Page 9 of Tempting the Earl

Hearing a certain gravity in her tone, he lifted his napkin to dab at his mouth before replying. “Of course. Anything.”

He’d known this visit would come with some difficult conversations and he’d been preparing himself for them since he’d decided to seek out his siblings.

The girl tilted her head. “Why’ve you come here?”

From the corner of his eye, he saw Miss Morgan go intently still. Even if she had an urge to do so, she was not going to intervene in the conversation. He both appreciated her restraint and regretted it.

Though there was no obvious tone of rudeness in the girl’s tone, Colin still wasn’t exactly sure how to respond to such a blunt inquiry. Having never interacted with children before, he had no idea what to expect, but he certainly hadn’t expected such a straightforward attitude from one so young. It was surprising, but not necessarily something he wished to dissuade.

“I’m here because you’re my sister and I’d very much like to get to know you.”

There was a thoughtful pause. Then, “Why now?”

Clearing his throat, Colin set his napkin next to his bowl. Looking into the eleven-year-old girl’s rich hazel eyes, he knew he’d have to answer carefully. With full honesty of course, but the current moment might not be the best time for some of the more sordid details. He took a breath to think of how he’d reply, involuntarily sliding another quick look to Miss Morgan.

Intently avoiding his gaze, she rose rather abruptly to her feet and began to collect items from the table.

He cleared his throat again and returned his attention to the girl. “My father—pardon me, our father—died more than two years ago now. But it wasn’t until just last summer, when I finally read through his journals, that I learned of his...relationship with your mother.”

“Not really a relationship, was it?” Caillie noted bluntly.

He gave a stiff nod, unable to deny the truth of her comment. “No. It wasn’t.”

The girl’s steady stare was slightly unnerving as she noted, “And his journals mentioned me?”

Colin hesitated. But not for long. His interactions with his sister so far led him to believe she’d be better off with the full truth right from the start.

“Only briefly, I’m afraid. But it was enough to initiate an investigation which eventually brought me here.”

Hazel eyes widened. “An investigation? It all sounds a wee bit like a gothic mystery, doesnae, Worthy?”

The woman gave a short sound in reply but didn’t engage further.

“May I now ask you something?” Colin inquired.

The girl sat a bit taller on her stool. “I reckon it’s only fair.”

“What do you know of our father?”

She gave a little shrug. “I ken he was the Earl of Wright, a gentleman from London. I ken he was visiting Skye where he met my mother, seduced her, then left her. My grandfather tried to force the earl to take responsibility, but the earl refused.” The girl paused to look past him to Miss Morgan. “We’ve heard nothing of the lord since.” Her gaze met his again. “Until your arrival today.”

Colin had to resist the urge to stand and start pacing around the table.

“That is essentially the truth as I understand it as well. Father was a very self-centered man. He was incapable of considering how his actions might affect other people. His behavior toward your mother was callous and unforgiveable. His abject failure when it came to you was far worse.”

A tiny wrinkle formed between the child’s brows. A furrow of intent consideration. “I fully agree. But I dinnae believe you’d come all this way just to acknowledge the character flaws of a man who’d intentionally written himself out of my life.”

Once again, her ability to see beyond what was presented on the surface managed to astound him.

“No, you’re quite right about that,” he stated evenly. “My visit has far less to do with our father and his wretched past than it does the two of us and our future. Though I deeply regret not having known of you before recently, now that I do...” He searched for the right words as vulnerability tightened his muscles. “I’m rather pleased by the idea of having a sister.”

She seemed to consider his words for a few moments. Her eyes assessing him quietly before she tilted her head and offered a smile. “I reckon I might like having a brother as well.”

Colin released a heavy breath. “Glad to hear it.” He swallowed. “I hope it won’t upset you then to learn I’m not the only one.”

A brief clatter of noise came from the stove, where Miss Morgan engaged in some unknown task. But Miss Claybourne didn’t even seem to hear it as she stared at him with wide hazel eyes.

“I’ve another brother?”

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