As he walked up the steps to his sister’s townhouse, he rapped on the door. After a moment, the Montrose butler opened it. If Grey didn’t know better he might have thought he looked a bit worse for wear. But trying to manage a household with nine children under the same roof was likely quite an undertaking.
“Lord Somers.” He bowed and moved to the side, giving him more room to enter. “May I take your outerwear?”
As Grey handed over his coat, hat and gloves, he asked, “Where might I find my sister?”
“I believe she is upstairs in her private sitting room with her youngest child, my lord.”
“Very good.” Grey inclined his head and walked to the second floor where his sister’s chamber was located. Although she had her own suite of rooms apart from her husband, it was apparent by their brood of children that they were never far apart for long.
He knocked softly on the door and waited. After a moment, a familiar feminine voice bade him to enter. When he walked inside, he saw Melinda reclining on a chaise and holding a blanket wrapped bundle in her arms, a tuft of downy dark hair peeking over the edge. When she spied him, her eyes lit up, even if her brow furrowed in apparent confusion. “Grey! While I don’t know the reason for this impromptu visit, I daresay I’m glad for it.”
He smiled. There wasn’t a time when Melinda hadn’t been overjoyed to see him, but then, they had always been rather close during their childhood. “I thought it was time I met my latest niece.” She moved her legs, giving him room to sit beside her, which he did.
“I should say so,” she chided gently. “Mary is already two weeks old.”
“Precisely. I didn’t want to rush your recovery time, nor intrude on you and Eli when you are getting acquainted with your latest blessing.”
She looked at him pointedly. “You never intrude, Grey. You’re family.” With that, she handed the baby over to him.
He knew he should be used to holding a baby in his arms by now. After all, he’d held all eight of Melinda’s others before this one, but each time he looked into that small face with that button nose and small cupid’s bow mouth he was struck anew by how delicate new life was. And how very precious.
The child was sleeping, but he couldn’t resist whispering, “Hallo, Mary. I’m your Uncle Grey.”
There was no change to the expression as the baby slept on rather soundly, although she did move slightly as if acknowledging his presence.
“It’s rather late to be calling,” his sister noted. “Not that I’m complaining, but I just assumed you would be out roaming the town with Lord Blakely as usual.”
It was true he hadn’t seen Sebastian for a couple of days, but whenever the subject of matrimony was broached anywhere near his friend, he tended to find a way to hide. “He’s still around, but our pursuits have turned to different matters of late.”
Melinda gasped. “Does this mean that you’ve finally decided to marry?”
Grey chuckled at the hope that laced her voice. “I’ve considered it, yes.”
She clasped her hands together. “I told Eli that you weren’t without redemption!”
Again, he laughed. He was rather certain that what he was feeling for Lady Araminta had nothing to do with that.
“Do you have a special lady in mind?” she prodded.
“I do. However, it’s the attempt of convincing her of the same that I find difficult to surmount.”
She frowned. “That can’t be true. You’re a wealthy earl and as such, quite a catch. Who wouldn’t be eager to become a countess?”
Who, indeed,he thought wryly. “Apparently, that would be Lady Araminta Bevelstroke.”
“Bevelstroke.” She considered the name for a moment, and then her eyes widened slightly. “You don’t mean she’s one of the late Duke of Marlington’s daughters?”
“She is.” His lips twitched. “Although I’m surprised you know of them, as they have only recently arrived in town.”
“Of course I know them. The scandal rags have been full of speculation. Not only that, but they claim they wish to be ‘independent.’” She said the last as if it was quite unthinkable.
“That much is true,” Grey concurred. “It’s been one of the reasons I’ve had some difficulty courting her.”
She eyed him steadily for a moment then said, “You truly care for her, don’t you?”
“I’ve grown fond of her, yes.” That was as far as he was willing to commit when it came to how he felt for Araminta. In truth, he wasn’t sure he could put all of these swirling emotions into words.
She grasped his arm. “Then you mustn’t let her get away. You have to find a way to win her over.”
