A smile lit Debnam’s gray eyes. Not his cynical smile, but warm and intimate. Laura experienced an odd little thrill. As if she’d vaulted over some sort of obstacle, although many more awaited. She didn’t want to lose the mood and so she chose her words carefully. “You were very kind to Mrs. Joyce and Mary. It is obvious you care about people.”
Debnam’s mouth quirked. “I am filled with the milk of human kindness.” He shrugged carelessly, quoting from Shakespeare’sMacbeth.
Laura slowly shook her head, her eyes admonishing him. Picking up her wineglass, she took a sip of the superb vintage. “If you open your mind and heart to others, it might surprise you to find you enjoy it excessively.”
“‘Excessively’? Let’s not get carried away. There are admittedly some people I like very much, but also many I have met whom I detest.”
“And you liked me? That’s why I’m here?”
Debnam rubbed his hand over his eyes. “Laura, of course I do. Despite you reminding me of a bird tugging at a worm it can’t pull out of its hole. And like the bird, you persist undaunted.”
She laughed. “I am pleased to be likened to the bird and not the worm. What kind of bird am I to be?”
He studied her. “Metaphorically? A robin. A jaunty, determined, little robin redbreast.”
“And you a lonely falcon flying high above the ground, swooping down only to snatch up your food.”
Debnam’s eyes widened. “Ah, Laura.” He turned the glass in his fingers, making the crystal flash in the candlelight. “Perhaps we may talk of something more pleasing?”
“I agree. You talk and I shall listen.”
His appreciative glance roamed over her. It lingered on the low neckline of her gown before he met her gaze. “I must confess, I will miss your company.”
“I will miss your company too, Debnam,” she said, suddenly sad.
“Will you? Just for tonight, will you call me by my given name?”
She drew in a breath as another obstacle fell away. “Brendan.”
“I like the sound of my name on your lips.”
It was a surprising confession after he’d been so formal. Elated, she hoped they might stop avoiding the topic which hovered unspoken between them. What had made him change his mind and send her home? She couldn’t believe he wanted to. One look from him made her yearn to be closer. And he felt that way too; it was apparent in every heated glance.
The footmen entered with the first course filling the room with flavorsome aromas. Redfern appeared from the cellar with another decanted bottle of white wine.
Conversation ceased while Redfern replenished their glasses, although she’d drunk only half a glass, intending to be careful. Just being here with Brendan made her head swim.
“Leave us,” Brendan ordered the footmen, after the oyster soup had been ladled onto their plates and side dishes placed on the table.
Laura drank a spoonful of the soup, then licked a droplet from her lip. It had a subtle, delicious flavor. “Mm. You have an excellent cook.”
He gazed at her mouth. “I’m pleased you approve. This morning, the oysters were brought fresh from the harbor. Shall we go there tomorrow? Your maid can accompany you. That’s if your brother doesn’t arrive. Although I think it too soon.”
“I would like that.” Would Robert come? He would hasten here as soon as he got the earl’s note. Her brother, now his debts were settled, would be at pains to see her home safely again.Home?The thought of leaving made her shoulders droop. Left to roam around Longworth or sent back to London to the marriage mart? She couldn’t decide which was worse.
“What are you thinking about, Laura?” Brendan asked. “For a moment, you looked sad.”
She couldn’t tell Brendan it involved him, so she chose the next thing of concern on her list. “I worry about my brother.”
“His gambling habit?”
Laura nodded, unwilling to admit to the rest. How Robert had threatened to end his life. She glimpsed sympathy in his eyes, but he said nothing. What was there to say? Tomorrow or the next day, she would be off his hands. The prospect dampened her appetite for the tasty array of dishes brought to the table.
*
Brendan watched Laurapush away her plate. She had only picked at the dishes. Arnaud would despair at his creations returned to him unappreciated. Brendan disliked how worried she seemed. What did he send her back to? He had been blind to the problems she faced. Her brother could have ratcheted up more debts in gaming hells in the last few days. It would take little for his estate to end up in the hands of creditors, if he didn’t learn economy and employ a good estate manager.
He wanted to cease this polite conversation and speak truthfully. To say he longed for her to stay. He wanted to leave his chair now and pull her into his arms. To take her upstairs to his bed. None of which he said, or had any intention of doing. At the temptation, Gaylord loomed large in his thoughts. The man would stop at nothing to discredit him, and although he cared little for himself, he cared for Laura. Enough to sacrifice that which he wanted very much to hold on to.
