“If you didn’t know better?” he prompted when she trailed away.
“I might start to suspect that you reallydohave feelings for her.”
He pushed his chair away from the table. “We’re not discussing this again.”
“But–”
“Do not press me on this, Brynne. The matter has already been settled.” Standing, he pointed his finger at her. “And don’t think I wouldn’t find out about the heart soaps.”
“Those were all in good fun,” she said with an airy flick of her wrist. “You needn’t be soseriousall of the time, West. It is going to give you indigestion.”
“I’ll be fine.” He glanced at Sterling.
Good God.
Was thatdrooldribbling out of the side of the duke’s mouth?
“What should we do with him?” Brynne asked, following his gaze.
“When will the Smethwicks and the Hodgesons be here?”
She rose to her feet. “In time for the breakfast, which is at half-past ten. You shall need to change out of your riding attire.”
Weston nodded. “I’d planned on it. As for Sterling…we’ll leave the poor sod him where he is for the time being. If he doesn’t wake in the next hour, I’ll send in a bucket. Meanwhile, we can direct the guests to the drawing room for coffee and tea.”
The twins quit the parlor, making sure to close the door behind them.
“One final thing,” he said absently as Brynne prepared to flit off to the solarium to ensure everything was being prepared to her exact specifications. “Sterling drank my last bottle of Glenavon scotch. Have you been in communication with Lord Campbell as of late? I know the two of you were close–”
The teacup his sister had carried with her out of the parlor fell to the ground with a loudcrackand broke into pieces. On a gasp, she knelt and began to gather the shards until a maid rushed forward and took over the task.
“Are you all right?” Weston asked with concern. Taking Brynne by the elbow, he guided her to the foot of the staircase. “Did you cut yourself?”
Snatching her arm away, she curled it in tightly against her chest. “No, I…I am fine. The cup slipped. That’s all. To answer your question, I have not been in communication with Lachlan. Nor should Ievercare to hear his name again.”
With that, she hurried away…leaving Weston to wonder if his wasn’t the only conflicted heart at Hawkridge Manor.
Chapter Fourteen
Lady Ellinwood’s gouthad worsened overnight. An unfortunate turn of events for Evie’s great-aunt (the condition was rumored to be quite uncomfortable), and an unexpected reprieve for her cousin, as it allowed Rosemary to sneak out from beneath her grandmother’s thumb.
Taking full advantage of her cousin’s temporary freedom, Evie had spent the early hours of the morning scrubbing, combing, and yanking all of the bandoline out of Rosemary’s scalp. When she was finally finished, she was pleased to discover her cousin’s hair were as beautiful as she’d suspected it would be. Soft and glossy with golden undertones, loose curls framed a face wide-eyed with astonishment as Rosemary stared at her reflection in the mirror.
Going through her various assortments of creams and powders, Evie had added a light dusting of rouge to define her cousin’s cheekbones and a streak of kohl along her lash line to draw out the gray in her eyes. A thin layer of beeswax on the lips, and–
“I don’t recognize myself,” Rosemary breathed.
Inordinately pleased with the results she’d achieved, Evie met her cousin’s gaze in the mirror and grinned. “Just wait until we get you into a dress from this decade.”
When all was said and done, Rosemary no longer resembled a spinsterish wallflower. Instead, she absolutely shone in a gown of mint green silk with ruched sleeves and a scoop-necked bodice that flattered her bosom instead of hiding it, as if her natural curves were something to be ashamed of.
“You will have men fighting over you left and right,” Evie predicted.
“Oh, I sincerely hope not,” Rosemary said in dismay. “I wouldn’t know the first thing to say to them. Usually, no one ever tries to speak directly to me if they can help it. I think it’s because of Sir Reginald. For some reason, he makes people nervous.”
“I can only assume it is because they are accustomed to seeing woodland creatures in the woods, not peeking out from your reticule. But you shan’t have to worry about that presently, as Sir Reginald has remained at home. Here, put these on.” Evie handed her cousin a pair of white kid gloves that extended up past the wrist and ended in lace. “There. As far as talking to men is concerned, all you need to do is smile and nod at whatever they say.”
“That’s it?” Rosemary said doubtfully.
