Page 19 of The Secrets He Keeps

Chapter Six

“Your brother liveshere?” Erik asked as Pendragon’s carriage pulled to a stop in front of a palatial mansion in the heart of Mayfair.

The lady seated beside him tossed him a smirking smile as a groom opened the carriage door. “He does.”

Erik stepped from the vehicle then turned to offer her his hand. As typical, there was a very slight hesitation before she slid her leather-clad fingers along his palm and allowed him to assist her to the pavement. “He is an aristocrat?”

Her laugh was a delicate snort. “Far from. But he did marry one.” She lifted a fine brow. “Now you understand why I invited you.”

“I might,” he replied with a subtle grin. He’d suspected the evening would be rather interesting, but he was getting a sense he’d underestimated by a significant degree.

They were let into the house by a footman the size and approximate shape of a bull. Tall and solid with beefy shoulders and ham-sized fists. The grand entry hall was warm and welcoming, with gleaming parquet floors, rich mahogany wainscoting, and the scent of evergreen filling the air. Fresh boughs of Christmas greenery wound around the stairway banister and hung in heavy swags from the crown molding. Carefully placed candles lent a warm glow to the scene.

A very proper-looking butler greeted them next. After taking their outerwear, he led them to a well-lit drawing room, where festive ivy, holly, and mistletoe formed an enormous wreath trimmed with red ribbon that hung over the fireplace. Pausing in the doorway, the butler announced them as “Miss Callista Hale and guest, Mr. Erik Maxwell.”

Callista. The name snaked delicately through Erik’s mind. Most beautiful.

“Lissy!”

A great hulk of a man came striding forward, essentially blocking out the rest of the room and any other occupants from Erik’s view. He was larger even than the footman had been, though with his long tawny hair falling loose about his shoulders and his muscled physique, he resembled a lion rather than a bull. It became apparent he was Pendragon’s brother once Erik caught sight of the man’s green eyes a few shades darker than hers. “I wasn’t sure you’d come.”

“I got the impression my attendance wasn’t optional,” she replied dryly.

Her brother flashed a wide grin. “It wasn’t. But I’m still glad you made it.” He leaned forward to mutter quietly, “It won’t be as dreadful as you’re thinking.” Then he straightened and jerked his thumb in Erik’s direction without bothering to look at him. “Who’s this?”

The gesture told Erik a few things about the man; he had genuine affection for his sister and that included a protective streak that she either ignored or tolerated. And he was even more brash and crude than she ever allowed herself to be.

Pendragon slid him a sly glance from narrowed eyes. The corner of her mouth twisted upward as she replied, “This is Mr. Erik Maxwell. He owns a new gentleman’s club in town and he’s trying to seduce me.”

Her brother gave rough snort as he flicked his glance to Erik. “Good luck with that, mate.” The tone clearly indicated he expected abject failure, but he extended his hand and gave a firm handshake. “Mason Hale. Welcome.”

“Thank you, Mr. Hale. I apologize for the intrusion.”

Hale gave a shrug while a female voice spoke from behind him. “Not at all, Mr. Maxwell. We are quite happy to have you.” A young woman with dark auburn hair and even darker brown eyes stepped around Hale’s great form to offer a polite smile. Though she was nearly dwarfed by the man beside her, she possessed a quietly fierce presence that suggested she could hold her own against far more intimidating adversaries.

“My wife,” Hale stated in a hard tone of warning as he slipped his arm around her slim waist. “Lady Katherine Hale.”

Erik gave a proper bow. “A pleasure, my lady.”

After giving a nod of acknowledgement, the young lady of the house turned her attention to Pendragon and stated with genuine feeling, “Thank you so much for joining us. The children will be down shortly. They were very much looking forward to your visit.”

Looking back to Erik, she added with an arched brow, “I hope you have no aversion to the company of children, Mr. Maxwell.”

“Of course not,” he replied readily.

“Excellent. You’ll likely discover our family prefers not to follow all the strict rules of social engagement.”

“An understatement, luv,” Hale muttered gruffly before pressing a kiss to his wife’s temple. “You married me, after all.”

The lady tossed him a glance of stern reprimand though her lips twitched with humor. Then she turned to gesture toward a seating arrangement placed before the room’s enormous fireplace. “Please make yourselves comfortable.”

“A drink, Lissy?” Hale asked as he started toward a liquor service in the corner.

Erik was surprised by her allowance of the nickname. He suspected that if Mr. Hale was subtly protective of his sister, then she was just as subtly indulgent of him.

“Claret, if you please.”

“I’ll have one, as well,” Lady Katherine said as she led the way and took a graceful position in one of the tall wingback chairs.

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