Page 27 of Tempting the Earl

“Though in truth, the invitation was more my doing,” Mr. Bentley interjected.

The earl allowed a brief furrow of his brow before continuing smoothly to Mrs. Bentley, “Your husband was rather insistent.”

Despite the obvious censure in the earl’s comment, the lovely blonde woman appeared unfazed. Ainsworth guessed Mrs. Bentley was likely accustomed to the strange hint of animosity between the brothers.

“Yes, he can be tiresome on occasion,” Mrs. Bentley noted with a sigh. The quick sideways glance she gave her husband stopped just shy of being coy. “But he usually has the best of intentions.”

“My intentions are above reproach,” he noted with an unrepentant grin. “Always.” Then he slid his blue gaze to where Caillie and Ainsworth stood. “Shall we move on to introductions, then?”

The earl sighed but turned to where Ainsworth and Caillie stood slightly off to one side. His expression was flat and unreadable, though Ainsworth thought she detected a very quick smile of encouragement when his attention fell to his young sister.

“Of course. Miss Morgan and Miss Claybourne, allow me to present to you Mr. and Mrs. Bentley.”

The dark-haired gentleman stepped forward first. Close up, Ainsworth couldn’t deny the man’s striking attractiveness and when he extended his large hand to Caillie and gave a wide, flashing smile, she suspected the man had inherited all the prior earl’s reported charm which had apparently bypassed his older brother.

“Miss Claybourne,” he said in a rich voice. “Cailleach, correct?” He pronounced the girl’s name with a perfect accent.

Caillie nodded, then replied, “Most people call me Caillie.”

Bentley smiled warmly. “Caillie suits you, I think, but Cailleach is such a lovely name. Do you mind if I continue using it?”

The girl beamed. “Not at all.”

“And I insist you call me Roderick. No need for formalities between siblings.” He tossed a smirk toward the earl, “Wouldn’t you say, Wright?”

Ainsworth held back a snorting laugh at the inciting remark as she glanced to see how the earl might respond. She half expected a flash of temper or a quick retort, but the lord simply nodded as he clasped his hands behind his back.

Seeing that sent a sharp little stab through her chest.

“And I’m Emma,” Mrs. Bentley said gently. “Roderick and I have been looking forward to having this opportunity to get to know you.” Then she turned a serene gray gaze to Ainsworth. “It is truly lovely to meet you both.”

Mrs. Bentley was at least a few years younger than Ainsworth but there was an innate grace and confidence—a subtle but undeniable air of competence—in the woman that was instantly assuring.

“Thank you, Mrs. Bentley,” Ainsworth replied politely as she settled a hand on Caillie’s shoulder. “We’ve been rather anxious, as well.”

“Why don’t we all have a seat,” the earl suggested.

They arranged themselves before the fire with the Bentleys occupying one sofa and Caillie and Ainsworth settling on the one across from them, which left the earl to take the armchair off to one side.

There was just a moment of awkward silence before Bentley gave a soft laugh. “This is all somewhat odd, isn’t it? For you especially,” he said to Caillie. “Traveling all the way to London to meet family you didn’t know about.”

The girl shrugged and gave a wide smile. “Odd but also verra exciting.”

The man chuckled. “London can certainly be that.”

Caillie scooted to the edge of the sofa. “Is it true you own a gambling club?”

His smile was decidedly rakish as he replied, “I do.”

“I should love to see it.”

The earl cleared his throat just as Mrs. Bentley leaned forward. “Perhaps someday, but there are a great many wonderful places you’ll likely want to visit in town. The British Museum. The many gardens and parks. The shops on Bond Street.”

“Shops?” Caillie turned to Ainsworth with a hopeful gaze. “Can we do a wee bit of shopping while we’re here, Worthy?”

“Perhaps,” she replied noncommittally.

“They’ve only just arrived,” the earl noted from off to the side. “I’m sure they’d like some time to settle into their new environment before scheduling a sight-seeing itinerary.”

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