Morning calls were often carried out in the afternoon, which Forrest found ridiculous, but there you had it. Many things about London society were ridiculous, but it was the way of things.
“Smile and try to look enthusiastic.”
Zach sat across from him in the carriage. He too was scowling.
“I don’t see why I had to come with you to the Blake residence. Thus far, I have avoided it. It’s not like you don’t have plenty of brothers to accompany you,” Forrest said.
“They are busy with their women, apparently.”
“Tell me again why we are doing this?”
Zach’s sigh could have felled an oak. “I was rude to Mary, and Abby sent me a testy note this morning stating that she’d spoken to the she devil, and this time she will never forgive me.”
“Why can you just not avoid each other, for pity’s sake. It’s not like you don’t know that you can’t stand the sight of each other, so take steps to stay away from the woman!”
“It’s not that easy. She’s everywhere I go!”
“I now know many people are in London, Zach. I see them at social functions or riding in the park. That does not mean I have to bloody talk to them.”
He was out of sorts, there were no other words for it. He hadn’t slept. Questions around Ruby plagued him constantly, and he had a terrible feeling she was hungry and living in a hovel. There was also her brother now to worry over. And of course, there was the moment of madness when he’d kissed her. It was a brush of his mouth on hers, and he couldn’t forget it. He wanted her, and that hunger was growing.
He’d tried to avoid her for the last week since the picnic. Keep his distance, and when he was forced into her company, he was ruthlessly polite. She was like that to him also. There was no smile or laugh like she gave the other members of his family. It made him want to gnash his teeth.
“Don’t snap at me.”
“You just snapped at me, and may I remind you I am the one seated across from you, about to enter the viper’s den, because again, you made a mess of things and are not big enough to go alone and fix it.”
Zach’s expression changed from a scowl to a smile.
“Why are you smiling?”
“It is rare to see you ruffled and less than your calm self, cousin. What has your necktie in a twist?”
“I am with you and not home with my daughter.”
“Who is taking her lessons with Miss Knight.” His cousin smirked. “I believe they are going exploring in the garden this morning. Fairfax sent out Hogan to collect snails and slugs earlier. He was to place them under things for your daughter to find.”
“Fairfax should be knighted for his organizational skills, and ability to put up with us all.”
“Agree. But getting back to Ella and her lovely tutor.”
Forrest had been looking out the window, but his head snapped back so he could look at Zach. He knew that look.
“I had a chat with Abby and Dimity yesterday when you returned from the picnic.”
“Which you could have attended if you’d roused yourself from your bed.”
Zach waved his words away. “Do you want to know what we discussed?”
“No.”
“You, actually.”
“I have never met a more meddlesome family than this one,” Forrest said.
“Because we love you, cousin.”
“Lovely though that sentiment is, I assure you I don’t need any of you interfering in my life.”
