“Thought the auld bat was going to faint when one of those guards drew his weapon. Good on ye for taking him down with such grace,” Tam ribbed his twin who took the praise as if it were his due.
“Who is she anyway?” Tam asked.
“Harry’s stepmother,” Connor told them, enjoying their collective grimace even in his surly mood.
“Puir lad,” Ian sighed dramatically with a hand over his heart. “I may be experiencing a morsel of remorse for that beating now.”
“I dinnae. He got what he deserved,” Tam retorted. “What’s she doing here while he’s away? Blossom willnae like it.”
“Forget her.” Ian dismissed the obvious opportunity to upbraid Connor in favor of the more serious matter at hand. “Ye’ve got the likes of Rutledge in yer drawing room. How did that happen?”
“About that.” Connor paused in front of his bedchamber door, the solemnity of the circumstances descending. “That sister none of us kent?”
“Aye?”
Connor opened the door and motioned for them to follow him inside. Piper sat at a small table loaded with food across from Temple. Her fork clattered to her plate when she saw him, the joy in her eyes humbling.
Hurrying to him, she threw her arms around his neck. “How was it? Is he…? Did you…?”
“He lives,” he assured her.
“He hasn’t left then?”
A harsh chuckle passed his lips. “I have nae authority to evict him. The extent of my command here is limited to management of the farm, otherwise I’m nae more than a guest in this house. He kens it, though I thought to bluff him.”
“Perhaps the constable…?”
“The constable wouldnae dare counteract the word of the Duke of Rutledge,” he told her. “Bugger it all, if I could put a fright into the man, the duke would eat him alive.”
“Lord Temple?”
Connor jerked his chin to waylay his friend’s protest. “Temple wouldnae appreciate being plucked from the shadows for such an undertaking. Nay, the easiest way to circumvent the duke’s efforts will be to aid in his plans. I told Rutledge I would assist in his search for ye.”
Piper gaped at him. “I beg your pardon?”
Temple nodded with a slight smile. “Well-played. That must have surprised him.”
“Hopefully enough to buy us some time.” He brushed his knuckles along Piper’s cheek. “He’ll no’ find ye, lass. I promise ye that. If he does, my preferred option remains.”
“Excuse us?” Ian nudged his way between them. “The duke can go bugger himself, but I’d love an introduction to this fair lass.”
“Aye, as would I,” Tam agreed, shouldering his way in front of his twin.
Connor pursed his lips and gestured to the pair. “Piper, may I introduce two of my brothers, Tam and Ian MacKintosh. Lads, this is Harry’s sister, Piper Brudenall.”
Her bright, bonny smile was forced. Even so, she managed to stupefy them more than her presence already had. Both gawped at her as if it had been a month since they’d seen a lovely woman, when most likely, it had been less than a day.
Then again, that smile stole Connor’s breath as well. Each time it hit him with the same gale force it had from the first. Stole his breath and left him a tad shoogly in his boots.
Within moments of their teasing and effusive greetings, that smile became more genuine and she visibly relaxed.
“I knew it! Simply knew it!” She beamed at the pair, her dimple flashing. “When I first met Connor, I was certain he must have a ginger or two in his family. My goodness, look at you!”
She took their hands, ascertaining which was Tam and which was Ian when most of the family had long since given up the sport. The pair took more delight in presenting themselves as the other than owning their own name.
As he watched her beguile them with ease, Connor decided it was perhaps best Piper never had a Season. She would have done the same to every man in London and left a trail of broken hearts behind her.
Piper smiled at Connor’s brothers, one hand in each of theirs. It was the first time in years she could recall meeting anyone without being overcome by suspicion. Even though Lord Temple had won her over during the past hour, she’d been wary of his sudden appearance. Now, for the first time in a long while, she was able to enjoy a new acquaintance.
