Page 82 of Tempting the Earl

“Are you saying you’d like to call off our attempts at reaching out to him?” he asked, meeting the Welshman’s black-eyed stare.

Everyone waited for Thomas’s response to the direct question.

In the tense silence that followed, a variety of emotions passed over the young man’s dark countenance, including annoyance, frustration, resistance, and inner conflict. Finally, with a heavy scowl he glanced to Caillie then took a breath and replied. “I suppose he should be given the opportunity to know the whole truth of his origins in order to decide what’s best for himself.”

Colin’s relief was immense but he kept it contained as he looked back to Davies. “Does Nightshade believe he can find him?”

There was no hesitation. “Given enough time.”

Colin nodded. It was something. It was hope. “Thank you, Mr. Davies. I won’t keep you any longer. Please keep us informed of any developments.”

Nightshade’s man gave another bow before turning to stride from the room.

“What do we do now?” Caillie asked.

Emma placed a comforting hand on the girl’s shoulder. “We wait, sweetheart, for Nightshade to continue his investigation.”

“And since the task could take some time, I think we’d best return home.” Roderick’s expression held a hint of tension as he added to his wife, “You should be resting.”

She narrowed her gaze as she replied in a quiet but firm voice. “I told you I’m perfectly fine. There’s no need for concern.”

“Indulge me,” he answered just as sternly before he directed a pointed look to Colin. “You’ll send word?”

“Of course.”

Roderick then turned to Mr. Thomas. There was a brief moment of tension before he extended his hand. “I’m glad to see you still in town, Thomas. If you’d like an improvement in accommodations from the inn, you’re welcome to stay with us.”

“Actually,” Colin interjected in a firm tone, “if you’re agreeable, I’d like you to stay here at Wright House for a time. It would give me an opportunity to answer any questions you might have.”

After a pause, Mr. Thomas turned to the Bentleys. “Another time. Perhaps.”

His less than enthusiastic response didn’t seem to bother Roderick in the slightest as he smiled warmly. “Any time. And that goes for the club, as well. You’ve already been added to our membership.”

Caillie jumped to her feet. “I still want to see your club, Roderick, don’t forget.”

Bentley gave a laugh as he bent to tug on a lock of her hair. “I doubt you’d let me, poppet.”

Ainsworth glanced pointedly to the clock. “Such adventures will have to wait for another time, unfortunately, since we’re now verra late on getting to our lessons.”

Caillie groaned in dismay but reluctantly rose to her feet. “Can’t we skip our lessons today?”

“I’m afraid not, luv. But in the spirit of compromise, I’ll shorten up today’s curriculum, and if we make it through in good time, we’ll take Bramble to the park later.”

With obvious reluctance, Caillie bade her farewells, pausing to whisper something private to Mr. Thomas, who gave a somber nod in response, before skipping from the room with Bramble trotting loyally on her heels.

As Ainsworth turned to follow, she seemed to hesitate, as though she was tempted to glance back at Colin. But she didn’t.

He watched her progress up the grand staircase as he walked the Bentleys across the hall to the front door where they were met by Shaw. A part of him silently willed her to turn and look back at him. When she didn’t, he told himself it was best. He might not have been able to resist revealing the hunger that had been clawing at him since that morning.

Glancing away, he caught Roderick watching him with a half smirk and that look in his eyes that always preempted some rude and brazen taunt.

Colin quickly intercepted with a hard, forbidding stare that elicited a low chuckle but gratefully kept the other man’s comment behind his teeth.

A few more quick good-byes and assurances of staying in contact regarding Owen and then it was just Colin and Thomas left standing in the hall.

Turning to the younger man, Colin wrapped his hand around his wrist behind his back. “Mrs. Athens can see you settled in one of our guest rooms while I send someone to fetch your things from the inn.”

“No.”

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