Page 42

“Trevor!” I exclaimed when he appeared in the door of the nursery, nearly oversetting Emma, who had pulled herself up on the rocking horse.

A glimpse at the window showed me that the sun was still streaming through the glass. “I didn’t expect you for at least another two hours,” I said, struggling to my feet. “You must have made good time.”

Trevor enfolded me in his arms, and I smiled as his warmth and familiar scent mixed with that of his horse from the long day’s ride engulfed me. “I couldn’t sleep. So I set off a bit earlier than anticipated. Plus, for once, the roads weren’t a complete stew.”

He pulled back, and we examined each other.

There was no mistaking our resemblance. Not when he boasted the same unique coloring we’d all inherited from our mother, though his chestnut hair was the lightest and his lapis-lazuli blue eyes the darkest. However, his skeletal structure came from our father.

Now that he was grown, when I saw his broad shoulders and trim figure from behind, for a fleeting moment I always thought he was Father, and it was rather bittersweet to realize he was not.

Despite the difficulties he’d gotten himself into over the past few years, Trevor had always been a generally happy and healthy person, but standing before me now, he practically radiated with it.

I knew that his hard work and shrewd estate management had allowed him to recoup his losses and nearly set to rights all his financial difficulties faster than anticipated.

He’d even been able to make some sound initial investments in the new steam locomotives he was so keen on, being certain they would revolutionize Britain.

He’d also managed to convince Gage and Philip to join him.

While these were all achievements that he should be proud of—indeed, I was proud of him—I could tell there was something more behind his radiant smile.

He touched the fading bruise on my cheek. “Looks like you were telling the truth when you said you survived your tumble with just a few bumps and scrapes.”

Calling it a tumble was quite an understatement, but I appreciated his trying to make light of the matter.

“Would I lie to you?” I countered.

His eyebrows arched in gentle scolding. “To keep me from worrying? Yes.” He lowered his gaze to a spot behind me.

“But where is this niece of mine who is growing up much too quickly?” Dropping to his haunches so that he was more at Emma’s level, he grinned.

“Soon enough you’ll be attending balls and giving your father gray hair. ”

Emma watched him with wide eyes, an uncertain smile hovering at the corner of her lips.

“Don’t remind me or you’ll give me a fit of the vapors,” I said as I sank onto my knees beside her, offering her my hand.

Taking it, she moved one shaky step toward me before launching herself at my chest. I brushed her golden curls back from her forehead as she tilted her head to peer shyly at her uncle.

“You’ve never had a fit of vapors in your life,” Trevor argued.

“Yes, well, if anyone was to give me one, I imagine it would be my child.”

He chuckled. “And where did this handsome steed come from?” He clapped his hand onto the seat of the rocking horse, apparently having noticed the large bow tied around its neck.

“Her grandfather.” It had been waiting in the entry hall for us earlier when we’d returned from Abercromby Place.

“I see. Your first pony.” He leaned forward to croon to Emma. “Lord Gage has excellent taste in horseflesh.”

She cooed back, making both of us chuckle.

“I see you agree. And I hear you’ve got him wrapped around your little finger.” He darted a twinkling look up at me. “Your father is reputed to be the charming one, but I think your mother has her own type of magic to bring such a wily ogre around to her side.”

I shook my head at his nonsense. “Tell me all the news from Blakelaw House. Did Crabtree’s catarrh ever clear up?” Our longtime butler had been struggling with an excess of mucus over the winter.

We sat contentedly on the nursery floor as Trevor informed me of the state of affairs at his estate and the comings and goings in the village of Elwick.

Meanwhile, Emma snuggled into my shoulder and drifted off to sleep.

My brother was the first to notice it, falling silent as he nodded toward his niece with an adoring smile.

With his help, I managed to climb to my feet without tripping over my skirts and laid her in her cradle.

“A new tenant has leased Twizel Hall with an eye to purchase,” he stated as I softly closed the door to the nursery.

I threaded my arm through his as we began to descend the stairs, attuned enough to my brother’s tone of voice to recognize this was important, and not just because the estate in the neighboring village had sat dormant for some years.

Not a decade earlier, the large Gothic Revival manor had hosted lavish country house parties that were the talk of the parish and much farther afield.

But since its owner’s death, it had sat empty except for a steward and a few seasonal laborers.

“Jeremiah Birnam. It’s doubtful, but you may have heard of him. He owns a number of highly profitable mills. Made a fortune from them. And now he’s heavily investing in steam locomotives.”

“Along with acquiring an estate.”

Though I’d spoken in a neutral tone, there was a question in Trevor’s eyes when he looked down at me. “Yes.”

It was a common tale. Wealth was no longer restricted to those of land and privilege. The new industrialists were acquiring fortunes at a staggering pace and eager to purchase the trappings of an aristocratic life.

“His interest in locomotives must give you something to talk about.”

“Yes.” His reply was again hesitant.

Suspecting I knew where this was headed, I waited to say anything more until we reached the drawing room. Jeffers stood just outside the door, and I instructed him to bring tea. “And tell Mrs. Mackay that Emma is napping.”

He bowed his head before departing.

I gestured for Trevor to sit in one of the giltwood armchairs while I settled comfortably on the sofa, arranging my skirts. “And does Mr. Birnam have a family?”

I looked up to find him watching me with fond exasperation, having realized I’d guessed his secret. “Yes.”

“A daughter?”

“Yes.”

I bit back a smile. “I imagine she’s quite lovely.”

“Give it up, Kiera,” he demanded. “Who told you?”

“No one.”

He narrowed his eyes playfully.

“Truly,” I said with a laugh. “I simply know you too well.”

He sank back with a resigned grunt, as if to say, We’ll see .

“What’s her name?”

“Matilda.” The way he said her name and the tenderness in his eyes told me this was not a passing fancy.

“And does Miss Birnam return your regard?”

A light flush crested his cheeks. “I think so. No. I know so,” he revised before rattling off an extensive list of her attributes. He was clearly smitten.

I knew I must be grinning like an idiot, but I just couldn’t withhold my joy for him. “And her father? Is he amenable?”

Some of Trevor’s eagerness faded. “I have no title, and he knows my wealth and estate are small.”

“But surely those aren’t his only considerations,” I protested, knowing full well that in the marriages among our class they were, and that a man with enough wealth—self-made or not—might be eager for the same.

“Fortunately, no. He wants his daughter to be happy.” His voice turned wry. “And fortunately, I do have two influential brothers-in-law with powerful connections.”

I frowned. “You are an excellent catch on your own. Any woman would be lucky to have you.”

“Thank you, Kiera. Though I do believe you’re a trifle biased.

” He sighed, tipping his head back to look up at the ornamental ceiling.

“I can’t blame Birnam for wanting to secure the best future for his daughter.

And frankly, if emphasizing my connections convinces him to accept my suit, then I will use whatever tools I have at my disposal. ”

“Then you have asked?”

“Not yet…”

He broke off as Jeffers entered, setting the tea tray on the table.

“Why not yet?” I prodded as the butler left, picking up the teapot to pour for my brother.

“I wanted to be sure. And…I suppose I wanted your opinion.”

I paused to look up at him in confusion. “But I haven’t met her.” I straightened, setting the teapot down. “Or is she coming to Edinburgh?”

Trevor smiled. “I suppose what I wanted your opinion about was her father.” He held up a hand. “And before you say it, I know you haven’t met him either. But what is your opinion of the fact that, well…he’s in trade?”

“But you’re not marrying Miss Birnam’s father?”

His expression turned long-suffering, and I realized I was being rather thickheaded. “Right. Of course. You might not be marrying Mr. Birnam, but he will still be an important part of your life.”

“Hasn’t Lord Gage affected your marriage?”

I huffed a laugh as I nodded. “Both for the good and the bad. Which was nothing less than I expected.” I tilted my head. “Actually, I expected more bad. Mercifully, I was wrong.” I spoke earnestly. “But whatever the possibility, I still would have married Sebastian. Ten times over.”

Trevor’s gaze was soft with memories. No doubt recalling how I’d turned down Gage’s first proposal and how he’d been the one to convince me that a life with Gage was far preferable to a life without him.

“Only you know how you feel about Miss Birnam. But if it’s the same as what I feel for Sebastian. The same as what Alana feels for Philip. If you believe she’s worthy of your regard.” I lifted my hands. “Then I don’t think you need to hear anything from me. Though I can’t wait to meet her.”

I knew my brother. I knew his heart. He had grown tremendously in the past few years in wisdom and fortitude. But his heart had always been kind and true. I trusted him if he said he’d met the woman who was right for him.