The Duke of Crossings turned to his companion. “I must say, Northwoods. These two will be the talk of the Season, eh?” Sarcasm dripped from his tongue.
But wait…Northwoods?
Could this truly be the man who intended to court her sweet, innocent sister? Surely not. Melanie’s stomach twisted.
But how many Earls of Northwoods could there be?
She forced herself to study him more closely. She’d been certain they’d never met, but as she watched him now, his manner struck a faint, disquieting chord.
“Er, quite, Your Grace,” the earl replied, suddenly absorbed in the flowing mane of his horse and looking just as reluctant to be part of this exchange as Malum was.
Perhaps even more so.
And for that reason, every bit of Melanie’s attention sharpened. Northwoods’ horse’s hooves danced in agitation, and although he must know who she was, he didn’t say anything about Josie. Surely, it was only natural that he would mention the connection.
Why wouldn’t he meet her eyes?
“I believe you called on my sister this morning.” Melanie’s words immediately captured the attention of everyone present.
Crossings’ expression faltered, surprise flickering before morphing into something closer to irritation. He cast a sharp glance at Northwoods, whose horse sidestepped uneasily, the man fumbling to maintain control.
“She speaks…” Crossings said, eyes narrowed. “Did you hear that, Northwoods?” Apparently both men had been aware of her… difficulties.
“She asked a question.” Malum’s voice was flat but insistent.
Northwoods sent her a forced smile. “Your sister… Ah, yes. Believe I did. Lovely young woman. Quite charming.”
Again, Melanie felt an inkling of recognition. Perhaps they’d never been introduced, but, she supposed, she could easily have seen him at any of the events she’d attended.
“She is,” Melanie said.
“Three daughters and two sons, weren’t there?” Crossings drawled, his cold stare fixed on Melanie. “Before that mysterious fire, anyway. Tragic business. But that’s all in the past, now, isn’t it.” He paused, obviously savoring her discomfort. “By the way, how is my darling daughter? Naughty girl, never makes time for her father.” He chuckled, a hollow sound that felt more like a private joke than a question.
Goldie, Melanie knew, hadn’t so much ignored her father as she’d been cut off from him. And, for a while, forbidden to make contact with her mother. After marrying Reed, she’d essentially been disowned.
But Crossings wasn’t finished… “We’re practically family now, aren’t we, my lady?”
At that, Malum reached the limits of his patience. Without waiting for the two men to move aside, he clicked his tongue and flicked the reins, urging the horses forward with unflinching purpose. The curricle lurched ahead, forcing Crossings and Northwoods to pull their mounts aside or risk being run down.
As they broke past the two men, Melanie stole a glance over her shoulder. Northwoods seemed rattled, but Crossings was staring after them. The look on his face was cool amusement, but his eyes looked almost black.
Swinging to face forward again, Melanie felt like she’d looked into the eyes of the devil himself.
And then just as quickly dismissed the thought as overly dramatic. It had been an eventful day. She was tired.
She exhaled a shaky breath and then swallowed hard.
Malum had not looked back but kept his gaze fixed straight ahead as he guided the curricle away.
“What was all that about?” Yes, there was bad blood between Crossings and her brother, because of Reed and Goldie’s hasty marriage. But she’d sensed a true enmity between Malum and Crossings.
“Nothing important.”
“He was friends with your father.”
“Yes.”
“You wouldn’t abandon theDomus, would you?” she pressed, because, ever since he’d proposed, she had to admit, if only to herself, that she had wondered…
