“For so long, we only had each other. That created a bond most siblings don’t have. When Travis came along, I had a hard time letting Cassie go. I was a thorn in his side until we finally became friends.”
Ella hid a smile behind her hand. “You played the protective older brother?”
“I might have earned my reputation for being a bear during that time.”
Cassie returned with a carafe of coffee. “That he did. Drove me crazy, until I realized why he was doing it.” She ruffled Cody’s hair. “It was his way of showing he wanted what was best for me.”
He ducked. Running a hand through his blond waves, he tried to push them back into place.
Ella smiled as a stray lock curled over his forehead. “You’ve got one more.” Without thought, she reached out and set it into place. Cody went still at her touch. Their eyes locked. For a few beats of her heart, the two of them were the only ones in the room.
When Cassie cleared her throat, they both jerked. She looked between them, an amused smile on her face. “Don’t mind me. I’ll just head back to the kitchen and let you enjoy your alone time.”
Cody’s face looked a little flushed. “It seems Miss Hattie isn’t the only one playing matchmaker.”
Maybe it was the setting or the fact that they were on a date, but Ella felt a surge of courage. “Does that bother you?”
He blinked. “No. Why?”
She lifted one shoulder. “Just curious. Some people get annoyed when others meddle in their personal business.”
“Ah.” He regarded her for a moment. “Like Howard?”
Ella nodded. “Howard, my parents…most people I’ve known, to be honest.”
“Normally, I probably would be annoyed. But I know my sister and Miss Hattie want to see me happy. They’ve told me that often enough. This is their way of helping that along.” He leaned forward. “They want you to be happy too.”
“It’s nice to have people on our side.” Ella let out a small breath. “I’m all too used to backstabbing and silly politics. Besides my sister, there’s been no one who really cared for me. It’s all about image. Nothing else matters. That’s part of the reason my father was so angry when he came. He hated that my disappearance caused a scandal for the family.”
Cody frowned. “Scandal? Why is that scandalous?”
“Wealthy heiress runs away in the middle of the night, leaving her fiancé and family without a word.” She shook her head. “The society papers probably had a heyday with that.”
“Don’t they realize it’s people’s lives they’re reporting on? Sounds like gossip to me.”
“It’s all gossip. Some members of society thrive on the perceived fame. I hated it.”
A little smile spread over his face. “That doesn’t surprise me. You don’t strike me as an attention seeker.”
She shuddered. “I’ll happily stay out of it.”
Cassie arrived with plates of steaming food. She set it before them with a flourish. “Enjoy! If you need anything, let me know. And make sure you come say goodbye before leaving.”
“We will.” Cody gave her a one-armed hug. “Thanks, Cass.”
“Anytime.”
After she left, Cody reached out his hands to Ella. She took them and closed her eyes while he blessed the food. They enjoyed their first few bites without talking, the tangy flavors of beef, gravy, and potatoes bursting on Ella’s tongue. “Cassie’s food is amazing.”
Cody nodded his agreement. He studied her for a few moments, then suddenly put down his spoon. “Ella…”
The door opened. Her gaze flitted up. Her own spoon clattered to the table, a horrified gasp on her lips.
Cody looked at her in concern before glancing over his shoulder. He turned back to her. “What is it?”
“That man. I know him.”
The well-dressed Bostonian spotted her. He moved around tables in fluid, practiced motions until stopping at their table. “Miss Mountbatten.”
