Page 4 of A Summer Romance (The Starlings of Starling Hall #2)

Theo hadn’t expected to feel so remorseful when he saw the expression on Breana Starling’s lovely face.

Before he had been angry with Francis for dallying with the girl when he was promised to Miss Ingram, but now he was angry with himself.

Did the silly chit actually love his brother? Had Francis broken her heart?

Perhaps he should have been kinder in his telling.

The truth was, Theo had always had a tendre for Breana, ever since they were young.

First he had seen her at various village events, then later at Barton Manor when his mother threw her extravagances for the local gentry.

Breana had always been so vivacious, a breath of fresh air to a man like himself, whose soul was weighed down with family problems.

He understood only too well why she was drawn to his happy-go-lucky brother Francis, but that didn’t mean he didn’t resent her for it.

He was angry at Francis, yes, but he was also annoyed that Breana could not see that Theo was the far better choice.

It made him frown at her far more than he would have liked.

Now her big blue eyes were full of tears, which she tried to blink back.

She was too proud to let him see, and he felt sad about that too.

He would have liked to take her in his arms and comfort her, but she would scream blue murder.

Apart from the inappropriateness of such a gesture, Breana did not like him.

She had never liked him, and he wondered now why he had never tried to win her over.

He had sat listening to her chatter to others on many occasions, smiling at her flights of fancy, but he had never taken the time to make himself agreeable to her or to show her his true self.

What if she knew he was the only responsible one in a family that seemed oblivious to the disasters looming ahead?

He thought she might be sympathetic—she had a kind heart—but he could not pinpoint exactly what it was that attracted him to her.

Perhaps it was many things. Yes, she was very pretty, and she smiled a great deal, and she seemed happy most of the time.

Like sunshine on a dull day, he craved her.

He wanted to forget his worries and bask in her uncomplicated presence.

He suspected that if she was serious and practical like him, then he would not be charmed by her.

If only she hadn’t set her sights on his bloody brother…

“Miss Ingram?” she said. “Francis has never mentioned a Miss Ingram. Why wouldn’t he tell me?”

“The answer to that is self-evident,” he said as gently as he dared. “If you knew then you’d hardly be kissing him, would you? Or am I mistaken?”

“How dare you!” She stepped back so hastily that she stumbled.

There was a log behind her that had been left carelessly lying in the long grass—Theo had had to cut back on the number of gardeners at the manor.

Breana cried out and would have fallen, but Theo finally did what he had been wanting to do.

He gathered her in his arms and saved her from a nasty tumble.

She clung to him, trembling. Instead of letting her go as he should have, he folded her even closer.

“I am sorry, Miss Starling,” he whispered to her. “I should not have been so blunt. I thought it easier to tell you the truth without prevarication. I was wrong.”

She leaned back so that she could look into his face while still being held in his arms. Her eyes were bluer than the sky, and he found himself lost in their depths.

The moment seemed to last forever, and Theo found himself thinking: This is what it would be like if Breana loved me, if she was my wife.

If I could hold her whenever she needed me to, and welcomed me with a smile.

But it was only a moment. She looked away and began to struggle in his hold so that he quickly let her go.

Just as well . Theo didn’t have time for distractions. There was too much to be done, and too many problems needing to be solved. Yet he couldn’t help but yearn for Breana to smile at him as she did his brother.

“Apologies,” he said gruffly. “I didn’t want you to be hurt.”

She stammered over her words. “I…T-thank you.”

“You should go home,” he added, more composed now.

“Yes, I should.”

And yet neither of them moved.

There was a shout, and they both looked up.

Francis was running toward them from the direction of the house, jacket flapping behind him like the hero of some romantic novel.

Theo tried not to groan with frustration.

He glanced at Breana and saw the relief on her face.

A moment later, his wretched brother had reached them.

Francis and Breana did not embrace, but Theo wondered bleakly if, had he not been watching, they would have. He tried not to be upset by the thought, because surely that was just ridiculous. Francis looked at him guiltily and then his eyes darted away. There was a flush in his cheeks.

“I had wanted to explain things to her myself, Theo,” he said, with a pleading note.

“Yes, you should have, long before today.” Theo said sternly. “Fortunately, I was able to assist in that matter. Miss Starling knows about Miss Ingram.”

“You are a heartless brute,” Francis declared, but it was all bluster. His brother knew he was in the wrong.

“One of us is. Now say your goodbyes and go.”

Breana looked to Francis as if she wanted him to stand up to Theo, but Francis would never do that.

He knew he had to marry a wealthy woman, and there was nothing objectionable about Miss Ingram.

Francis would enjoy living the sort of life her money could provide, and even someone as pretty as Breana Starling wasn’t going to change his mind.

Francis swallowed hard, and Theo wondered if he had underestimated the attraction his brother felt. Was he being cruel? He did not wish to be a cruel man.

“I am sorry,” Francis said quietly. “My marriage to Miss Ingram has already been arranged. She is not my first choice. She is boring and-and silly, and I don’t enjoy her company nearly as much as yours, but…”

“Can’t you say no?” Breana asked bluntly. Theo smiled at her ability to get straight to the point.

“I wish it were that simple,” Francis said, as if it wasn’t.

It occurred to Theo that his brother might be trying to have the best of both worlds. A wealthy wife and a pretty mistress. He felt his hackles rise as he growled, “ Francis , it is time we returned to the house.”

Francis rolled his eyes and Breana caught her breath on a laugh that was almost a sob.

Theo watched with suspicion as his brother leaned in close and had a whispered conversation with Breana that he could not hear.

Her blue eyes widened at whatever it was he said, and then she smiled.

But it did not seem to be her usual, natural smile.

This was forced, and Theo wondered what his brother had said.

Francis bent to press his lips to the back of her hand. “Soon.”

It was the sort of ridiculous romantic gesture he’d seen his brother practise in the mirror when he thought he was alone. But before Theo could admonish him, he was striding back to the house, leaving Theo alone with Breana.

“I don’t know what harebrained scheme my brother is concocting, but I trust you are too sensible to be taken in by his honeyed words,” he said in his sternest voice. “For your own sake, Miss Starling, I suggest you think before you act.”

Breana said nothing as she too walked away, back toward the gate.

Theo watched her, anxious and at the same time admiring her slender figure and flaming hair beneath that pretty bonnet.

He hoped this was the end of the matter.

That Francis would accept his future was with Miss Ingram and leave Breana be.

But he had an uncomfortable feeling that it was not, and it would be up to him to untangle yet another mess.