“Nathan, you will not let that woman see you looking anything but controlled, with your usual veneer of cynicism in place.” His sister appeared, elbowing Michael to the side so she could look up at him. “Look at me.”
He did, focusing on her pretty face. The face so familiar, it settled him. His little sister whom he loved was staring at him with a fierce expression of loyalty.
Six months ago she’d given him and his brothers a nephew she and Daniel named Tobias. They called him Toby, and Nathan loved him fiercely. He’d like to hold that warm, soft body close about now.
“I’m all right, Abby.” He hauled in a deep breath. “I was merely surprised to see her.”
Her hand grabbed his, gripping it hard. “We are here, brother.”
He nodded. “It is all right.”
“If someone would enlighten me as to whom I should loathe, I would be grateful,” Forrest said. “I am having enough trouble navigating society’s treacherous waters without speaking to someone I should not.”
“I will fill you in, cousin,” Zach said.
“Thank you.” Nathan looked at the faces around him. “All of you,” he acknowledged Abby’s husband, Daniel Dillinger, and Dimity—now part of their family group.
“Abby told me about her—Miss Carlow,” Dimity said out the side of her mouth, “and any woman who would walk away from you without a backward glance is, to my mind, unbalanced.”
This forced a laugh from Nathan.
“You’re handsome, and had your brother not trapped me into marriage, you were next on my list.”
Gabe rolled his eyes. “Please, they all know the reverse is true. You hunted me down, poor helpless man that I am.”
“Excuse me. You are blocking the stairs, and I wish to make an entrance.”
The Deville party turned to face the man behind them. Lord Plunge. One of society’s biggest fools. He wore a lavender jacket and breeches, and his hair was arranged in a style known only to him, long on the sides and curling on top of his head. Zach had commented once that it looked like a turd.
“I don’t think you need an introduction. Wearing that ensemble, no one will be in doubt who you are, Plunge,” Gabe said.
Lord Plunge preened. “It is quite something, is it not, Raine?”
“It’s definitely something,” Michael muttered, moving to one side so the lavender-wearing peer could make his entrance before the Deville party.
“Ready?” Gabe asked Nathan.
“Yes, I will be fine now.”
Why was she here? What had brought the woman who had broken Nathan’s heart back to London for the season? He wanted to look at her again but kept his eyes forward. She was nothing to him now.Nothing!
“The Earl of Raine.”
Nathan listened as they were announced and knew Miss Bethany Carlow—he had to remember to think of her that way now—would have heard he was in the room.
Why is she here after three years out of society?
“Smile.”
He did as Michael said. He and Zach flanked him, their arms brushing his to let him know they were close. He’d always known they had his back, for all they fought like a pack of rabid dogs sometimes, but right now, he had never been more grateful to have his large, exuberant siblings at his side.
They gave him strength.
“She is to the left,” Zach said.
“Go right then,” Michael whispered.
Nathan took a step forward and out of their ranks before they could stop him.
