“That’s because youarea cat.” Esme nudged her gently and Jane’s laughter increased.
When she became serious again, she said, “Or perhaps you’ll become an earl’s wife. A countess, isn’t it? I could carry your trains while I don’t make eye contact with Lady High and Mighty.”
Her friend meant it as a joke, but Esme tensed at the idea. Not so long ago, it would have been an attainable dream. To be Finn’s, in his arms and life and bed forever. But now she had no business considering that. Not that she wanted it. Finn was temporary.
“You are terrible,” she teased with difficulty and lightly slapped her friend’s arm.
Jane became serious. “Truly, though. Let him help if he offers it. At the very least, you might get peace of mind.”
Esme nodded slowly. Peace of mind sounded lovely. To turn the page fully on the death of her father, knowing she’d done all she could to avenge him.
“Very well. I’ll reach out to Finn. I’ll meet with him and discuss whatever it is he thinks he can do for me.”
Jane lifted her eyebrows. “Yes.Whateverit is.”
They both got up and Jane left the room first, giggling over her quip. But Esme couldn’t. She was about to enter the most treacherous waters she’d ever encountered. She’d have to be careful not to drown.
Finn had known his sister for twenty-six years and Sebastian for almost as long, and yet the silence in his parlor as they sat together was as awkward as if they had all just met. He shifted in his chair and forced a smile at the pair on the settee. It was only relieved when a servant stepped in with the tea and placed it on the sideboard before quickly bowing out.
“Let me play hostess,” Marianne said as she got to her feet and hurried to the sideboard.
“I’ll help,” Sebastian said, at her heels immediately.
Finn remained silent as he watched the two interact. He’d been skeptical of their sudden union, as well as the delicate position he’d found them in together at the country party. Ramsbury was attentive now, his eyes bright as he helped her. But Finn still feared for her. If she ended up married to him and had to chase him for his affections like their mother had…
Finn’s stomach turned. That was why he still maintained distance from his friend, despite the upcoming nuptials.
And yet as Finn watched, he did feel the connection between them. He saw it in the way Sebastian smiled down at Marianne when she wasn’t looking at him. He saw it in the way she blushed when their hands met as she passed over a cup to him. Or the way she said her intended’s name, something gentle and intimate and so filled with love that it seemed rude to listen to them.
Ramsbury returned to Finn, handing over a cup prepared just as he liked it. The two of them settled back into their places and Marianne smiled. “The first reading of the banns seemed to go well, as well as the announcements in all the papers. Thank you for doing that, Finn.”
He inclined his head. “Of course. I would do nothing less than publicly celebrate your union. From the comments I’ve received, it seems that on the whole, most are seeing this as a fetching love story.”
“Good,” Ramsbury said, and took Marianne’s hand. “Because that’s what it is.”
Finn wrinkled his brow. He’d told Esme that he couldn’t recognize love, but that wasn’t true. When he forced himself to see beyond his own fears, there it was, right in front of him. And while he was happy for his sister and his friend that they had found it, he still felt an empty ache in his chest.
“I’m surprised Aunt Beulah didn’t join us,” Finn said, searching for small talk.
Marianne laughed and sent Ramsbury a side look that indicated some private little joke. “She is obsessed with my wedding trousseau and could not be dragged from stitching me handkerchiefs with what will be my new initials, so she stayed behind in our little home.”
Finn wrinkled his brow. Their spinster aunt had lived with Marianne in the years when she had taken her own small home in London. He hadn’t thought about what would happen after she was wed. Why hadn’t he thought of that? It was his duty to do just that.
“Actually, we wished to speak to you about her,” Marianne said, and patted Ramsbury’s knee gently.
He smiled at her and then said, “We would like for her to join us in our home in London after the wedding. She’s been a good companion to your sister all this time.”
“And she adores Sebastian,” Marianne said with a smile.
Finn nodded. “Y-Yes, of course. If she would be happy with that change, I’d support it fully. I can sell your small home after everything is settled and distribute the money as additional dowry if you’d like.”
“Settle it on her,” Marianne suggested. “As an extra allowance. You know how she wagers at cards with her friends—she could always use a little extra.”
Sebastian nodded. “That’s a fine idea. Marianne certainly will want for nothing.”
Finn stared at his teacup for a moment. Everything was being taken care of without his input. The time for him to be his sister and his aunt’s protector was over, it seemed. And just when Esme might need him. Was she correct that he would simply transfer his need to protect to her?
No. Wanting to save Esme, help her, had nothing to do with his basic instincts and everything to do with the way her eyes lit up when she looked at him.
