Heavy footsteps sounded on the floor, followed by a squeal of joy. ‘Tobis!’
No one greeted his older brother in such a delighted way, or was allowed to call him by this shortened version. While Christopher called Edward, Teddy, all the time, he would never call Tobias, Tobis. Not known for being demonstrative or loquacious, Tobias held himself aloof from his brothers, only managing to show affection to Charlotte, their collective ward. Even then, there was only a lightening of his demeanour in her presence, a slight softening of his eyes and the merest hint of a smile when she did something funny.Despite this, Tobias appeared to be his niece’s favourite uncle, which, as Christopher was currently squashed under a chaise longue all in the name of keeping her entertained, seemed unfair.
From his prone position, Christopher could not make out whether Tobias and Charlotte were having a conversation, although he could hear her quiet giggles, so something must be going on. Deciding that he, and the game he’d been playing, had been summarily forgotten, he began to climb out from his hiding place.
He managed to work his torso out from beneath the chaise longue with very little difficulty, but before he could get all the way free, his foot became wedged and no amount of wiggling it back and forth released it.
Those heavy footsteps sounded again, this time making their way over to him. They came slowly enough that he had time to think about whether it was worse for Tobias to find him in this ridiculous position or one of his other brothers. Upon reflection, none were good. Edward and Freddie would find it hilarious and go on about it forever, but there was something about the indignity of being prone on the floor that Christopher would have preferred the duke not to see. He closed his eyes, unsure why he was doing so but somehow thinking it would be easier to avoid being embarrassed if he couldn’t see Tobias’ expression.
Charlotte gasped. ‘Kissyfur is stuck.’
And there it was; the muddled version of his name he was trying hard to avoid anyone hearing. Thank goodness it wasn’t Freddie or Edward who had heard it. Christopher would not ever, not in this lifetime or the next, allow himself to be called Kissyfur. But at least Tobias was sensible. He would not go around telling everyone that name. There would be no teasing glint in his eye, no smirk that hinted at future torture. Christopher opened his eyes and found that his guesswas true. Tobias was carrying their niece and the two of them were looking down at him, Charlotte with open-mouthed panic, Tobias with no expression at all.
Charlotte scrambled down from her perch. ‘Kissyfur, are you hurt? Do you need it kissing better?’
Damnation, but she was adorable.
‘It is only my foot, Lotte. I shall be out in no time.’
Charlotte stepped back, giving him space to prove his words. Smiling encouragingly at her, he attempted to slide his foot around whatever was blocking his way. The chaise longue shuddered with the move but nothing happened.
‘Oh no,’ exclaimed Charlotte, running to the back of the chaise longue as though to find what was causing the problem.
Tobias crossed his arms as if he had all the time in the world to watch his brother squirm about on the floor, which couldn’t be true, because running the dukedom took up most of the hours of his day.
‘It is fine. Do not worry, Lotte.’ The last thing any of them wanted was for Charlotte to start crying. Not just because they did not like to see her upset but also because it hurt them. Seeing Charlotte distressed was worse than a right hook in the boxing ring. Or at least it was for him, Edward and Freddie. Tobias always bore it with his usual stoicism, and Edward and Freddie’s wives were much more practical over the whole matter.
He shifted around again, this time banging his knee and biting his lip hard to stop a swear word from bursting out. ‘Some assistance would be useful, if it is not too much trouble.’
Tobias raised an eyebrow.
‘Perhaps your ducal hands could be put to use in lifting the chaise longue.’
‘You said you were fine.’ From his tone, Christopher could not work out if his brother was teasing him or not.
‘I amfine, but I would also prefer not to be lying on the floor having this conversation.’ Not that theyweretalking but he rather thought his brother had been seeking him out. It was unusual for him to be in this part of Glanmore House at this time of day. He was normally holed up in his office.
‘Very well.’ Tobias disappeared from sight and the chaise longue was lifted.
‘Tobis so strong.’
Normally Christopher would jump in at that point and repeat the sentence, adding the missingis, because that’s what Edward’s wife had told them all to do to strengthen Charlotte’s speech, but he was not going to add insult to injury by complimenting his brother. Besides, it was not as if the chaise longue was particularly heavy. If he wasn’t stuck on the floor, Christopher would surely have been able to lift it with as much ease.
Tobias didn’t correct her either. Possibly, hopefully, because he had already used up his allocated words for the day.
Scrambling to his feet, Christopher straightened out his clothes and smoothed down his hair. There was something about Tobias that made you want to present yourself tidily. In the short time that he’d lived with his brother as an adult, he didn’t feel he was any closer in getting to know the man. Most days he didn’t give it any thought, but he briefly wondered if his older brother was lonely.
‘We need to discuss your engagement,’ said Tobias and all thoughts on getting to know him better flew out of Christopher’s mind.
He hadn’t discussed with anyone other than Sophia herself that the engagement was false. If she wasn’t telling her sisters, then he felthe shouldn’t tell his brothers, although he rather thought they would keep the secret, especially Tobias, who didn’t talk to anyone anyway.
Adjusting the cuffs of his shirt, he tried to come up with a reply that would show interest in the idea of talking about it at some point in the future but not right now. ‘I am to see Miss Jacobs shortly.’
Tobias didn’t answer that, which was not surprising as it was not a question or indeed anything to do with the engagement itself.
‘We are to go to Gunter’s for an ice.’ Still nothing. Surely a normal human would at least make a sound of interest. He tried again. ‘I have never had an ice.’
That last statement caused the flicker of an eyebrow, but it could have been Christopher’s imagination.
