Page 14 of Mr. Eastwood’s Match

Emily wrapped her arms more securely around the hat when the bird emitted a startled peep. Lyness raised his hand and spoke the command for Apollo to come to heel. He gave the lady at his side an apologetic glance.

“He would never jump on you, Lady Emily.”

“One cannot know that about a dog without knowing the dog well,” she pointed out with a frown. “If I feared dogs, truly, that would have sent me into a…a… Well. I do not know the genteel way to word it. Into hysterics, perhaps.”

His lips quirked upward. “How would you prefer to word it?” He bent and scratched Apollo’s large head behind one erect ear. “What would you say, even if not genteel?”

Her cheeks flushed. “I haven’t the f-faintest,” she stammered, apparently flustered.

He raised his eyebrows, smiling—waiting.

“Oh. Fine. I would have jumped right out of my skin and into the next county,” she said with a hint of a more countrified tongue.

He covered his lips with his fist, coughing once to keep from laughing at that vivid description. Her lips twitched upward, but she didn’t say another word as Apollo fell in beside Lyness. They arrived at the blanket with the others, and her brother and sister-in-law stood.

“Lady Emily,” Roman—Lord Hartwell to most—greeted her with a gallant bow. “I see my brother has fared well, being so fortunate as to have your company. Even if it seems to have cost him his hat.”

“I have only temporarily borrowed it, I assure you,” she said, stepping closer to show him the contents of the hat. “I found a distressed canary in need of conveyance. Or a nest.”

Roman stepped forward to look inside the hat, and he laughed. “What a fortunate creature to have you for its rescuer, Lady Emily. And now, thanks to my brother, it will travel in grand style wherever you may wish to take it.”

Sterling moved forward and looked into the hat, too, and Lady Juniper Sterling. Sterling frowned, while the other lady crooned softly.

“Poor little thing. Did someone lose it in the park? Or do you think it escaped?”

“It is unlikely it escaped from a house. Even the nearest are too far for the creature to have made it here without a cat or dog catching it,” Roman said with a shrug. “An ill-attempt at setting the thing free, I should think.” He glanced at Lyness. “Or perhaps someone irritated with its song thought to rid themselves of the bird without getting their hands dirty.”

“A true conspiracy,” Sterling said with a shake of his head. “And now, I shall be the one to learn if excessive singing was the cause of abandonmen. As it seems the bird will live within my home from this point onward.”

Color rose again in Lady Emily’s cheeks, though she narrowed her eyes at her elder brother with more fondness than irritation. “Oh, you like animals as much as I do. I heard you asking our neighbor’s steward about their next litter of pups.” Their ease with one another was unmistakable, and it extended to Lady Juniper as she laughed.

“You have caught him out. He also personally selected a trio of kittens for the stables not long before your arrival, Emily. He will dote on your little rescue, for certain.”

“The whole family makes a habit of collecting strays, then,” Roman said with the slightest upturn of his lips, which was more emotion than he generally showed when in public. That gave Lyness pause. Was his brother enjoying this encounter? “It seems your canary is fortunate in his rescuer, though must admit that I am torn as to whether to envy the bird for being taken in with such ease, or my brother for being the one to lend what was required.”

Merciful heavens. Was Roman flirting?

Lady Emily’s eyes flicked up to Roman’s, her brows raised. “Surely envy suits neither.”

Roman tipped his head forward, mirroring her expression. “Perhaps not. But admiration, at least, cannot be helped. So we will settle there. You have mine for your kind rescue.”

The lady glanced at Lyness, but he looked away before he could read her expression. Because he did not want to see what she made of Roman’s admiration, so directly stated that it surprised Lyness into complete silence. He gave his attention to the ruins. Tracing the fallen stone on the ground with his gaze.

“You are too kind, my lord,” she murmured.

Lady Juniper spoke next, quickly and with a determined brightness that made Lyness cut her a curious glance. “We are so fortunate to meet you both here today. Last time we saw Mr. Eastwood, we had the pleasure of an introduction to your mother. I hope Lady Hartwell is in good health and spirits?”

“The very best of both,” Roman answered, voice sincere. “In fact, last evening she asked about all of you. She is curious to know the ladies of the family better. A formal invitation will likely arrive at your home today or tomorrow, but my mother hopes all of you will dine with us in two days’ time. I believe our other guests that evening will be valuable acquaintances here in York.”

“Oh, that sounds lovely.” Lady Juniper threaded her arm through her husband’s. “We will be delighted to accept the invitation when it arrives.”

“Excellent. I look forward to welcoming all of you into my home.” Roman bowed once more to take his leave, and Lyness did the same. As he straightened, and prepared to turn, he realized Roman had not finished.

Roman’s attention returned to Lady Emily, his expression more friendly than polite. “Until we meet again, Lady Emily. I find myself already anticipating our next conversation.”

This time, Lyness could not help looking for her reaction to what was—for his brother—a bold statement. Which meant Lyness didn’t miss a flicker of surprise in her eyes before she dipped into a graceful curtsy. “Then I shall endeavor to think of interesting topics upon which to converse, my lord.”

The response was light. Perhaps too light. Flirtatious, even. Was she flirting with Roman? And what was Roman doing? And why?