“Yes. Mother’s going to be upset,” Kellan said, clenching his jaw. “I don’t understand it.”
Caspian didn’t, either, but Gideon’s disappearances had been happening more and more often. Whatever the reason, his brother’s situation was getting worse, and they needed to figure it out.
A door opened upstairs, and they turned to watch the stairs. Lord Rendon slipped out of his study and joined them.
Caspian could hear his heartbeat as they heard footsteps coming toward them.
He’d barely seen Sophia since yesterday when she found out that he was actually Lord Caspian Rendon. Even now, a full twenty-four hours later, it still seemed unbelievable to him that she hadn’t known who he was.
She had to know he hadn’t kept his identity secret on purpose.
He would never lie to her like that.
Liliana appeared at the top of the stairs, smiling the biggest grin Caspian had ever seen on her face. Her long golden hair was done up and she was wearing a beautiful, pale pink dress. She swished her skirts back and forth as she descended the staircase.
Surely this wasn’t his baby sister?
His whole world had changed eight years ago when a tiny pink bundle had been placed into his arms.
Apparently, it was going to change again.
She was growing up, and he’d missed the past two years of it.
There was a lump in his throat as his sister reached the bottom of the stairs, her gaze flitting between the three men waiting.
“Do you like it?” she asked shyly, looking down at her dress.
“Absolutely,” their father said, and Liliana threw herself at him for a hug. “The most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen.”
“I agree,” Caspian said as she made her way to him. He leaned over and gave her a kiss on the top of her head.
“Absolutely gorgeous,” their eldest brother said, reaching over to offer his arm. He would be escorting Liliana to the festival.
More footsteps. They all looked up as Lady Rendon appeared at the head of the stairs wearing a dark green dress. Lord Rendon stared at his wife with such pride and love, it made Caspian almost embarrassed. “There’s my beautiful bride,” his father said with delight. “The most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
Lady Rendon glowed with happiness as she descended the stairs to her husband, who gave her a kiss when she reached him.
A very long and improper kiss.
Too long and too improper.
Caspian turned away after a moment to give them some privacy before he died of embarrassment.
But then there was another set of footsteps and Caspian turned to see Sophia begin to descend the stairs.
His heart stopped beating for a moment.
She was a vision.
She wore a gorgeous dark red dress, almost crimson, which set off her long, dark hair. It had been arranged in an elegant hairstyle, similar to the ones he’d seen on debutantes and noble ladies in Riyel.
But she was more beautiful than any debutante he’d ever seen.
His jaw dropped and he couldn’t quite manage to pick it back up. He was sure his family was staring at him, but he couldn’t be bothered. He sprang up the staircase and met her halfway, unable to wait for her to reach the bottom.
“You look stunning,” he said as he offered his arm and was rewarded with a smile as bright as the sun.
“Thank you,” she said. “I feel beautiful.”
