Page 59 of Tempting the Earl

Her expression gave nothing away. If anything, there was a suggestion of curiosity in the lift of her brow.

Pushing aside his concern to focus on the current issue at hand, Colin strode forward into what was obviously Roderick’s personal study. As his brother closed the door behind them, Colin realized someone else was already in the room.

A man stood before the unlit fire, his back to them.

Well above average in height and in possession of a thickly muscled build, the man’s clothing was far too casual for an evening party and his boots were scuffed and worn. He turned to face them as they neared and Colin noted the man was younger than he’d expected. Likely in his mid-twenties.

Black hair fell in thick, unruly waves nearly to his shoulders framing features that were broad and strong. His jaw was covered by a shadow of dark stubble and his mouth was pressed into a harsh line, suggesting he was not at all pleased by what was transpiring. His gaze was dark and angry as it shot first to Roderick then slid briefly to Miss Morgan before settling on Colin. And when it did, the man’s expression hardened even more as the resistant anger turned to bright fury.

Ainsworth gasped just as Colin suddenly realized the man’s identity.

His first reaction was a blast of relief. But it was quickly followed by the instinct to proceed cautiously.

Roderick stepped forward to place himself between the two men though slightly off to one side.

“Though I can see you’ve both figured out who the other is, I’ll provide introductions all the same. Lord Wright, allow me to introduce our brother, Mr. Beynon Thomas. Mr. Thomas, the Earl of Wright and Miss Morgan, who has loved and cared for our only sister, Miss Cailleach Claybourne, from the day of the girl’s birth.”

Mr. Thomas said nothing but continued to stare with eyes black as pitch and an expression heavy with unfiltered wrath. And as Colin fought to form words that wouldn’t guarantee an aggravation to the man’s clear animosity, Ainsworth stepped forward.

With an easy smile and a purposeful stride, she approached Mr. Thomas and held out her hand. “Mr. Thomas. It is a pleasure to meet you, sir.”

Mr. Thomas hesitated, but only for a second. The man couldn’t exactly ignore her gesture when doing so would be a blatant insult. He might have reason to dislike Colin, but he could have no such feelings for a woman he likely hadn’t known existed until this moment.

“Miss Morgan,” he replied in a heavy voice carrying the rich cadence of an undeniable Welsh accent as he took her hand.

Her smile widened. “I must admit I didnae expect to meet another of Caillie’s brothers tonight, but I’m thrilled all the same. She’ll be wild with excitement when I tell her.”

“You’d best not,” Mr. Thomas muttered quickly as his thick black brows lowered. “Tell her, that is.” He glanced to Roderick before sending another angry glare toward Colin. “I wouldn’t have stopped by if I’d known there was a party. Mr. Bentley didn’t allow me the grace of leaving once I realized my mistake.”

“Of course I didn’t,” Roderick replied unashamedly as he crossed his arms over his bright pink waistcoat. “You travelled all the way from Wales and somehow found my private residence, which isn’t widely known, by the way. I’m sorry if I’ve a hard time believing you simply wanted to introduce yourself then leave.”

Mr. Thomas glared at Roderick’s slightly frivolous tone. “Unfortunately,” he growled, “I stupidly thought I might find you an ally. I can see now I was mistaken.”

Roderick’s brows arched. “An ally? Against Wright?” he asked as he directed a quick nod toward Colin. “Because we’re both bastards and he’s the precious heir?”

Thomas didn’t reply but his spine stiffened with increasing annoyance.

Roderick gave a short laugh and stepped forward to give a hearty pat to Thomas’s shoulder. “Well, I can’t exactly fault you for that logic. I’ve resented our older brother for far longer than I haven’t.”

When Roderick sent him a jaunty grin, Colin stepped forward. “We’ve gratefully found some common ground of late,” he noted pointedly as he met Thomas’s dark scowl. “That being the subject of you and the rest of our siblings.”

“We’re not siblings,” Thomas growled.

“Our blood says otherwise,” Roderick swiftly countered.

“I’ve denied that man’s blood all my life. Just because this lord”—Thomas tossed a contemptuous glance toward Colin—“is experiencing a bout of guilt or shame or whatever he bloody well wants to feel, doesn’t change anything.”

Though Miss Morgan had graciously stepped back as the brothers had started conversing, she stepped forward now to say, “Perhaps we should all sit and talk through this a bit more comfortably.”

“No point,” Thomas retorted. “I’m not staying.”

The lady stopped him with a stern expression and firm hand on his arm. Her voice was low and commanding, much as a governess to a recalcitrant child. “Do reconsider, Mr. Thomas. I’ve every intention of telling Caillie about our meeting tonight and I bluidy well hope to have more to regale her with than a brief and angry interaction with a stubborn arse of a man who wouldn’t behave reasonably.”

Her blunt words managed to give the man pause, though there was a tense moment as the two stared at each other. Then he gave a harsh grunt. “Fine.”

“Thank you,” she said simply as she took a seat on the sofa and looked expectantly to Colin and Roderick. “Gentlemen.”

Colin took the place next to her as Roderick and Thomas claimed the two chairs.

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