She’s safe.He reminded himself.
It was either that or she was plotting his demise in her chamber.
“Sounds like her,” he murmured.
Dominic sighed, the sound half fond, half exasperated. “She has always been like that. Even as a girl, any time the house got too loud or too full of people, she’d vanish into the library or the attic with whatever book she could carry. Mother used to say she was born with her nose already stuck in a book.”
Austin’s smile deepened. “And you used to go looking for her.”
“Every time.” Dominic shook his head, true fondness creeping into his voice.
Austin chuckled softly.
Dominic gave him a sideways look. “You’ve noticed that too, have you?”
“I notice everything,” Austin said lightly, lifting his glass in a small, self-deprecating toast. “It’s a curse.”
Dominic laughed under his breath. “You’re a menace, you know that? Always have been. But she’s worse. Stubborn as a mule and twice as clever. I swear, half the time I think she argues with me just to keep her mind sharp.”
“She probably does,” Austin agreed, eyes drifting back towards the empty doorway. “And wins every time.”
“Almostevery time,” Dominic corrected with a grin. “I still have a few victories. Though fewer since she came back from Paris. She’s… sharper now. More guarded. But still my little sister.” His voice softened. “Still, the girl who’d rather read about adventures than live them. Until someone makes her want to live them.”
Austin felt the words settle somewhere deep. He did not respond. It was unnecessary.
Dominic studied him for a moment longer, then sighed again, this time with genuine affection. “She is impossible, my sister. Brilliant, difficult, loyal … and completely oblivious to how many hearts she could break if she ever decided to try.”
Austin’s fingers tightened around his glass. “She doesn’t break hearts,” he said quietly. “She just… doesn’t notice them at all.”
Dominic raised a brow. “You’re right about that.”
Austin thought about his promise to help her find a husband, but he was starting to think that that would be impossible.
Dominic’s voice dropped conspiringly. “Speaking of the devil, we know …Deena was asking about you earlier.”
“Me?” Austin feigned surprise, but his interest piqued. “What did she want to know?”
Dominic looked around them before he whispered, “She was asking about your title.”
Austin stilled. “Was she, now?”
His words came out casual, but inside, something tightened. The gossip had finally reached Greystone estate and fallen into the wrong hands. He imagined this was the reason she called him a liar.
What am I to do?
Dominic shrugged. “She must have heard the whispers, and she wanted to know if there was truth in them.”
Austin took a slow sip of wine. “And what did you tell her?”
“The truth.” Dominic met his eyes steadily. “That there are murmurs. Nothing certain. No proof. But enough to make certain people… curious.”
Austin’s jaw tightened. “Curious is one word for it.”
Dominic leaned closer. “She’s worried, Austin. For you.”
The admission struck Austin in a peculiar way, but Dominic must have misread Deena’s feelings. She was worried about herself and her friend. He felt betrayed already.
Is Dee worried or plotting my downfall?
