Page 80 of Tempting the Earl

“I don’t believe you have.”

As Caillie launched into the lively tale of comedic adventure, Colin looked up to see Ainsworth watching him intently. Though her teacup was raised to her mouth, the curve of her lips and the warmth in her eyes suggested she was smiling. An intimate kind of smile meant just for him.

And despite his anxiety about Owen and his uncertainty with Thomas, Colin suddenly felt as though all would be well. Holding her gaze, he took a long breath and allowed himself to accept the current circumstances for what they were—progress in the right direction.

Whether Thomas stayed in London or not—at least, he was with them now.

And whatever news they received about young Owen, they would address it together.

As Caillie reached a particularly amusing part of her story, the unexpected sound of Thomas’s rough chuckle rumbled from the corner of the room. Though the young Welshman continued to stare intently out the window, it seemed he’d been listening to their sister’s tale.

Colin had just a moment to acknowledge it before Shaw appeared in the doorway.

“Mr. and Mrs. Bentley have arrived, my lord,” the butler noted solemnly. “Shall I say you’re not receiving?”

“That’s all right,” he replied as he rose to his feet. Colin wasn’t at all surprised by the Bentleys’ arrival. He’d known when he and Roderick had parted ways after the magistrate’s office that his brother wouldn’t be able to simply await word of news. If anything, he was surprised it had taken him this long to make an appearance. “Show them in.”

“As you wish.”

The butler stepped away and a few moments later, the Bentleys entered into the parlor.

“Sorry to barge in on you, Wright,” Roderick said a with an unrepentant grin that had his wife giving a subtle eye roll.

Colin replied, “I’m surprised you refrained as long as you did.” Then he turned to his sister-in-law with a nod and a short but sincere smile. “Welcome, Mrs. Bentley.”

“Thank you, my lord,” she replied quickly before glancing to Ainsworth. “Hello, Miss Morgan. And Caillie, lovely to see you again, my dear.”

“Hello!” Caillie beamed in response. “Hiya, Roderick.”

“Poppet,” he replied with a wink. Then, catching sight of Thomas, who had turned at their arrival but remained across the room, Roderick arched a questioning brow at Colin before addressing their brother directly. “Good to see you, Mr. Thomas. Surprising. But good. You didn’t stick around last night long enough for me to introduce my wife.” Drawing Mrs. Bentley closer to his side, he flashed a grin. “Emma, this is Mr. Beynon Thomas, the temperamental Welshman I told you about.”

Shocking no one, Thomas gave a dark scowl at the introduction, but it was swiftly followed by a respectful bow of his head. “A pleasure, Mrs. Bentley.”

“Indeed, Mr. Thomas,” she replied graciously. “I’m grateful for the unexpected opportunity to meet you—despite the rather daunting circumstances.”

“Right, then,” Roderick stated as his gaze swung back to Colin. “Any word from Nightshade?”

“Not yet,” Colin replied and for a moment the weight of their collective apprehension filled the room.

“Perhaps I should call for more tea,” Ainsworth suggested.

“Ooh and more sweets,” Caillie added brightly.

It didn’t take long for Colin to notice how the atmosphere in the room shifted with the new arrivals. As Ainsworth and Emma talked about the success of the engagement party, Roderick and Caillie set in to teasing each other. The friendly pleasantries and casual banter managed to ease a great deal of the previous tension. And though Mr. Thomas stayed in his spot by the windows, he did not turn his back to the room.

Colin watched his youngest brother. Cautiously. The last thing he wanted to do was make him feel uncomfortable. Well, more uncomfortable than he was already.

Though a dark and heavy scowl seemed permanently fixed on the young man’s rugged features and his black gaze remained assessing and guarded, Colin got the sense Thomas was softening—relaxing by minute increments. It wasn’t anything that was apparent in the man’s stern expression. Nor could it be detected in his large-muscled form, which remained rigidly unmoving, as though Thomas was afraid to interact too much with his surroundings.

But Colin was hopeful all the same.

Especially when Emma managed to coerce the younger man from the window to a more conversational position standing in front of the fireplace. Her earnest curiosity eventually got him to open up a bit. And though his answers remained gruff and short, they also revealed a few key elements of his life.

He had several young siblings: three younger brothers and two sisters. His stepfather had recently passed, leaving the family farm to Thomas. It was a responsibility he took very seriously. And more than that, it was clear he loved the task. There was a calm pride in his manner when he spoke of the farm, just as his love for his family was evident in the protective tone of his voice.

The young man was undeniably temperamental and suspicious and surly. But it seemed he possessed a deeply ingrained loyalty to those who were fortunate enough to earn it.

As Colin shifted his gaze from Thomas to Roderick and Emma then Caillie and finally to Ainsworth, he couldn’t ignore the sense of rightness he felt. This was how family was supposed to be. It wasn’t always comfortable, and though there might be occasional conflict, there was also cooperation and a sort of balance. Caillie and Roderick more than made up for Colin’s lack of charm and conversational rapport, adding a lightness to the tone of the gathering. Emma’s kind and pragmatic nature could make anyone feel at ease. And Ainsworth’s bold self-assurance was both grounding and inspiring.

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