Page 85 of Lovers' Dance

Matt arched an eyebrow at his brother-in-law. His tone was dry. “Do you see them anywhere?”

Hannah smacked Matt’s arm, narrowing her grey-blue eyes at him. “The girls are probably getting to know her.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of. I love my nieces, but they never shut up,” Matt drawled, and Hannah gently smacked his arm.

“She seems nice, Matty,” Hannah said softly. There was a touch of uncertainty in her voice.

Matt winced at her use of his childhood nickname, but smiled at his only sister. “She is, Hannah.”

Hannah peered at his face, as if searching for some indication of how he truly felt.

Stuart cleared his throat softly. Not wanting to be left out of the conversation, he added, “Adam mentioned something about her owning a dance company. Is she classically trained?”

Matt shot him a suspicious look as he nodded. “She attended the School of American Ballet. You can ask her about it when she comes down.” He glanced at the double doors. “If she can escape your girls.”

“Stuart, darling.” Hannah dimpled up at her husband. “Go see what the girls are up to. I want to have a word with Matt in private.”

Stuart promptly moved away. Matt covered his amused chuckle with a fake cough. Hannah might no longer carry the Bradley name, but she was a Bradley through and through. She wore the pants in her marriage.

“So,” she began, twirling the champagne flute between her well-manicured fingers.

“So,” Matt repeated, eyeing her intently. Hannah could be outrageous sometimes. He hoped now was not one of those times.

“It must be awkward for you.” Hannah glanced over in the direction of the Gillifords speaking to their grandfather. “What with Louisa being here.”

Matt shrugged. “It’s unexpected. Bearable, but definitely unexpected.”

Hannah nodded. “Yes, I have no idea what Mother was thinking, but you know how persistent she can be. She’s not pleased with the recent publicity.”

“Neither am I, Hannah,” Matt said curtly.

Hannah didn’t react to the obvious change in his demeanour. Instead, she reached up with her free hand and fixed the collar of his shirt. “Does Madison know about your past with Louisa?”

Matt felt a spurt of alarm. “No, and I’d rather she didn’t.”

Hannah scoffed lightly. “I can’t see how it can be avoided, Matt. They’ll be seated at the same table, and you know what Louisa Gilliford is like. Completely obsessed with you. She’s determined to have you and our name.” Hannah waved that unsettling comment away to say, “Adam told me he had dinner at your place in Kensington last night, with Madison.” That uncertain air returned to hover around her.

Matt simply waited for her to continue with whatever she was getting at while his mind frantically tried to work out a way of explaining his past relationship to Madi.

“He mentioned something you may have said.”

Matt’s mouth tightened slightly.

Hannah noticed, but she forged on. “Do you honestly feel that strongly about this woman, Matthew?”

Matt pondered his sister’s words for a moment, then said the only thing he could, “Yes, I do.”

She scrutinized his face for a few minutes. Matt held her unwavering gaze and grinned like a schoolboy.

“I hope she’s worth it.”

“She is,” Matt informed her, still grinning.

Hannah cocked her head at him. “Would you like me to speak to our parents on your behalf?”

Matt shook his head. “I am far from being a child anymore, Hannah. You don’t have to intercede on my behalf. Thank you, though. Don’t tell Adam, but you’re my favourite sibling.”

She chuckled and swatted his arm. “If that were true, you wouldn’t have protested so much when Stuart made known his intentions to marry me all those years ago. And you would spend more time with the girls. They hardly see you.”

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