He was used to others wanting to make his acquaintance.In social situations, he was usually the one who could do no wrong.And, technically, in meeting Beatrice’s family, this usual state of affairs should remain unchanged.
However, hedidfeel the difference.He wanted her family to like him.And he suspected that they wouldn’t be without their suspicions as to his real relationship with their daughter and sister.
Beatrice led him through the entrance.
“We have a very limited staff,” she said to him in a low voice.“We have to prioritize hiring men to work the fields.We only have two manservants and a few maids.Just enough to run the house and see to my mother’s comfort.”
He nodded.
“This way.They’ll be waiting for us.”
He wagered that it was around midnight, so he was surprised by these words.He had imagined he would meet her family in the morning.
But she led him through a door and he saw that she was right.
The room, a drawing room, was full of people.
“Beatrice!”
A boy with bright red hair and freckles sprang up from his seat and hugged Beatrice.
“Phil.”She smiled, as she embraced him.He realized that this young fellow must be her youngest brother.
He looked around the room, trying to place its other inhabitants.
A very pretty, very genteel-looking woman of about forty-five sat on the sofa.Leith understood immediately upon seeing her why Beatrice had been so alarmed since she received word about Mr.Gordstone’s arrival.Mrs.Salisbury had very evidentially given Beatrice her beauty.But, more than that, she had a quality that her daughter had, too.She was not merely a beauty but had a singularity in her air and demeanor.In short, she had a countenance that a man wouldn’t soon forget.
She rose and glided towards him.
“My lord,” she said, “I only received word this evening that you would be traveling with my daughter.I am so grateful for your attention towards our family.I am not sure how we will ever be able to repay you.”
His throat constricted uncomfortably at her kind words.
“No thanks is necessary.Lord Montaigne asked for my help in this matter and I was happy to oblige.I am delighted to be of service.”
Mrs.Salisbury’s smile in response to this mistruth was kindness itself.
But Leith quickly saw that another inhabitant of the room appeared far less convinced—and far less welcoming.
A young man standing near the entryway had a scowl on his face.He was dressed not as a gentleman would be, but in the clothing of a laborer.He was tall and powerfully built, as if he spent long days doing strenuous work.Nevertheless, he appeared to have the natural bearing of a man of importance and substance.Some men, Leith knew, had that bearing due to the advantages of their birth—and others had it despite their station in life.This man appeared to be the latter.
Leith had a suspicion of who this brother must be.But he realized that he could not address the man, because he did not know his surname.It was unlikely, he realized, to be Salisbury.
Luckily, Beatrice seemed to notice her brother’s glower.
“Lord Leith, this is my brother, Mr.Malcolm Brown,” she said, her manner very matter-of-fact, and only the very slightest strain in her voice suggested that she expected resistance from this corner.
This brother had hair much longer than acceptable in London, Leith realized, and tied into a queue.He was doubtlessly what women would call handsome, although he was much too rough for fashion.
Malcolm nodded.“My lord.I am pleased to meet you.It is not often I meet such a Good Samaritan.A man who is willing to travel one hundred and fifty miles of indifferent road to merely do a favor for a friend is rare indeed.”
Her brother’s gaze slid to Beatrice and then back to him.His implication could not be clearer, as far as Leith was concerned.
“Lord Leith is exceptionally kind,” Beatrice said, warning in her voice.
“Yes, do not mind Malcolm,” said a voice from a settee on the other side of the room.“We are all of us unused to strangers, but Malcolm is the least sociable of us all.”
Leith turned and realized that two youths were seated on the settee.With their sharp facial features, dark hair, and mischievous brown eyes, they were very clearly brothers and around the same age.
