She turned to find Orion holding more newssheets. “Thank you. These are so delightful.”
His eyebrows drew together as he studied her. “Delightful?”
“The gossip.” She laughed, and then realized that he might enjoy it as much as she. “Do you know anyone that was written about?”
“Likely,” he chuckled.
“Cassian has promised to provide me with current newssheets.”
“You may soon grow bored,” Orion warned.
“That is doubtful,” Nina sighed. “But once I am caught up, they will not take so long to read each day and I will know what is happening outside of Nightshade Manor.” She grinned and folded the newssheet and set it beside her. “Have you ever been mentioned in the gossip?”
“Perhaps in my youth,” he answered.
“Are you so old now?”
“I am all of five and twenty.”
“Ancient!” She laughed but was surprised that only a year separated them. He seemed so much older. Then again, he also had worldly experience whereas she had none.
“Tell me of school, attending Eton, then Cambridge.”
“Cassian and I attended the same schools. He was only a year ahead of me.”
Nina rolled her eyes. “Yes, but he did not tell me anything of interest and I am certain he must have gotten up to trouble.”
Orion grew serious. “No, he did not. He was studious and likely the best-behaved student Eton had ever encountered. He did not want to be a disappointment to my Uncle Richard.”
Some of her humor dissipated. Cassian had always been serious and thankful that they had been taken in.
“He has never attended a Season, has he?” Nina asked just now realizing that her brother never mentioned doing so.
“We asked him to many times, but he said it was not his place. In fact, as far as I know, Cassian went to school and returned here and never traveled anywhere else.” Then he frowned. “Though, he did go to France once he was done with Cambridge.”
“He wanted to see what was left of our chateau and if the vineyard still existed.”
“What did he find?” Orion asked.
“Our land and home had been confiscated by the government. Cassian had no proof that he was the heir to the estate, and it would take too long to gather the evidence and then argue his case. He said that while the chateau still stood, the land had been razed and he would need to start over. As he had no funds to do so, he walked away.” Nina picked at her skirt. “I sometimes wonder if he would have remained and fought for our ancestral estate if I was not tied to here. It is his birthright and even if I cannot go home, he could.”
Orion settled on the step next to her and his eyes filled with concern. “I will speak with my father or Uncle Richard. Perhaps they might be able to help your brother.”
“I am not certain he would accept.”
They were so close. His face near hers. It caused a nervousness through her body that she’d not experienced before, and her heart seemed to beat quicker. She did not like this feeling at all and pulled away. Standing, Nina put distance between her and Orion.
Goodness, why was she so nervous around him so suddenly?
“Tell me of the Season,” she said. “Do you dance with all the pretty misses?” She tried to make light of the question and now wished that she hadn’t asked it. Nina didn’t want to think of Orion dancing with anyone. When he returned to London, he would dance with more ladies and misses in search of a husband and one day he would wed. He’d then return to Nightshade Manor with his wife, and Nina would be able to do no more than watch from the trees.
“I try to dance as little as possible,” he chuckled.
“Truly?” she asked as she turned to face him.
“The misses would rather dance with my brother, if you must know.”
“Pierce?” she asked rather surprised. Orion was far more beautiful than his older brother.
