Lissa had not only convinced the duchess to be their chaperone. She looked absolutely aristocratic in her white day dress, decorated with pale blue embroidery around the scooped neckline. Her hair, pulled back, gave her a proper appearance beneath her bonnet, but the tendrils of black hair that fell about her face made her appear almost angelic. He was not surprised that she was as good at masking who she was as he.
What had surprised him was the kiss they’d shared and the words she’d whispered. Somehow, knowing she wasn’t a virgin, and quite possibly a seductress, had put thoughts in his head he’d never contemplated, nor did he wish to. Yet he’d spent the next two nights dreaming about touching the bare curves he’d felt as she pressed herself against him. At the memory of those dreams, he shifted his position.
As if his movement caused him to become the focus of attention, the duchess turned from Lissa and looked at him. “Mr. Taylour, how should we address your brother? You haven’t even told us his name. All I know of him is that he has a library that he ignores.”
He cleared his throat. Now that it was time to reveal all to two women who had saved his life on different occasions, he found the words stuck in his throat. He swallowed hard. “You may address him as Lord Ferncroft.”
While Lady Northwick nodded as if it solved some puzzle she’d been working upon, Lissa’s eyes widened in obvious shock. “Your brother is a peer?”
“He is.” He dismissed his feeling of guilt. Though they had always been honest with each other, they had no agreement to tell each other everything. After all, where would he start?
“Come, Mr. Taylour, tell us his position and about his home. Are you two good friends?” The duchess’s gaze was absolute, as if she’d will him to speak.
“I would not say we are friends, but we are family. You must understand, he is the oldest and I the youngest. We were not in each other’s company very often.”
Lissa had recovered, and her gaze turned shrewd. “And what title does he hold? I understand families can have many titles.”
It was as if she’d already guessed, which shouldn’t surprise him. She was both observant and quick to make sense of the clues. “Lord Ferncroft is a marquess.” Even as he made the announcement, he could almost see Lissa’s thoughts. Would she figure it out now or later?
“And he doesn’t use his library?” The duchess hmphed as if that were a significant crime to lay at his brother’s feet.
Though he didn’t feel a strong obligation to defend Darius, he didn’t want the duchess to start off the visit on the offensive. “He does use the room, and I’m sure the governess finds books for his children to read. He is recently widowed, so I’m afraid his library is not his primary concern.”
Her Grace looked to Lissa. “The poor man. I suppose we must put aside our differences to allow for a pleasant visit, then.”
Lissa nodded, but didn’t say a word, no doubt irritated with him. He’d have to make it up to her, except he was well aware of what she wished, but after the way his body reacted to hers, he could not allow her to go with him to Leighhall’s. He would simply point out there was no way for her to leave Silver Meadows for an entire weekend.
“I always knew there was more to you than you allowed us all to see. Does my brother-in-law know?” Lady Northwick raised her brows in expectation of his answer.
“The Captain? I mean Viscount Blackmore? No, he doesn’t. I have had no reason to discuss my family with anyone. As they are all scattered about the country and rarely see each other, I don’t often think to discuss them.” He gave the duchess one of his charming smiles. “To be fair, they don’t particularly approve of my various employments, but as I do my part to help others, I do not believe their blessing necessary.”
The duchess gave him the side-eye, clearly understanding his reference to his work for her husband.
He was thankful she lapsed into silence at that. Unfortunately, Lissa found her voice.
“Well, do not leave us in suspense, Mr. Taylour. Tell us about your family. Do your parents host a gathering at Christmastide? Do your brothers all have titles? Do you expect to carry on the Taylour line?”
“Lissette, we don’t ask such personal questions here.” Lady Northwick frowned at Lissa, who quickly looked away.
He could remain quiet, but since Lissa was such a part of his investigation, she deserved the truth. “I do not mind, Your Grace. I’m sure Mademoiselle Lissette is curious about the complexities of life among theton.”
Not only did Lissa whip her gaze back to his in surprise, but the duchess gave him her full attention, obviously curious herself.
“Then if you don’t mind, Mr. Taylour, I’m sure we would both enjoy the conversation to wile away the time as we journey northward.” Her Grace offered him an encouraging smile.
He cleared his throat. “I’m not certain it will take that long. As you know, I’m Anthony Taylour and I am one of four sons of the Duke of Roxburgh. However, my parents tend to enjoy life far up north, so I see them only occasionally.” His heart filled with warmth at the thought of his mother. “My parents were injured in an explosion at a factory they visited, and my mother prefers being around only people who know her well.”
“Oh, no. I’m very sorry to hear of such an event.” The duchess held his gaze, making it impossible to look at Lissa to see how she reacted to the revelation. “Whatever were they doing in a factory?”
“My mother’s heart knows no bounds. She insisted on helping those of the working class and brought my father to witness the conditions there, which she felt were unsafe for the children.” He grimaced. “She proved her point. Unfortunately, my father was with her as well, and he lost part of his leg. My oldest brother now serves as the figurehead of the family.”
He turned his head to face Lissa, her dark eyes unreadable. “My brother, the marquess, has a daughter and a son, and my brother the earl has two sons, so there is no need for me to keep the family name alive.”
She didn’t react to his statement, but her gaze didn’t waver.
“And your other brother?” The duchess obviously wanted to learn every detail. “One is the marques we are about to visit and the other an earl. What of the other?”
Reluctantly, he moved his attention back to Her Grace. “My next brother is the Viscount of Livermore further north, and I am the Baron of Bellamore, my lands even closer to the Scottish border.”
