Page 10 of Tempting the Earl

Collin realized he could have held that bit of information for another conversation, but it was a bit too late now. “Father was uncircumspect in many of his relationships over the years.” He emphasized the word to allow the clever girl to draw her own conclusions about the nature of those associations. “Though I am the only one of his offspring born within the bounds of his marriage to my mother, you’re not the only child born outside of them. Prior to my father’s death, I was aware of only one other son. Mr. Roderick Bentley is just a bit younger than me and was born to an English gentlewoman. It caused a great scandal when the earl treated her as wretchedly as he did your mother.”

“Roderick Bentley,” the girl whispered quietly to herself before asking, “Does he live in London, as well?”

“Yes, he and his bride have a permanent residence not far from my home in Mayfair. He, ah...” Colin considered being vague, but the girl would learn the truth eventually. “He owns a very popular gambling hall.”

“A gambling hall? Worthy, did you hear that?”

Colin decided not to look over his shoulder for Miss Morgan’s reaction to that little fact.

The girl’s astonishment quickly turned thoughtful. Such mercurial shifts seemed to happen often. With an earnest expression, she said, “I should like to meet him someday.”

Though Miss Morgan made a slightly choked sound as she resumed her position on the stool across the table from him, Colin continued to address his sister. “In addition to yourself and Mr. Bentley, our father sired two more sons.”

“Two more brothers? Yesterday, it was just me and Worthy, and today...I’ve got four big brothers!”

“You appear to be pleased by the news,” Colin observed with a slight question in his voice.

“Aye,” the girl replied readily. “Whyever wouldn’t I be? Will I get to meet them someday, as well?”

Colin briefly lowered his gaze. “I’m afraid things are rather complicated in that regard. I’m still working to sort things out.”

“But, of course, you will,” his sister replied readily. Then she sighed. “It’s all so exciting. Who could’ve imagined such a thing?” She looked to Miss Morgan. “Can all of my brothers come to visit?”

“Perhaps someday,” the woman managed to mutter though Colin noted the flash of horror in her eyes. Realizing he could not push off the ultimate purpose of his visit any longer, Colin rose to his feet and turned toward his sister. “Miss Claybourne,” he began earnestly, “my visit today has been a memorable one, but I’m afraid my time is running short.”

“But you cannae leave already,” she protested.

“No doubt His Lordship has a great many important things to manage in London,” Miss Morgan interjected as she also stood.

The woman couldn’t wait to be rid of him. “It is true. I wish I could’ve allowed more time for this trip, but I was wary of putting it off any longer,” he added with a pointed glance to Miss Morgan, who simply arched a brow in response. “Before I go, however, I’d like a private word with Miss Morgan.”

“Why?”

The girl’s question surprised him. His directives were not usually so boldly questioned. He looked to the woman across from him, but she sat staring coldly back at him, offering no help at all.

“There’s a certain matter I must discuss with her.”

“Since it verra likely has to do with me, I may as well stay to participate, dinnae you think?” Caillie asked with an innocent head tilt.

At a loss for how to respond, he was saved from having to do so as Miss Morgan rose to her feet. “No arguing, lassie. Why dinnae you go see to Roy’s supper?”

“But it’s far too early.”

Rather than engage in further debate, Miss Morgan lowered her chin to settle a stern gaze on the girl. Though he expected the willful child to offer further protest, Caillie just sighed and harrumphed as she rose to her feet.

Turning her hazel eyes on him once again, she pleaded softly, “Dinnae leave without saying good-bye.”

“I won’t. I promise.”

“Go on, now,” Miss Morgan finally urged quietly but firmly.

With another suffering sigh, the girl turned and left the kitchen—the border collie dutifully at her heels.

Chapter Five

Miss Morgan’s earlier, less-than-subtle animosity returned the moment the two adults were alone. Stubborn resistance vibrated in her modest form as she settled a hard stare in Colin’s direction.

Despite the challenging nature of the issue he needed to broach with the forbidding woman, Colin kept his own gaze steady and his tone neutral as he spoke. “Might we adjourn to a room more conducive to private discussion?”

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