“Pray forgive me, Cambridge, I had not realized how close you were.”
“Nice one.” Dev applauded. “He threw ice water at me before when we were bobbing for apples for my part in the headwear. James is coming along nicely; one day he’ll be able to compete with the Sinclair siblings in all aspects of life.”
“I doubt anyone can quite compete with you,” Kate added. “You’re ferocious at besting each other.”
“It’s the first thing we learned,” Dev declared. “Hello, Simon, is all good with you?”
The boy had wedged himself in front of Dev. He was the duke and duchess’s youngest child.
“Uncle Dev, girls are annoying.” The boy sighed. Dev patted his shoulder.
“I understand completely, nephew, say no more.”
“I feel I should protest.”
“You’re all right, Kate.”
“Thank you, Simon,” she said solemnly.
Kate wondered what it would be like to grow up with so many adults at your back that you only had to turn left or right and someone would support you. Quite wonderful, she thought, looking at Rory. She knew he’d had no one.
“The winner is this one,” James said, holding up a plate. “Please come up here and accept your prize.”
“Now if that don’t beat all,” the elderly man to her right sucking on his pipe said. “What’s the world coming to when a man wins the plum pudding contest.”
Kate watched Josiah Hemple walk up on the stage and accept his medallion.
“Women will be building houses next.”
“As I helped you build ours, George Beddle, I’d say they will, and with a lot less fuss and more skill!”
“He’s coming round,” Dev said.
“Who?”
Dev’s smile was only small.
“Rory. When exposed to the full onslaught of the Sinclairs and Ravens, a man can only stand apart for so long before we break him down.”
“He will return to France.” Kate hated the lance of pain that thought gave her. But he had not asked for her love, and she’d not given it openly, so he could leave and know nothing of what lay in her heart.
“Maybe, but then maybe not.”
“Which maybe do you believe he will take?”
“Depends, I suppose, on what reason would make him stay.”
“Max and this.” She waved her hand about as Cam choked on a piece of cake. James smacked him hard enough on the back to make Kate wince.
“You’ll have to convince him there’s more reason than just that.”
“Pardon?” She looked at her eldest cousin. Big, quiet, Dev was for the most part the observer of the family. His eyes constantly checked all was well and if he was needed anywhere. Wolf was like him in so many ways.
“I see you watching him.”
“I found him bound and gagged with a bullet hole in his shoulder. Not to mention, he was about to drown on the incoming tide. Of course I watch him.” Kate kept her voice calm.
“That must be it then.”
