Page 9 of The Tempting Minx (Fate of the Worthingtons 1)

MAGGIE’S HAND TRAILED along the railing as she hurried down the staircase. She hoped to catch Graham and Lord Dracott before they left for the morning. In her younger days, she would have hopped on the banister and slid down, reaching the bottom faster. But she wished for Lord Dracott to view her as a mature lady, not as the hoyden everyone referred to her as.

She had missed them the past three mornings since she was out with Reese on their morning rides through Hyde Park. But Reese had an early morning appointment and couldn’t ride today, which left her able to spend a little extra time on her appearance. Once she reached the bottom step, she smoothed her hands along her skirts and patted her hair, assuring herself that she was presentable.

Maggie scowled when she noticed Lord Ravencroft holding court, amusing her mother and sisters with some far-fetched tale as she strolled into the breakfast room. Graham and Lord Dracott were deep in discussion, paying her no attention on her arrival. The old Maggie would have flounced into breakfast, crying over another boring luncheon she must attend. However, today she would act differently. She would attempt to act like a lady by sipping her tea and nibbling on a scone, even though she longed for a slab of bacon and eggs.

Maggie slid a plain scone onto her plate and sat down next to Lord Dracott. After the servant poured her tea, she added sugar and honey, letting it cool before she attempted a drink. She cut the scone the way her mother did and took a small bite. Her stomach rumbled in protest at the meager offering. She pressed a hand over her stomach, hoping no one had overheard.

“Here, Mags, take my bacon.” Graham leaned over Dracott to toss the strips onto her plate. “No need to go hungry. We have plenty.”

Maggie blushed a fiery red. She closed her eyes, counting until she reached a level of patience to deal with her brother. She should have known her family wouldn’t allow her to make a memorable presentation toward Lord Dracott. They would forever see her as Mags, the uncontrollable sibling they tormented with their teasing.

Maggie pasted on a smile. “Thank you, Graham.”

Maggie took a bite of the bacon. She knew not to cause a spectacle because it would only prompt more teasing. Her brother appeared satisfied and continued his conversation with Dracott, while Maggie sat in morbid embarrassment that her stomach had rumbled loudly enough for the gentleman she tried to impress to have heard.

The end of the table erupted in laughter, with her mother gushing over Lord Ravencroft. Maggie glared at the earl. She understood how Noel had fallen for his pretentious charm. But Eden and her mother, too? She thought they were wiser. Didn’t they see through his false charm to understand the man he truly was? A man she needed to reveal before Noel spoke her wedding vows to him and became stuck in a miserable marriage.

“One would think you dislike Lord Ravencroft,” Dracott whispered.

“Because I do,” Maggie stated.

“May I inquire as to why?”

Maggie narrowed her gaze, contemplating if she could trust him. However, if she told him and he betrayed her, then Lord Dracott wasn’t the gentleman she thought he was.

She frowned. “I am not sure yet. I cannot shake this sense that he hides something and his intentions are not honorable where Noel is concerned.”

Dracott took a sip of tea, trying to hide his reaction to Maggie’s opinion of Ravencroft. “Your concerns are understandable. The sisterly bond you hold with Lady Noel only wishes for her happiness with her marriage. And for you to guarantee her happiness, you must hold satisfaction that she made the right choice with Lord Ravencroft.”

Maggie looked surprised that he understood her. “Yes, exactly.”

Dracott nodded at the earl. “Perhaps if you spent more time in his company, you might see how genuine his intentions are.”

Maggie scoffed. “More than a minute alone with him tells me enough.”

“If I were to look into his activities, would that help to ease your mind?” Dracott asked.

“You would do that for me?”

“Yes,” Dracott answered.

He would do anything for Maggie. He walked a dangerous line by agreeing to look into Ravencroft. He didn’t need to watch his brother to understand his true character. Dracott held firsthand knowledge of how his brother went to any lengths to protect the people he cared for. While he didn’t agree on the basis of Ravencroft’s engagement to Lady Noel, his brother would see to the lady’s happiness to the best of his capability. Now he only needed to convince Maggie of Ravencroft’s honorable intentions before she discovered his more dishonorable ones.

“Are you ready, Dracott? I told Ralston we would arrive at the office by ten o’clock,” Graham asked.

Dracott nodded. “Thank you, Lady Worthington, for another pleasant breakfast.”

Lady Worthington smiled kindly at him. “You’re welcome. We enjoy your company.”

Dracott stood and slid his chair underneath the table. “A pleasure, as always, Lady Margaret.”

Maggie smiled at him.

“Do you gentleman mind if I join you? I have an appointment nearby your office,” Ravencroft asked.

“Not at all,” Graham answered.

Dracott stood behind Maggie, waiting for Ravencroft to say his farewells. He was close enough to sweep his fingers across the back of her neck. To rest his hand on her shoulder. To bend his head and whisper the goodbye he wanted to express, one held with promises of how he would kiss her when they met later. So many promises he ached to share with her.

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