The earl chuckled. “I will keep mum on the particulars then. Please know that I would be your partner. You can rely on me.”
Allie believed him.
After everything, how could Kendall have been right?
Lord Charswooddidappear to be a good man.
“I do not require your answer immediately, Lady Allegra,” Charswood continued. “I want you to spend time considering my offer. With your permission, I should like to arrange for you and Kendall to visit my primary estate in Derbyshire. Perhaps in six weeks’ time? I think it would be beneficial for you to see my lands and estate for yourself. It could be your home as well, you see.” He turned in his saddle to look at her. “And then, after you have seen all and pondered how our life would be together, you could give me your answer.”
Ethan paced hisroom.
A restless creative energy had awakened him with the rising sun. But then he had sat at the wee desk in his room—pen at the ready, words scarce—staring unseeing over the slowly brightening landscape.
Finally, he stood and began walking the floor of his room.
The previous day had been a blur of greeting old friends and making new acquaintances. A familiar sort of dance.
Lady Isolde had certainly grown into a beauty during her time abroad. They spoke of everything and nothing, bickering and laughing in equal measure like siblings.
And then there had been his actual siblings, Malcolm and Leah.
Malcolm urged Ethan to delay returning to London after the house party and spend some time at Thistle Muir.
“Viola may be entering her confinement, but she would welcome your company,” his brother had said as the three of them sat in Ethan’s room.
Personally, Ethan wondered if it was more Malcolm himself who wished for Ethan’s presence. His brother’s first wife had died in childbirth. And though he attempted to hide it behind gruff stoicism, Malcolm was terrified of Viola’s rapidly approaching delivery. He likely wanted the support of Ethan’s presence.
As if to confirm Ethan’s suspicions, Malcolm had added, “It will be like old times, yourself and I.”
Leah had grinned. “You both intend tae tear holes in your trousers and steal warm shortbread then? Those old times?”
Malcolm had rolled his eyes. “I was thinking more along the lines of throwing stones or perhaps fishing.”
Ethan had readily agreed. Hopefully, Uncle Leith wouldn’t be too apoplectic over Ethan remaining another pair of weeks in Scotland.
Naturally, he had also told both his siblingsallthe details about his past and present with Lady Allegra Gilbert.
“Ye had tae go and set your sights on Kendall’s twin sister,” Leah had said, shaking her head.
Malcolm snorted, “Ye have never been one tae do anything by halves.”
“Trust ye tae chase after one of the most unattainable ladies in Britain,” Leah agreed.
“I am scarcely chasing after Lady Allegra,” Ethan replied. “We are friends and nothing more.”
Both Malcolm and Leah laughed at that suggestion.
“Aye, keep telling yourself that lie,” Malcolm scoffed. “Ye practically vibrate with excitement when ye speak of her. A lass that inspires such a reaction is no mere friend.”
Leah nodded, “But please be careful. Kendall will have your head if ye do anything untoward.”
Wasn’t that the truth?
Ethan was eager to at least introduce his siblings to Allie, but she remained scarce.
He had caught a glimpse of her down the table during dinner the evening before, but when he arrived in the drawing-room with the other gentlemen, she was already ensconced with Lady Whipple and others.
Even worse, she had refused to meet his gaze.
