“Hello!” She shrieked the word to the small gathering of people standing outside her brother’s house. She did not wonder how they knew she was arriving. They would have felt her getting closer. Her and Warwick.
Pulling her head back in at the tug on her skirts, she was smiling.
“You sounded like a street vendor when you shrieked.”
“I’m home, Warwick.”
“Yes, you are, and this time you’re staying there. The others will come later, but I suspect they thought that seeing everyone at once would be too much in one sitting.”
Penny made a noise.
“We are in London, Penny,” Samantha told her.
The maid smiled. “I will be pleased to get out of the carriage.”
“You will go straight to your bed and stay there until you are well rested,” Samantha said as the carriage stopped.
“Go.” Warwick waved to the door. “Archie and I will help Penny.”
“Thank you.” She threw open the door and jumped down. The large townhouse where she had spent so much of her life stood before her, and the man walking toward her had been the one to make it a home.
“James!”
“Hello, darling.”
She had six siblings, but he had been the first one who had taught her the meaning of love. Her big, handsome brother. His hair was graying, and those lovely soft brown eyes had more wrinkles beside them, but he was still the striking and powerful Duke of Raven.
“I missed you.” He picked her up and swung her around a few times. “Tell me you’re not leaving again.”
“Never.”I hope.
He lowered her back to her feet and studied her face.
“What has happened? Dev and the others felt something had, but the tension eased not long after it had started.”
“We will not talk of it now. But soon.”
He held her a while longer, and she knew he wanted to argue.
“I love you, little sister.”
“I love you too.” She hugged him again. “My maid is injured, James. Essie must see to her.” They both turned to watch Warwick help Penny from the carriage.
“How did that happen?” His scowl was fierce.
A loud clearing of a throat had him releasing her before she could answer. Her other siblings were all there, waiting for their turn to welcome her home. Some full blood, others half, all dear to her.
Max, her big gentle brother was next. He had the coloring of a lion and wielded the power and wealth he had with ease.
“I nearly drove to get you back so many times,” Max grumbled into her hair. “I missed you.”
“I missed you too.”
“Hand her over now.”
She was released and hugged again, this time by Rory. “Welcome home, sweetheart. Our family has not been the same since you left.”
“I am so very glad to be home,” Samantha said.
