Page 40 of Revealing a Rogue
Landon moved again, this time back to his left, his heel landing on her toes.
“Ow!” Bronwyn slapped her hand over her mouth. Blast! Hiding behind her husband was not the first impression Bronwyn wanted to make on Lady Grace.
A giggle escaped Lady Grace before she asked, “Aren’t you going to make the proper introductions?”
Bronwyn and Landon simultaneously answered, “No.” Their adamant reply hung in the air.
Apparently, her husband was content to remain silent. Bronwyn cleared her throat and said, “I apologize, Lady Grace. Landon and I didn’t mean to raise our voices.”
Landon added, “Harrington is currently elsewhere.”
“If you should see my husband, would you be so kind as to inform him I would like to have a word with him?”
Interesting. Lady Grace had employed the same approach with Landon that Theo often utilized in order to obtain the cooperation of another. She had phrased a command in the form of a question. Bronwyn made a mental note to remember the strategy, for it must be reasonably effective if both ladies employed it.
Landon answered, “I’m not one of your agents you can order about.”
Her husband’s curt reply was not what Lady Grace deserved. Bronwyn poked him hard in the middle of his back, causing Landon to roll forward onto his toes and take a half step forward. “Landon, don’t be daft!”
Theo’s voice came flooding to the forefront of her mind.Men are partial to honey and highly averse to vinegar.
She tried again. “Landon, will you please ensure Lord Harrington findshis wifein the hothouse.”
Landon nodded.
“My thanks to you…both.” Lady Grace’s skirts rustled, and this time Bronwyn was ready for Landon’s movements and mirrored them so as not to reveal herself.
The door closed, and Landon whirled about with a broad grin on his face.
Chapter Nineteen
Finally, Bronwyn’s true nature had reappeared. Confirmation his efforts each night were not futile and offered more than pure carnal pleasure.
The dimple that typically wielded no power over his wife’s constitution appeared with his grin, and the frown that had marred her pretty features was replaced with a smile.
“You were magnificent!” Landon wrapped Bronwyn up in a hug and kissed the top of her head.
He wanted to twirl her about and celebrate. He couldn’t wait to introduce her to everyone at dinner. “Theo and Mary may still be at tea. Did you want to join them and become acquainted with the other ladies before I announce our union at dinner?”
The gentle curve of Bronwyn’s lips thinned into a line. “I’d prefer to take this opportunity to discuss a few issues which have plagued me since our arrival here.”
With her days centered upon the ridiculous etiquette lessons, Landon hadn’t even considered she may have other concerns. “What matters have you worried?”
Bronwyn moved to occupy Archbroke’s worn leather chair behind the desk. She motioned for him to sit across from her on the other side of the table. Bronwyn’s relaxed, calm demeanor portended trouble. The muscles in the back of his neck and shoulders tensed.
The minx leaned forward, distracting him. Lacing her fingers, she rested her hands in front of her on the desk and met Landon’s gaze. “All of the Network elders, except Waterford, declined Lord Archbroke’s invitation to attend the gathering.”
“They are following your dad’s example and standing in solidarity behind his decision not to attend.”
“Does it not concern you that a PORF’s request was not immediately seen to?”
“The act of defiance in this instance is understandable.”
“How so? Those very elders taught me, it is of the utmost importance to obey and assist all PORFs no matter our own personal beliefs, for we were not always privy to all the facts.”
“Your dad’s demand that you receive the mark as soon as possible is out of genuine concern for you. I cannot blame the man for his actions, for if you were my daughter, I too would have declined Archbroke’s invitation.”
“Reasonable or not, his act of defiance is not acceptable. I will not let him, nor the other elders, undermine your leadership nor the requests of the other PORFs. I’d like to send correspondence to my dad reminding him of his oath and pledge to honorallPORF requests and inform him we expect him and the other elders to be present by week’s end.”
