Odd given their sizeable presence. Taller than Connor, who was at least a few inches over six feet, they both had to be six-and-a-half-feet tall. Whereas Connor was well-muscled yet lean, the twins were broad and thick with muscle. By rights, Piper should have shied away from them. However, they were divinely handsome in a dramatic fashion, with their dark auburn hair and vivid blue eyes. And affable, with broad smiles on their identical faces, she couldn’t find it in herself to summon an ounce of fear.
Because they were Connor’s kin. He’d brought them to meet her, therefore they were harmless. It was as simple as that.
“Och, I’m fair puckled at the sight of such a bonny lass,” Ian drawled with a waggle of his brows. “Nae wonder Harry never mentioned ye.”
Her happiness wavered. Had Harry truly never mentioned her?
Tam nodded, kissing her hand. “Aye, he’d cry foul now if he kent a heap of MacKintosh bachelors were falling at yer feet.”
The way they jockeyed to gain a position by her side and joked, piling one quip or outrageous compliment on top of the other, set her at ease. It was nice to enjoy a moment of high spirits after waiting on pins and needles wondering what was happening below.
Laughter bubbled up in Piper. “Such sweet talk! You two must set all the ladies aflutter. Why, my friend Miss Jane Langston would positively swoon at such flattery.”
“If she’s as bonny a lass as ye, I’ll prostrate myself at her feet,” Tam solemnly swore, hand over his heart.
“Nay,” Ian retorted. “There can be nae lass as bonny as ye, m’lady. How’s it possible wi’ yer brother being such a hackit jimmy?”
Piper couldn’t help but chuckle at their exaggerated blandishment. “Oh, no! I recall many of my friends gushing over Harry’s good looks. Though, he cannot hold a candle to you two.” She considered one of them, then the other with a playful frown. “I swear, I cannot decide which of you is more handsome.”
“I am,” they both answered.
“You’re absolutely right.” They all laughed.
Tam addressed Temple with faux surprise. “Temple, I dinnae see ye there.”
“I’m all but invisible when there’s a beautiful woman in the room,” the agent agreed and shook hands with the pair before bowing out of the way.
Clearly, he knew better than to get between them and a meal. At least they were gentlemen enough to see Piper seated before they sat down to tuck into the remainder of the food she and the agent had gathered from the kitchen.
“That amount of food exceeds discretion.” Connor winced at Temple, having deduced their departure from the room when he’d specifically asked her not to leave. “Anyone see ye?”
“No one that matters,” the agent assured him. “Have you eaten?”
Connor shook his head. While the near altercation below had served to rouse his brothers’ appetites, his was nonexistent. He had too much on his mind for a meal to rank overmuch.
Not only regarding Rutledge now. He also felt a moment of misgiving for bringing his brothers to meet Piper. The twins were known to be Casanovas, able to charm any lady out of her unmentionables within minutes. Would Piper regret choosing him after meeting them? Or when this was all over and the world was at her feet? He’d come in first in a race of one. It wasn’t as if her circumstances had allowed her a large variety of men to pick from.
The thought left Connor lower than he’d been in months. Back at the bottom of the pack with little to recommend him.
Temple turned to Connor. “All the arrangements are made. Lady Phillipa and I will leave at dawn and make our way to the train station in Aylesbury.”
Piper blinked at the announcement. “Lord Temple and I?” She leapt to her feet and the twins paused their intake to do the same. “Where will you be?”
“I had planned to remain behind to throw Rutledge off the scent.” He held up a hand to stay her protest. “Ye’re safety is all that matters, lass.”
Chapter 26
I hate Rutledge for what I have become. I hate myself for letting him make me feel less than what I am. I would love to have vengeance for it all. I would… oh, now I mock myself as well.
~ from the diary of Piper Brudenall, August 1893
“You need a new mantra.” Piper’s good humor fled, and she mourned the demise of the carefree interlude.
There were more substantial worries to consider. Rutledge was a fearsome man. There was no telling what he would do if Piper fell into his hands. Unfortunately, she could well imagine there would be physical retribution involved.
For all that, it chafed to hide like a hunted fox. Laughable, given that was all she’d ever done. Yet every idea she’d heard on the matter using words like escape, retreat, and safety vexed her all the more. The duke gained another victory with each, when he’d already had so many.
“I’ll not let you stay behind,” she told him.
