Page 86 of The Duke's Mysterious Lover
The man stood there, lower jaw slack, staring at her while his daughter tried her damnedest to yank his hair from his head. Across the room, Fawkes and Griffin both looked equally shocked, while Bull looked as smug as Thorne did.
Then again, the lad had been there not only for Kit’s confession of her sire’s identity, but their successful foray into Father’s home.
It was Georgia who reacted first, standing from the settee with ladylike grace and crossing the room. She stopped in front of Kit, studying her.
For a panicked moment, Kit wondered if the lady wasexpecting her to curtsey. Georgia was a duchess, after all, and Kit was a valet. Wearingtrousers, for fook’s sake. The silence elongated, painful, crushing—
But before she could decide how she was expected to react, Georgia smiled. It was a bit reserved, a bit hesitant, but it was definitely a smile. “Then allow me to welcome you to London, cousin.”
It was Kit’s turn to gape, especially when Georgia opened her arms for what turned out to be a hug. Kit leaned into the embrace, and even returned it, although it was stilted and awkward at best.
Then Georgia’s sister was there. Lady Danielle was far more exuberant than her sister, throwing her arms around Kit with a breathless little laugh of excitement, making it easier to hug her. She grabbed Kit’s hands and beamed up at her.
“Youmustcall me Ellie, please? And I will call you Kit and we can be friends. Georgia thinks the same, of course, it is just that she has been stuck in remote Endymion for so long she has forgotten what it is to miss family and friends.”
“I have not,” snorted Georgia.
Ellie was still beaming. “Acousin. We have two cousins on Mother’s side, but they are ever so much older than us, and Father rarely allowed us to see them. I amdelightedto meet you, dear Kit!” Another hug—one which left Kit breathless from emotion rather than sensation—and Ellie continued to beam. “You do not look much like Uncle William.”
As Kit nodded, a bit dazed, Georgia shook her head. “His hair was redder when he was younger, I remember Father saying that once.”
Unconsciously, Kit’s fingers rose to touch her curls. “My—My mother has lighter hair. She always said I look enough like her that my father would recognize me.”
Behind Georgia, her husband snorted with a scowl. “I doubt he’d recognize ye in trousers.”
“Yes.” Kit smiled crookedly at her newfound cousins. “That was the idea.”
The noise Ellie made was like a squeal as she slipped her arm through Kit’s. “I cannotwaitto hear all about this. How did you come to Thorne’s house?”
“She’s his valet,” Bull offered smugly, flipping a gold coin across his knuckles.
His father smacked his shoulder. “Dinnae tell falsehoods.”
The coin had wobbled, but Bull snatched it from the air with a defiantHah! “I’m no’ lying, Thorne hired Kit as his valet. She’s also a brilliant violinist—ye get that talent from yer mother, I assume?”
Since the lad was addressing her, Kit shrugged. “I assume so. Mother encouraged my musical practice, and sometimes I accompany her. It was a way for the two of us to spend time together when I was younger, when Mother was not quite so famous.”
“Oooh, I cannotwaitto hear this whole story!” Ellie announced. “Fawkes says we are staying here, so I absolutelywillbe stealing you away for tea and gossip, cousin dear.”
Kit felt herself flushing and looked to Thorne to gauge his reaction. He was grinning happily, and she realized hewashappy. Happy forher. Happy she’d found family?
No, happy she’d found a pair of cousins who were open and accepting. How could Kit be anything but happy? She took a deep breath, then squeezed Ellie’s arm. “I look forward to it, cousin.”
Georgia, albeit more reserved, was still smiling happily. “I do hope I may join. I’ll send Demon and Rosie ahead—”
“Of course!” Ellie grabbed her sister’s hand and pulled her closer, until it felt as if it was only the three of them in the room. “Please say you are not cross, Kit, for me attacking you like this?” Her smile had turned hopeful. “I know your storiesare your own, but Georgia and I are just so utterly delighted to meet you.”
Her offered friendship was precious. So unexpected.
Kit’s smile was genuine as she reached for Georgia’s other hand. “I didn’t expect to meet more family in London, but your welcome means more to me than you’ll know. Thank you.”
“Cousins,” whispered Georgia, almost reverently.
“Cousins,” repeated Kit, more firmly.
There was the sound of a throat clearing across the room, and Kit looked over to see Griffin staring at the ceiling, hands clasped behind his back. “Och, well, now that the emotional shite is out of the way, can we get on with business before we all go all blubbery?”
Bull, who had thrown himself into one of the large chairs, one leg hooked over the arm, smiled charmingly as he flicked the coin nonchalantly. “Dinnae mind Gruff. He’s actually trying no’ to cry.”
