Page 6 of Highland Wishes And Dreams
Now was not the time to pursue Galina. He would do Wen proud, and think about his future at the end of the twelve months of mourning.
As they trotted into the stable yard, he could not help himself. He vaulted from his horse and helped Galina dismount. He marveled at her slim waist and even when her feet were firmly on the ground his hands remained on her hips and he stood looking down at her. At his stare she licked her lips and fire ignited in his groin. He watched her chest rise and fall, her breathing becoming faster. How long they stood there like that he could not tell, so caught up in this new vision of Galina.
“Thank you for helping me dismount, Finn, but I need to get on. The christening…”
Finn dropped his hands and stood back. “Of course. I must find Andrew anyway.”
A bleak look flashed across her face before she turned and made her way into the house. He stood watching her departure willing her to turn around. If she turned to look at him, she was interested in him. He would know. He’d almost given up hope when, just as she was about to step inside, she peered over her shoulder at him and he smiled. When she smiled back his world burst into color.
Now he needed to find Andrew but not just about the ring. About Galina too. Finn wasn’t stupid. He would wait until after the christening to talk with his friend about the ring. He hoped he could get Galina to tell him what pertinent fact she was withholding about the ring before then.
Chapter 5
Galina knocked on Andrew’s study door and didn’t wait for an answer before entering. She needed to talk with Andrew before Finn did. “Andrew, we need to talk.”
She drew up short. Her brother was not alone. Praise be. He was with Mr. Fisher the estate manager. It was wonderful to see her brother taking an interest. Mr. Fisher had been frustrated with her abilities, but someone had to provide guidance to the man while Andrew was indisposed.
“Lady Galina, a pleasure to see you.” Mr. Fisher greeted her. “I was just explaining to his lordship what a wonderful job you have been doing in his absence.”
“I’m sure I made all manner of mistakes.”
Andrew flashed her a warm smile. “Nonsense. Can we talk later or is it urgent? I need to finish going over some reports with Mr. Fisher before he leaves.”
She waved her hand in the air. “It can wait. I’ll be up in the nursery for a while. Come and find me when you are free.”
She left and closed the study door behind her. Biting her lip, she decided to take the opportunity to see if Andrew still wore the ring round his neck. She would seek out Larry and ask, and also search Andrew’s draws to see if the ring was there. If it wasn’t, it was most likely round his neck. Which did not bode well for handing the ring back.
She took some towels with her to Andrew’s room just in case she was caught snooping. Luckily, Larry was absent and she took her time searching. As she’d thought, the ring was not here.
She looked at the clock on Andrew’s mantle and realized she needed to get on. Mrs. Wilson would want to discuss the food for the christening. She stepped out of Andrew’s bedchamber and collided with a solid wall of muscle.
“I beg your pardon…”
Her words faded as she looked into Finn’s blue eyes.
“Are you lost?” She knew Finn was not lost. He had no need to be in this wing of the castle.
“I was searching for Andrew,” Finn finally said.
“He’s in his study. Come I’ll show you the way.”
Finn stood hesitating. He threw a glance towards Andrew’s bedchamber. She could see him trying to think up a reason to be free to search Andrew’s room and she wondered if he’d come out and ask her if he could.
The he turned and took her arm with a sinfully charming smile. “Let’s go visit my nephew.”
“That’s where I was going,” and she smiled back willing the dread rioting in the pit of her stomach to settle. As they strolled back to the main staircase she blurted out. “Promise me you’ll wait until after the christening to talk to Andrew about the ring. I couldn’t bear it if Jake’s day was—upset—in any way.”
Finn looked down and studied her face. “I promise not to mention the ring until after the baptism. But I wish you’d tell me what has you so concerned. Even though your brother has decided to face his future, you still think Andrew will deny my request. I know Andrew. He must have a good reason.”
“I wouldn’t know.” At his raised eyebrow she added. “I don’t have his confidences. Not since Wen came along. She was his world.”
And therein lay the problem. How did she explain to Finn, a man who likely had never experienced, or looked for the love that Wen and Andrew shared, what this loss has done to her brother? How could Finn possibly understand the gaping wound in Andrew? He wasn’t here each day to see how Andrew’s smile lit up the minute Wen walked in the room. Finn hadn’t seen the secret smiles, the brushing of hands, the stolen kisses… She had, and it broke her heart to see Andrew suffer, but she knew the warm memories would feed his soul for the rest of his life, until he could let Wen go just a little and marry again.
She let go of Finn so he could greet his nephew.
Galina watched Finn with the wee babe. He was a natural. He’d make a wonderful father. Finn caught her staring at him. “He looks so much like Wen, doesn’t he?”
She merely nodded. “He has her manor too. He’s such a good, happy babe.”
