement, don’t you, Harry? Or have any kind of expression? Emotion? You know the word?”

“Don’t come, Richard,” Harrison warned sternly. “I’m not telling you the date, I’m not naming my bride, and I’m not giving you a choice. Do not interfere. Please.”

“He even says please like a good little boy should.” Richard coughed again, then, with great effort, pushed himself up to a position on all fours, which seemed to pain him further. “Don’t worry, Harry. I have no interest in the mouse you’re marrying, or that you are marrying, or anything remotely related to you, really. I’ve more fascinating things to see on my breakfast plate.”

Harrison pointedly looked around the room. “You have a breakfast plate? Must have missed that one among all your other belongings on my way in.”

Richard raised his head just enough to scowl at him. “Only a villain mocks those in an unfortunate state.”

“You are unfortunate, and that might have been redeemable once.” Harrison shrugged. “Now it’s just a fact.”