“I wish I hadn’t.” Skirts swishing, she marched over to where he stood in the doorway and brandished her embroidery at him. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some matters to attend to.”
“Lady Holly.” He lowered his voice and didn’t step out of the way. “Before you go, I have some questions for you?—”
“Thorn!” His friend Ash’s voice echoed from the great hall.
Theo turned, and Lady Holly took the opportunity to slip past him.
“I owe you no answers,” she said, her tone quiet but fierce.
Then the opportunity for private conversation was gone, as Ash strode up to where they stood, followed by his youngest sibling, Lady Rose.
“Welcome,” Ash said, clapping Theo on the shoulder. “Rose said she saw you come up the drive. How was the ride up from…where did you leave from today?”
“Doncaster,” Theo said. “And it was wet. Sometimes I wish the family estate were closer to London than the wilds of Yorkshire.”
“But the hunting’s better.” Ash grinned at him. “Depending on what game you’re after, that is.”
“Holly,” the young lady said, glancing at her sister. “Whatever are you and Lord Thornton doing, standing about in the hallway?”
Lady Holly blinked twice, so quickly Theo barely caught the motion. “I thought our guest would like a cup of tea beside the fire as soon as he arrived. He looks chilled. I was just about to ring for you.”
“Tea?” Ash shook his head. “I’m sure he’d prefer a brandy in my study. Better way to get warm, too. What say you, Thorn?”
“That seems a superior plan.” Lady Holly inclined her head before Theo could speak. “I’ll leave you gentlemen to it.”
“But…” Rose caught at her sister’s arm as Lady Holly swept past.
The lady nimbly evaded her younger sister’s grasp and continued down the hall without a backward glance.
She was nimble-witted as well, Theo thought, to have such a quick answer for why they’d been caught together. He’d have to be clever about questioning her, or she’d evade him at every opportunity.
“Might I join you for a brandy, as well?” Lady Rose asked, giving her brother a persuasive smile.
“Not a chance,” Ash said cheerfully. “Go see what has your sister in such a temper. Did she keep jabbing herself with her embroidery needle or somesuch? I noted that you two were in that parlor all afternoon.”
“Just working on Christmas surprises,” Rose said. “Although, if you keep being so rude, you’ll get none of them.”
“It’s not rude to keep you from the vice of strong drink,” her brother said. “It’s my duty.”
“Speaking of Christmas,” Theo said, “I plan to go out tomorrow to cut my tree.”
“Lord Thornton, don’t say you’ll be leaving us so soon!” Lady Rose clasped her hands beneath her chin. “Can’t you stay a few days, at least?”
Her brother gave her a quizzical look, but Theo shook his head.
“I’m already later than I’d hoped, and Viola will have my head if I don’t bring a tree for baby Sarah’s first Christmas. Not that the infant will notice, being practically newborn.”
“A baby.” Lady Rose let out a little sigh. “How precious.”
“Spoken like a true youngest child,” Ash said, with a superior air. “You don’t have the memory of a screeching, puling baby sister annoying you at every turn, as I do.”
Theo smothered his laugh, then had to apologize when Lady Rose turned to him, frowning in annoyance.
“Forgive me, Lady Rose—but the two of you remind me a great deal of my own brother and sister.”
“I’m sorry you grew up with a terrible bully for a brother,” she said tartly. “It’s most unpleasant, isn’t it?”
“In our case, the roles are reversed,” Theo said. “Viola is the one who thinks she knows best, and isn’t averse to telling everyone around her what to do.”
