CHAPTER 9
It was likely grossly inappropriate to be whistling as he strolled toward Da’s library, hands shoved in his pockets, but Phineas was doing exactly that. He needed to find his sister, and get her thoughts.
At Dumpkins, he’d dropped Olive off at her room, after garnering a few surprised looks at their damp state, and told her he’d get his jacket later. At the door, however, he’d lingered for a gentle kiss, and had loved the way her eyes had widened behind her spectacles. She hadn’t expected that, which just meant his sweet, innocent little scholar had no idea what he was planning.
Innocent? No’ anymore.
But he couldn’t feel guilty about that. He’d just had the best sexual encounter of his life, and with the woman he wanted to spend his future with. Best of all,she’dbeen the one to initiate everything, so he knew she’d wanted it as much as he had.
Just the thought of the bold way she’d removed her clothes, or the way she’d caressed him, or the way she’d taken hold of his cock and slid her tight warmth around him…
Well, it was damned inconvenient getting a cockstand in the middle of the corridor, but likely worth it.
And the hard ride he’d taken to get from Dumpkins to Newfincy had cured his erection. The fresh, rain-scented air had been good for his head, and now?—
“Phin! What has ye looking like a cat who’s found the milk saucer?”
His sister’s teasing call had him grinning. Just who he was looking for. He ducked into the library to see Athena sitting with her feet crossed in front of her on the ottoman, a book of children’s tales open on her lap. It took a moment to notice wee Callan snuggled up beside her, almost hidden by her simple day gown. It was a picture of domestic tranquility, assuming one didn’t actually know the lad’s angelic grin hid a rascal.
Once again, Phin recalled he hadn’t retrieved Olive’s spectacles.
Ye’ve been busy.
“Found ye at last!” he announced with a mock glare as he stepped into the parlor. “Reading to that scamp, as if the ruffian doesnae have crimes to answer for?”
Callan must’ve realized his threatening mien was all bluster, because he jumped to his feet with a cheeky grin and swiped the book from Athena’s hand. Before she could object, he’d planted one foot on the armrest of the settee and launched himself over it onto the floor. She’d opened her mouth to call his name when he turned back and swiped the pillow—almost as large as he was!—from behind her on the settee.
As the lad ran for the door, Phin made a desperate grab for him, but the lad ducked, first right, then left, as he swerved around him, Phin was left clutching empty air.
Athena, of course, thought this was hilarious.
“Och, let the lad go! It isnae as if ye dinnae ken where he sleeps!” She chuckled.
Phin crossed his arms in front of his chest and leaned a shoulder against the doorframe. “He has too much freedom as it is.”
But Athena just clucked her tongue and lounged against the back of the settee. “Ye are welcome to try parenting him, since ye think such a puir job is being done.” Before Phin could answer, his sister shrugged. “Besides, what does it matter if he has a bit of freedom? A bit of fun. He is no’ bothering anyone.”
Phin considered telling her about Callan’s eyeglass theft, but figured it didn’t much matter. It mean having to chase after the lad, and he was in too good a mood to really care at the moment.
Seeming to understand, Athena smiled slyly and stretched one arm across the back of the settee. “Besides, the scamp kenned ye werenae threatening. The whole castle likely heard yer satisfied whistling. I assume ye have found a bit of skirt, eh?”
It wasn’t something a man liked to discuss with his sister, but Athena was different from most women in their social circles. Different from mostsisters, definitely. So he shrugged.
“A bit, perhaps.”
Humming, Athena pushed herself to her feet and focused on straightening her skirts. “If ye have been spending time with one of the housemaids, ye best no’ let Olive ken it. That lass loves ye.”
A grin split Phin’s face. “Really?”
Surprised, Athena glanced at him. When she saw his expression, her own softened. “Aye, of course,” she said gently. “I ken I only just met her, and it is no’ as if she’d want to lean into the bonds of friendship with someone like me, but evenIcould see she was half in love with Aberdeen Jones.”
His sister’s teasing wink, and her words about his alter ego had Phin pausing. He’d been about to refute her claim that she wasn’t worthy of a friendship with Olive, but the claim distracted him with uncertainty.
WasOlive in love with Aberdeen Jones? How did she feel about Phineas Oliphant?
Might he dare to hope she cared about him in the same way he cared about her?
Phin dropped his hands to his pockets once more. “We’ve been excavating the ruins,” he blurted, then realized he was trying to defend his time with Olive. “I’ve been looking for the matching goldensphaera, and she’s brilliant. She figured out what might’ve happened to it, so we’ve spent the last few days up at the dig site.”
