Her brother stumbled forward, muttering about his exhaustion. Still, he allowed her to guide him toward the drawing room. I pitied him, for I had experienced the same sort of overwhelming affinity from my family each time I returned from sea. I owed him my gratitude, though. His arrival had put his sister in an amiable temper. Perhaps that would work to my advantage.
Chapter twelve
Annette
Ifilledmybreakfasttray and took a seat at the table next to Jack. Having him home was just the distraction I needed. My siblings and I did not always get along, but I loved them. Now, we were only missing Rowe to complete our family unit, but it would be some time before he returned to Kenwick. Rowe had joined us here after the Season concluded, but urgent estate business had taken him away just before Edward arrived. After inheriting my late uncle’s estate, Rowe had become guardian of my cousins, Amelia and Grace. Since the two of them were now married, I worried about him spending so much time alone. Hopefully, business would not keep him from us much longer, especially with Father’s health.
“Have you spoken with Father yet?” I asked Jack. My relationship with him resembled mine and Russell’s more than it did Rowe’s, but I was glad to see him. He’d been gone for nearly a year, off on an adventure on the continent. I envied him in some ways, but not because he had left England. To have such independence and go wherever he pleased—do whatever he wished? Such was a dream I doubt he fully appreciated.
“Not yet,” he replied after swallowing a bite of ham. “He was asleep when I checked in last evening. I did not wish to disturb him.”
“He would not have minded, you know. He will be glad to see you, just as we all are.”
Jack smiled wryly. “Of course.”
My brother and father had never gotten on particularly well. Whenever Jack was home, they fought more often than not. I hated to see their exchanges and chose not to take sides. Of all my brothers, Jack was certainly the most wild in his behavior. He spent too much time on activities Father did not approve of and sometimes got himself into trouble.
Father complained about the debts his son tended to amass, but I did not think money was the true reason for his frustration. He wanted Jack to be the gentleman he was raised as and build a future for himself. Their goals, so misaligned, led to impassioned arguments that forced a wedge between them. I could understand Father’s desires, but I also understood Jack’s desire to forge his own path and live how he wished.
“Did you enjoy your time abroad?” I asked. “You will tell me of your adventures sometime, won’t you? I’m sure Bridget will demand a full recounting as well.”
I glanced across the table and met my sister’s smiling eyes.
“Demand is an appropriate word,” she said.
At this, Jack laughed. “She has already cornered me twice with her demands. I will have to appease both of you at some point, but I’m afraid at least half of my stories are not suitable for our little sister’s—or your—ears.” He leaned forward, stretching his arm across the table, and tugged at a strand of my hair teasingly. “Perhaps if you were married, I could share more.”
“You know I have no desire to marry.”
He slumped back against his chair. “Still? I thought your first Season might change your mind. No gentleman tempting enough?”
“Not in the least.”
Bridget giggled. “Don’t let her fool you, brother. She spends an awful lot of time with our guest.”
My mouth dropped. “I do not.”
Bridget shrugged. “I predict the two of you will make a match of it before the first snowfall.”
“Hush,” I chided, glancing toward the door. Edward did not typically join us for breakfast, but that did not mean it could not happen. “I have no interest in marrying him.”
Jack smirked. “There’s time. Perhaps he will kiss you senseless and wreck all of your plans.”
Despite my best efforts, my face heated. Jack had no idea how accurate his statement was. Edward had kissed me, and while it may not have changed my mind about marriage, it had unlocked something deep inside me. A yearning that reawakened every time I saw him.
Why could I not rid myself of the desire? Even after evading him for the better part of three days, my heart still lurched each evening when I found him in the drawing room before dinner. Flutters still tickled my stomach when he met my gaze across the table, and each time he attempted to speak with me in that low timbre, I melted as though I were a candle.
“The lieutenant and I will not be participating in anything of the sort,” I said firmly.
“That is a shame.” Bridget sighed. “I bet he is a dreamy kisser.”
Heavens, if she only knew.
“No,” I repeated, my face still far too hot.
“Why not? I bet he’d welcome a kiss from you.” Jack waggled his brows. “He was in the Navy. I’d wager he has loads of experience.”
Did Edward have experience? He kissed as though he had plenty. Not that it mattered to me how many women he’d shared kisses with. “As my brother, should you not be encouraging me to protect my reputation rather than ruin it?”
