Page 22 of Tempting the Earl

The earl’s hesitation drew Ainsworth’s gaze and she noted the brief flash of tension in his features before they smoothed again.

“Our brother Mr. Thomas resides in Wales. I’ve written to him and received a response in which he very strongly rejected my invitation to meet.”

Caillie frowned. “That’s a shame. Did he give an explanation?”

There was only a slight pause during which the earl’s gaze flickered briefly to Ainsworth before he replied. “Considering the disparaging attitude our father displayed toward his children in his lifetime, it’s not entirely unexpected that Mr. Thomas would prefer not to acknowledge any connection to such a legacy.”

The lass was thoughtful. “I suppose I can understand his reluctance, but I cannae believe he’s not at least a wee bit curious.”

“One can only hope, I suppose.”

“You willnae give up on him, will you?” There was an undeniable note of confidence in the lass’s tone as she gazed up at the earl.

Ainsworth’s heart twisted at the sound of it. In such a short time, the earl had already managed to earn Caillie’s high esteem. Something that typically didn’t happen easily.

The firm line of the earl’s mouth softened. “Not yet, anyway.”

“And our other brother?”

The earl glanced down before answering. “Mr. Owen has not yet been located. It seems his nineteen years of life have been rather difficult.”

“Difficult how?” Caillie asked.

“We know he was born here in London, but he lost his mother when he was still an infant. Several years ago, he ran away from the third orphanage he’d been placed in and news of his whereabouts since has been vague and uncertain.”

“How can you be certain he’s still alive?” Ainsworth asked quietly, curious and concerned despite herself.

When the earl’s blue eyes met hers, she felt an odd tug in her chest. She quickly suppressed it.

“Hope,” he replied simply. “And a few clues that suggest he found his way into a street gang which may have provided the sort of protection and security necessary to survive the East End.” He looked down at Caillie. “I won’t give up on him either. We just have to keep looking.”

The lass agreed with a firm nod and an expression far too pragmatic for one her age. After a moment, she gave in to Bramble’s tugging on the leash and began to walk a bit more quickly, leaving Ainsworth and the earl to fall in step with each other several paces behind.

The remaining distance to the park was once again shrouded in an awkward silence broken only by occasional instruction voiced by the earl to keep Caillie leading them in the right direction. Ainsworth briefly considered making some effort toward small talk but then decided against it. The earl had been the one to insist upon joining them. He should then also carry the responsibility of conversation, which he clearly wasn’t inclined to do.

“My goodness,” Caillie exclaimed as they finally turned into the park and saw the expansive green space spread out before them. “How did they manage to keep so much nature in the middle of such a huge city? Is that a pond?”

Even Ainsworth couldn’t keep her astonishment to herself. Hyde Park was much larger than she’d imagined, spreading out in all directions with walking paths and lanes for people to pass on horseback or by open carriage. And the number of people milling about was far more than she’d have expected for the weather or the early hour.

“The park is often rather popular at this time of year,” the earl noted.

Ainsworth resisted the urge to snort at the understatement.

All about, there were men and women horseback riding with grooms or in small groups. Carriages rolled along, one after the other, their occupants waving at acquaintances as they passed. Children frolicked in the wide-open spaces while nurses watched from nearby. And here and there, couples walked arm in arm, heads angled intimately toward each other.

“Can I run ahead with Bramble? Please, he’s desperate for a good race.”

It was obvious the dog wasn’t the only one anxious to stretch his legs.

“No farther than I can see you. And be watchful of those around you. And hold on to that leash,” Ainsworth had to shout as the girl and her collie were already nearly out of earshot.

“She’ll be fine.”

“I ken,” Ainsworth retorted, her tone sharper than it needed to be.

She thought she heard the earl sigh quietly in response, but when she glanced aside at his profile, there was nothing in his expression to suggest he was feeling anything beyond mild indifference.

It frustrated her how easily he did that. Eliminated any emotion. Flattened every nuance of his expression. Until he looked at her, that is. There was always a sudden moment when their eyes first met that she caught something sparking deep in the blue depths. Something she could never fully define before it was gone. Or perhaps not gone but concealed.

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