“Father will be back in Liverpool by the end of the week. You have that long to relax before joining us at the townhouse.”
That wasn’t too bad. At least she had a few more days to get to know her prince. “Fine. I shall be there by the end of the week as well.” She glanced at the closed door. “Have you said anything to Uncle Michael about this?”
“All I said was that Father would return home at the end of the week, and he wants his children there with him for much-needed family holiday. Our uncle agrees.”
Smiling, she shrugged. “I suppose that is a good excuse. I swear you can convince people of anything. Sometimes I wish my brain worked as quickly as yours.”
He threw back his head and laughed. “You certainly have a quick wit, my dear sister. If half the women I meet were as intelligent as you, I might find one to marry.”
She blurted out a laugh. “Really? You don’t want some dimwitted female as your wife? If you married someone who actually thought for themselves, they might argue with you—and win.”
He gave her a crooked smile. “It would make for a more interesting marriage, don’t you agree?”
Tilting her head, she studied him closely to see if he was being humorous or not since he was known to tease her quite a bit. His hair was the same sandy, light-brown color as hers, and they even shared the same brown eye color, but that was where their similarities ended. She never thought they really resembled each other as they grew up. Even friends of the family remarked about how different they were.
“Actually, Gordon...I do agree. I have spent enough time with Uncle Michael and Aunt Anita to know I want a marriage like theirs. They respect and love each other, yet our aunt isn’t going to let something pass by her without giving her opinion. Some of their arguments have been comical, but in the end, they say I love you to each other, and they are back to being happy.”
His smile waned as he stared at her. “I don’t remember our mother all that much, so I can’t tell you if she was like that with Father, but I want to hope they were very compatible.”
Nicole laid her hand on Gordon’s arm. “I want to believe they were. I want to believe they loved each other so much that our father couldn’t find another woman to replace her when she died.”
Moisture collected in Gordon’s eyes, but he quickly blinked it away. “Yes. I shall believe that as well.” He leaned over and kissed her forehead before standing. “I shall leave now, but make certain you are home by the end of the week.”
“Why are you leaving so soon?” She reached to grab his hand, but he backed up too far. “Why not stay and visit our relatives for a few hours?”
He shook his head. “Not this time. I have some things I want to accomplish before we start our new assignment...if you know what I mean.” He waggled his eyebrows.
Indeed, she knew exactly what he meant. Her brother was a ladies’ man, an accomplished rake of the first order. “Fine. I shall see you when I get home.”
He blew her a kiss before leaving the room.
Sighing, she slumped on the sofa. Well, if her brother could carry on with women for a spell before returning home, then she should at least be allowed to spend a little time with Ashton Lee.
She glanced at the clock on the mantel above the fireplace. Her heartbeat picked up rhythm. It was time to leave for town, but first, she must convince her relatives that she and Emily could go alone. Nicole prayed things would go her way today.
She jumped off the sofa and dashed out the door. As she hurried down the corridor, she glanced in each room, searching for her uncle and aunt. Her aunt sat in the sitting room working on her stitchery.
“There you are, Aunt Anita.” Nicole smiled and entered the room.
“I have been here all morning.” She glanced behind Nicole in the hall. “Where is Gordon? I heard he was here.”
“He was, briefly, but left.”
Aunt Anita frowned. “Without even staying for the midday meal? Sometimes, I wonder if that brother of yours has gone daft.”
Nicole shrugged one shoulder and tried not to laugh. “You know Gordon. He is always busy with something.”
“Very true. So why did he come?”
“To tell me that Father is returning home at the end of the week from his latest assignment, and he wants his children there to greet him.”
“Oh, dear. So, you will be leaving us again?”
“Yes, Auntie. For a little while.” She moved to the cushioned chair where the older woman sat, bent over, and kissed her cheek. “But I shall return soon enough, I assure you.”
“I know you will.” Aunt Anita smiled.
“But because I’ll be leaving soon, I want to spend more time with my cousin. Can I take Emily into town this morning?”
