But what was to happen once they reached ten?
Did he want to make herhisbeyond them?
Chapter Eight
Jonas had beenso busy concentrating on Ailis that he did not realize someone was standing at the door and watching them until he heard a gentleman clearing his throat. “Why would the lady put a stop to your charity donations, Jonas?”
Blessed saints.
“What are you doing here, Edward?” Jonas’s brother had his arms folded across his chest and was casually leaning one shoulder against the door while grinning at him and Ailis. “More to the point, how did you get here?”
Edward winced. “I will admit to rather foolishly riding out in the midst of the worst blizzard in recent history, but I only did it for your sake.”
Jonas stared at his youngest sibling, noting his dark brown hair was quite windblown and his ears were still red from the bitter cold. “Let me see your hands,” he ordered his brother, leaving Ailis’s side to stride toward him.
“Whatever for?” But Edward held them out for Jonas’s inspection.
“You could have gotten frostbite, you idiot,” Jonas said with a growl, but was relieved that his brother’s fingers showed no sign of damage. “Whatever possessed you to put your life in danger this way? And what have you done with our mother?”
“Not to worry, I did not abandon her in a snowdrift. She is several days behind me, and cozily settled in one of the moreelegant coaching inns until the storm passes. However, she is most eager to arrive here with her bevy oftonbeauties for your perusal, so I expect she will resume her travels without delay as soon as the storm passes. You know,tempus fugit, and all that.”
Yes, time was flying by, and what did Jonas have to show for it?
Edward walked toward Ailis, his leering gaze ever on her. “And who is this delectable morsel?”
Jonas cursed under his breath.
Ailis looked incredibly lovely with her hair in a loose braid that fell below her hips, not to mention she did look delectable wrapped in his too-big robe.
Her eyes widened and she gazed at Jonas in alarm.
He made matters worse by placing his arm around her waist and drawing her closer to him, but how else was he to convey that she washisto protect and his brother was not to touch her?
As for Edward, he was enjoying Jonas’s discomfort immensely. “Ah, but I now understand why you did not want us coming here. Seems you are already having your own private party. Will you introduce me to this charming gift so temptingly wrapped inyourrobe?”
Jonas growled. “Not another word, you dolt.”
Ailis looked like she wanted to bury herself under a mountain of snow.
He knew there was no help for it but to explain the situation to his brother. “Miss Temple, this is my wayward brother, Edward, the current Lord Langford. Edward, I suggest you apologize to Miss Temple immediately. She is the vicar’s niece and here only because she fell off her horse while paying a call on me on behalf of the vicar. She has dislocated her shoulder and suffered a mild concussion, as you might have noticed had you not been too busy ogling her.”
His brother, now noticing her arm was in a sling and her forehead had the lingering traces of a bruise, had the good grace to look embarrassed. “Do forgive me, Miss Temple. It’s just that I never expected to find any young lady ensconced in my brother’s bedchamber, especially one as beautiful as you, and wearing his… Well, do forgive my mistake.”
She nodded, trying to remain poised, but her embarrassment was obvious to both brothers, since her cheeks were ablaze. “Your Grace, you and your brother must have much to catch up on. Jane will return with my milk in a moment, and she can assist me with my breakfast. I do not mind eating alone.”
“Nonsense,” Edward blurted. “I shall join you both. I am fascinated to learn more about you, Miss Temple.”
“Oh, I think you shall find me eminently forgettable.”
He glanced at Jonas and cast him another irritating grin. “I doubt that. Let me see where Mrs. Fitch has put me for the duration of my stay. I’ll wash up and join you in two shakes of a lamb’s tail.”
“Let me escort you out.” Jonas wanted to box his brother’s ears for the smirks he was tossing at Ailis. He grabbed his brother firmly by the elbow and dragged him down the hall toward the room farthest from his own quarters.
No one would get near Ailis tonight buthim.
Oafish? Yes.
Possessive? Without question.
