Page 33 of Sense and Suitability
“I’ve just learned something quite important.” Simon passed the letter to Will.
Will’s face grew serious, absorbing the news, and Simon resisted a smile. Perhaps he had misjudged his brother’s disposition as retreat rather than a silent plea for involvement.
“Aunt Agatha is arriving at Ravenscross today. We should inform your sisters so they can make a good impression, and alert Mrs. Patterson. Don’t you agree?”
The boy looked from Simon to the page, blinked a few times, and then the smallest smile creased one corner of his mouth. “Yes, sir.”
“It would be quicker if we divide the tasks.”
Will’s smile grew. “I could find Lottie and Fia.”
“Excellent.” Warmth branched through Simon’s chest at that smile. “And then let us meet in my study to discuss further?”
“Aunt Agatha will want the Blue Room, sir.” Will offered back the letter. “She said it was her favorite last time.”
“Then we’ll make sure Mrs. Patterson knows. Thank you, Will.”
Will nodded, his smile now fully fledged, before darting off.
After informing Mrs. Patterson, who always seemed to glow at the mention of Aunt Agatha’s visits, Simon tidied his study, the library, and a corner of the sitting room before returning to the study to await his siblings, ready to strategize.
Not two steps into the room, he came to a sudden halt.
There stood Mrs. Patterson and Will, their expressions grave. Fia was there too, more preoccupied with a worm in her hand and what appeared to be a twig in her hair than any current crisis.
“What is it?” But as soon as he asked, Simon knew. One child wasn’t among the group.
“Lottie’s missing.” Will swallowed, his voice growing small again.
“And that’s not all, sir,” Mrs. Patterson added, her hands wringing together in a manner that tightened Simon’s chest. “So is Zeus.”
“Zeus?” Simon’s face went cold. “Zeus is missing too?”
Fia, seizing her moment to contribute, piped up, “I thought Zeus was your horse, Simon.”
Simon exchanged a look with Mrs. Patterson, her pale countenance reflecting his own dread.
Lottie had never dared to ride Simon’s spirited stallion. She preferred Cleopatra, her steady mare. But Zeus was built for speed and distance, suggesting Lottie had ambitions to venture farther than her previous escapades.
His shoulders collapsed under the weight of the realization as he turned and sprinted toward the hallway.
Lord, help me.
He couldn’t manage another missing sister.
Chapter 7
“To be perfectly honest, Emme, I’m not entirely sure what to make of him.” Thomas rode alongside her, his gelding a striking golden brown next to her black mare, Portia. “Tortured, perhaps? He’s certainly not the cad I expected.”
Emme frowned and fixed her gaze ahead. “He has a history as a flirt, especially up to two years ago, before... before—”
“Meeting you?” Thomas flashed a crooked grin. “Reputations are slippery things, often shaped by the tongues that spread them.”
“How philosophical.” Emme raised a brow, but he was right. How much of Simon’s reputation was based on truth?
“And maturity,” Thomas continued, waving a hand as though to encompass the entire notion. “Or rather, the right connections can inspire a man to change in many ways.”
“But changefulness can be just as fickle.” Emme sighed, settling the gift basket between her stomach and the pommel of her saddle. Her riding cane rested within easy reach, but Portia knew the path toward St. Groves—and today the Deans’ house. “What if his next whim changes him back to a rogue?”
