Page 44

Chapter Twenty-One

A nna hesitated only a fraction of a moment before allowing Caden to lead her into the small, luxuriously appointed parlor.

She held her chin high, silently commending herself for maintaining a calm veneer in the face of her audience—an earl, his heir, a future countess, and an earl’s sister, blue bloods all, through and through.

She studied the earl as they made their approach.

As a young girl, she had, on occasion, seen him, say when he frequented the village market, or rode one of his many horses, or took the road past their cottage atop his dashing barouche.

Yet she’d never met the man, despite the fact his grandson had befriended her, and her family resided not a five minute carriage ride away.

Thanks to that, or perhaps due to her mother who always cautioned her against trusting the nobility, she imagined him as aloof and disdainful of those whose social status placed them beneath him—which encompassed almost everyone.

Now she weighed her childhood image against the man himself .

Broad shouldered and tall, he stood—presided?

—at the marble mantle, the unapologetic master of his domain.

Marked with age by his lined skin and white hair—albeit, a full head of it—he nonetheless emanated a keen, nearly palpable sense of authority.

But she detected none of the haughty and forbidding characteristics she’d anticipated.

Instead, he emanated strength tempered with a kindness and warmth that set her immediately at ease.

Zeke, sitting in an armchair near the earl, was another story entirely. The carefully neutral expression on his handsome face did not disguise his distrust for her. Something icy in that royal blue stare said if she intended to lure his baby brother into harm’s way, she had another think coming.

She could tell him she held little sway over Caden and his too-noble ideals, but she sensed the attempt would be akin to arguing with a brick wall. At least to some degree, she understood the issue Caden had with his older brother.

Caden. His arm felt so very solid under her hand, promising safety, the heat from his body, offering comfort.

But he was no pussycat to be toyed with. The sleek, powerful energy he emitted with his every move spoke of the essence of the man at her side—one hundred percent alpha male—which explained the trouble his elder brother had with him .

He halted in front of the earl. “Miss Anna Masters, may I introduce the infamous Earl of Claybourne, otherwise known as my grandfather. My lord, Miss Masters.” He paused. “My betrothed.”

A split second after he spoke, Lady Kitty’s joyous, “ Yes ,” pierced the air.

Zeke, the earl, and, a quick glance told her, Caden, all fought grins over the lady’s cheeky exclamation .

Though inwardly gratified by the lady’s show of approval, Anna’s cheeks burned. How could he put her on the spot like this?

On the other hand, hadn’t he told her, as far as he and the family were concerned, they were well and truly engaged?

The earl took her hand. Blue eyes, a shade darker than Caden’s but not so deep as Zeke’s, twinkled at her. There was no other word for it.

He pressed a kiss to her fingers and expressed his pleasure at meeting her, charming her and setting her instantly at ease.

Caden thought he took after his father? Bah. He was every inch his grandfather’s grandson.

The earl extricated her hand from Caden’s arm and led her toward a tall, ornate crystal floor lamp.

“Let me have a look at the beauty you’ve brought home to us, Caden.” He studied her face, and a bit of her discomfort returned. “You are quite correct, Kitty, love, she does have the most extraordinary eyes.”

Kitty appeared at Anna’s side as if by magic. “Exotic, don’t you agree?”

Anna sputtered, flustered beyond measure. “Oh, I don’t think—”

“Exotic, and…oddly familiar.” He cocked his head, still contemplating her face.

Curiosity overtook her embarrassment. “Oh? Did you know my mother, perhaps? My family did reside nearby many a summer.”

“Yes, I’m aware,” the earl replied. “Your parents let the old game-master’s cottage for a time.”

Zeke unfolded from his chair, moving to stand beside Caden.

“You mentioned you'd met them on several occasions, but that was years ago. You recall her mother’s face so clearly? I hope I’m half as sharp when I reach your age, old man.

While I remember a pretty, dark-haired woman toiling in the garden and the occasional sighting of a lanky, studious looking man, I’d be hard pressed to give any better description than that. ”

The earl’s focus shifted to his older grandson.

“I never said I recalled them, per se. I said she looks familiar.” He grinned at Anna.

“Perhaps I am thinking of your mother, or perhaps a painting hanging in a gallery. Who knows? You’ll have to forgive the mental cogitations of an…

” he cleared his throat and eyed Zeke meaningfully, “… old man when confronted with a young beautiful woman.”

She smiled. “You did meet my parents, my lord? I never knew.”

“I invited your family to visit on several occasions. Most times I received word your father was away on business.”

“He did attend frequent lectures and the sort.” She nibbled her lower lip, then froze, hoping Caden had missed the so-called tell. She hadn’t exactly lied; her father had attended many lectures. Just not during their time in Derby.

If she wagered a guess, her mother had manufactured the excuses to beg off attending.

She had never been overly social, especially when it came to the nobility, for whom she had a distinct distrust. She frequently warned Anna off of them.

Off Caden. Guard yourself with the likes of him, Gloriana.

With the nobility, the title always comes first, even before family.

When you’re grown, you’ll understand. Best to find a good man.

A loyal man. Steer clear of the likes of them…

She gave herself a mental shake, dragging her thoughts from the too-vivid memory.

“Staying up on all the latest scientific discoveries is an admirable trait in one’s physician. Your parents did come to tea once—one afternoon while you and Caden explored the countryside, no doubt.”

“Oh?” They’d never mentioned.

The earl’s gaze found Caden, bespeaking a deep fondness that endeared him to her all the more. “As I recall, on those months your family resided in the cottage, that’s all the boy ever did. Especially the later years.”

Following the earl’s pronouncement, a simultaneous snort came from Zeke, and a groan from Caden.

Anna flicked a glance toward Lady Kitty who gazed back at her wearing a beaming I-told-you-so smile. Before she could staunch the reaction, something warm and wonderful flooded her chest and spread to all her extremities.

Her mother’s words came to her again. Don’t be charmed by the likes of that Claybourne boy. That sort always stick together, Glory, no matter what. With the nobility it’s the title above all—even each other. Even over family.

She shivered.

“Have you caught a chill, my dear?” the earl asked, concern evident in his eyes.

Now she knew where Caden got his too-keen powers of observation, too.

“Not at all.”

“Nevertheless.” He led her back toward the intimate seating area before the hearth, helping her on to the sofa. “Caden, be a good lad and call the footman to serve the champagne.”

“Certainly,” Caden murmured. He sent Anna a brief wink.

Anna arranged her skirts, discomfited by her ill-timed memories.

Her mother’s dire predictions had never amounted to anything.

Quite the opposite, in fact. Caden had proposed to her, for goodness sake, and hadn’t he risked his family’s censure bringing her here?

Hardly an example of putting the title first. So why did she suddenly fear the other shoe dangled, ready to drop ?

She was safe, welcomed by Caden’s family with open arms, with the possible exception of Zeke. As for Caden, he would never knowingly hurt her.

He settled beside her. He held two flutes of champagne, tiny bubbles rising to the rim. He handed her one.

Accepting the chilled crystal, she stamped down hard on her mother’s words and her own inner disquiet.

A footman distributed the remaining champagne flutes ’til everyone in the room held one. The earl took one armchair, Lady Lillian the other, and Kitty and Zeke moved to stand before the hearth.

Zeke wrapped an arm lightly around his future countess’s waist, then held his glass aloft. He met Anna’s, then Caden’s eyes.

“To the two of you. May you live a long and healthy life together, and,” he broke off and shifted his focus to his wife. Affection softened his expression.

Kitty’s answering gaze, equally lovelorn, had Anna stifling an urge to sigh aloud.

Zeke’s focus shifted back to Caden. Was Anna seeing things, or did his lashes glisten with a sheen of moisture?

He continued, voice gruff. “May marriage bring you the happiness and joy it has me. That is my wish for you.”

A lump tightened her throat as everyone in the room heralded Zeke’s toast with Here, here. The backs of her eyes stinging, she sipped her champagne. Its sweet effervescence softened the hard constriction.

Caden’s warm palm gripped her free hand and squeezed.

Her eyes met his. “Here, here,” he whispered, his blue eyes filled with tender promise.

Hope and belonging and so much love rose up in her it was all she could do to not confess her heart to him right then and there. Heaven help her. What was she to do?

** *

With the plates cleared, the ladies adjourned the dining hall for the music room, leaving Caden, Zeke, and the earl to enjoy an after dinner brandy.

Dinner tonight, sans guests, was an informal enough event that no one would have objected if Caden, or any of the three men, had opted to escort the ladies into the parlor or out on the terrace.