Max held out a key, and Dorrie started to laugh, realizing exactly what it was.
“I have secured the house of Mr. and Mrs. Tudor Smythe. They had no wish to stand in the way of our family’s need to live together. It is our present to you and Gus, Somer.”
“More laughter and ridicule to endure from society.” Nicholas sighed. Married to her cousin Alice, he was a marquis.
“It is expected of us to be gossip fodder for society,” Eden said.
“We can’t accept that.” Gus rose.
“He’ll beat you down,” Rory drawled. “Just give in gracefully.”
“I would like to speak now, if Cam can refrain from fainting.”
“I shall try.”
“For so long it was just my brother and I, and then I came to England alone.”
Dorrie knew his brother was Ashford and that he and Gus were no longer close, as something terrible had driven them apart. Somer had said Ashford was a privateer or a pirate, Gus was not sure which. Dorrie had not asked any more questions, as the subject was clearly painful for Gus.
“When I realized what I could be part of, that I was welcome into this warm, wonderful, and eccentric family, I was humbled and extremely grateful.”
Glasses were raised again.
“I love Somer and promise that she will always be happy.”
“But will you?” Warwick teased.
After the speeches they ate and laughed, and she thought that James was right, this family made her feel whole. And perhaps she was losing her sister in a small way, but she had so much and was gaining Gus, even if the day after tomorrow she would wake in the morning without her sister in the room next door.
CHAPTERFOUR
The village of Crunston Cliff was small but seemed to have everything the inhabitants would need. They passed an apothecary and somewhere to buy everything from bonnets to bolts of material. He and Baron had ridden down the only street in and out on a cool, clear day with the sound of sea roaring against the cliffs.
There was a small tavern where they had stopped to eat and drink before climbing Raven Mountain, and where the locals had been happy to talk about his cousin and the wedding that was taking place today.
Apparently, a Raven was marrying a Sinclair. Sinclairs also being a local family.
“I will wait here in the village,” Baron said as they walked outside. “You go and do what you must, and I will remain inside where it is warm. I can only imagine the frigid temperatures this country endures in the winter months.”
“You will come with me,” Ash said to his companion as he mounted his horse.
“It is your brother, not mine.”
“You will come,” Ash said again. In this he was determined. He would not face this alone.
“Very well,” his traveling companion said. “But when I am frozen to my horse, you will be sorry.” He mounted also, and they headed back out of town to the foot of the mountain.
“I’m sorry that you are so soft that you cannot stand the cold.”
“You are shivering too,” Baron said.
It was cold. The kind that got into your bones, and it affected him also. He and Baron had lived in the warmth for many years now.
“And it is only autumn,” Ash said. “We will be gone before winter.”
“If that is your wish.”
“It is.” His back ached, it was clenched so tight as they began to climb.
