“Because they like her.”Damn them.
“So do I, but I don’t do that.” She pointed at Sir Clive Ready, who was bowing so low his knees creaked. The entire time he was telling Samantha in flowery prose how much he worshiped her.
“I think that man’s nose is too long.” Merry joined them and gestured to Lutton.
“It’s rude to insult people, Merry, even if they can’t hear you,” Warwick said, even though he agreed with her.
“That one has owl eyes.” Kat was staring at Atkins. “Like they are looking through that magafinding glass.”
“Magnifying,” Warwick corrected. “What do owl eyes look like,” he asked, loving his nieces very much in that moment.
Kat made a face that was more like an owl passing a bowel movement than anything else.
“Oh Lord have mercy, what is that?” a voice rasped.
Looking over his shoulder, Warwick watched Zachariel Deville stagger toward them. His hand was shielding his eyes. He was immaculately dressed, although his face had a green tinge.
“That?”
“Don’t shout.”
“That?” Warwick raised his voice.
“Bright offensive orb in the sky.”
“It’s the sun!” Merry shouted. Perhaps it was the result of living in a large boisterous family, but Merry rarely simply spoke without raising her voice.
“Girls, hug Uncle Zach. He’s not feeling very well. He needs a big squeeze from you both, and you need to tell him, loudly, where we are going after the park.”
“To take tea!” the girls squealed.
Zach winced as they ran at him. He’d become a regular at their house, and they had grown to love him because he would get on the floor and play with them.
Warwick laughed as they threw themselves at him. He staggered back, groaning, a hand on each of their shoulders.
“You fiend.” He glared at Warwick.
“You should learn not to overindulge constantly. I just spoke with your older brothers. They were disparaging of your rakish ways.”
Zach mouthed something foul and bent to hug the girls.
“God’s blood,” he whispered, rising. “My head is pounding.”
“Why are you here with eyes like that?” Warwick said. “You look like you’re bleeding to death.”
“You should see them from my side,” Zach hissed. “My destination is somewhere in this park. My cousin Forrest and his family are hosting a picnic for my niece and her friends. It seems she wanted me there.”
“So, you are.”
“Exactly.”
“Completely understand,” Warwick said. “Go on then.”
Zach didn’t move. His eyes went to Samantha’s back and then to the men standing before her in a half circle, vying for her attention.
“So that’s why you look like that.”
“I assure you there is no look,” Warwick said.
