by Dawn Brower
“It won’t be a game at all,” Gregory interrupted her. “We’re not doing it.”
“I suppose you don’t have to play if you don’t wish to, but it would be boring if you didn’t.” Samantha turned to Asthey and smiled. “You’ll join us, won’t you?”
Asthey lifted his hand and placed his thumb and forefinger under his chin as he considered her question. “You’re right, Lady Kaitlin,” he began. “We can’t play a traditional game, but we could make do. In two teams of two, we could have a bowler and a fielder on one side, and a batsman and runner on the other.”
“The wickets are already set up,” Samantha said, gesturing to the two sets of three stumps with two bails placed on top of each. She turned toward Gregory. “Please say you’ll join us. We can either group by gender or one male, one female on each team.”
Gregory had to be insane for considering this. “Fine.” Maybe he could find a way to talk to Kaitlin while he participated in this farce. “We should split evenly. One male and one female per team.”
“Perfect,” Samantha said. “I’ll be on your team, and Kaitlin can be with Lord Asthey.”
He glared at his sister. That wasn’t how he wanted it to go at all. Gregory gritted his teeth and smiled or at least tried to. He was afraid it very much looked like a snarl. “I’ll bowl. You can field.” He motioned for Samantha to take her position then turned to Kaitlin and Asthey. “Which one of you will be the batsman and runner?”
Kaitlin held up her bat. “I’d like to try this out.”
Asthey nodded. “Works for me.” He jogged out into place to run when needed. Kaitlin took her place in front of the wicket. Gregory picked up a leather-bound ball and advanced toward the opposite wicket and then stood in front of it. He held his arm out straight and wound up to bowl the ball to her. The ball went flying, and she hit it with a resounding smack echoing around them. Gregory wasn’t prepared for her to actually make contact or the ball hitting him directly in the face. He fell backward hitting the ground with a thud.
Kaitlin paced her room, still shocked she’d not only hit the ball that hard, but managed to direct it at Lord Shelby. Guilt had spread through her immediately. He hadn’t bothered to even look at her. After he’d picked himself up off the ground, he stormed off. She wanted to make sure he was all right, but allowed her fear to sway her otherwise.
A knock echoed through the room. She nibbled on her bottom lip and then sighed. Kaitlin didn’t know who could be visiting her, but she didn’t believe it was good. She went to the door and opened it. Samantha was on the other side. “Is he all right?”
“He’s fine,” she reassured her. “He has a hard head. I believe I mentioned that earlier. It’s my fault really. I shouldn’t have suggested we play in the first place.”
“We didn’t get very far, but it did feel good to hit that ball.” She grinned, and then her smile fell fast. “At least until I realized where the ball landed.”
Samantha went to a chair and sat down. “I think there is much more going on between you and my brother than I realized. It didn’t occur to me until afterward, but he was acting strangely. The only time he gets that protective is with me. I should have seen it sooner.” She nibbled on her lower lip. “The dance. That’s were it began. My brother never deigns to dance at a ball. How could I have not discerned the truth before now?” She tilted her head to the side and had a thoughtful expression on her face.
“I’m not certain I understand what you’re implying.” Lord Shelby, in her opinion, acted exactly as she had come to expect. Brutish, condescending, and domineering…
“He’s in love with you.” That was Samantha—guileless and right to the point.
Her heart skipped a beat at Samantha’s words. For a brief moment, she allowed herself to accept the possibility Samantha might be right. Kaitlin would like to believe she spoke the truth. That her brother did love her, but she couldn’t... “I very much doubt that.” Lord Shelby had never done anything that would lead her to believe he loved her. One kiss and a dance… That meant nothing. She certainly had hoped that he would come to care for her. Had even dreamed his attention might lead them to that point, but had given up on the idea after that unfortunate incident in the pond at Lady Silverly’s picnic.
“Please sit,” Samantha gestured toward a nearby chair.
Kaitlin did as she suggested but didn’t want to continue their current conversation. She was glad that Lord Shelby was all right, but Samantha was correct. “I’m not going to change my mind. Your brother is a lot of things, but a man smitten is not one of them.”
Samantha was quiet for a moment. When she started to speak, her voice was soft. “When we first met, we seemed like two different people. I can be a bit of a hellion, and with that comes a demanding personality.”
“And I appear shy and demure because I prefer to observe than participate in a conversation,” Kaitlin finished.
“But as we began to talk and share with each other we discovered we had far more in common than we would have realized looking on the surface.” Samantha placed her hand on Kaitlin’s. “We both lost our mothers at a young age. I barely remember mine, but you have wonderful memories of yours. Gregory…” She took a deep breath. “Our mother’s death scarred him. Our father didn’t handle her death well, and for a while he went wild. I’m not certain what helped him straighten out and decide to be more of a father to us, but the damage was already done. In some ways, we had lost both of our parents, and my brother never fully recovered.”
Kaitlin could understand that. She still keenly felt the loss of her parents. “So, his horrible demeanor is because he grew up without his mother?” She raised her eyebrow. “You’re right, I do feel a bit of empathy for your loss, and yes, your brothers. How could I not? That doesn’t mean I will excuse his behavior. He’s acted abysmally toward me, and I deserve better than that.”
“I don’t disagree.” She sighed. “But I had hoped you’d take pity on him. He won’t admit how he feels because he doesn’t believe he warrants any happiness.”
Kaitlin wanted to believe her. The idea of Lord Shelby loving her…filled her with hope she had thought crushed already. She had been so angry with him. That rage had enabled her to keep her distance and treat him as if he’d meant nothing to her. His dismissal of her had bruised her heart and her barely-there confidence. It took a lot for her to open herself up to anyone. “What do you expect me to do?”
“Push him,” Samantha suggested. “Make him admit how he feels.”
Kaitlin didn’t think it would be that simple. “Are you already forgetting how stubborn your brother is? What do you think I could possibly do to encourage him to admit he may or may not love me?”
“Oh, he definitely loves you,” Samantha insisted. “I believe you feel the same way about him. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have been ready to smack him with the cricket bat.” She smiled shamelessly. “Only my brother could inspire that much rage.”
Kaitlin frowned. “When does anger equate love?” She’d thought she’d hid her feelings from everyone.
“It does when you add my brother into the mix. It’s the one thing he responds well too. It’s probably driving him insane that he loves you when he doesn’t believe he can have you. Then you add in your little cricket lesson with Lord Asthey. It rankled him far more than he’d ever willingly admit. He doesn’t want any other gentleman to pay you any attention, and he was going to ensure he put some distance between the two of you. Trust me. He feels deeply for you. My brother would go that far for someone he loves. It’s why he’s scared off every one of my suitors.” She rolled her eyes. “Something I’m going to put a stop to at the first opportunity. It seemed endearing at first, but now it’s absurd. How does that idiot expect me to find a husband, let alone love, when he keeps blocking the possibility of either one?”
“I doubt he’s thought that far ahead,” Kaitlin said sympathetically. “He is trying to protect you.”
“I don’t need him to,”
Samantha said vehemently. “I admit I have an ulterior motive in trying to match you with my brother.”
“You’re not trying to bring two people together that you believe love each other out of the goodness of your heart?” Kaitlin batted her eyelashes together. “Then what is it you do want?”
“A female with influence over my difficult brother.” She smiled mischievously. “Do you think you are up for the task?”
Kaitlin wasn’t certain she could convince Lord Shelby of anything, but she did want to discover if they did have something between them. If Samantha believed it, then Kaitlin owed it to herself to find out if it was true. If Lord Shelby did love her, they might have a chance at real happiness. “All right,” she finally said. “I’ll speak to him, but I’m not making any promises.”
“That’s all I can ask,” Samantha replied. “And I’ll hope for a desirable outcome. I do want you both to be happy.”
Kaitlin wanted that too. She wasn’t confident in the possibility... She’d keep an open mind though and approach Lord Shelby carefully. She didn’t want to poke the beast and end up with a completely shattered heart in the process.
Chapter 10
Gregory leaned his head back against the arm of the leather chaise he’d plopped down on in the library. His cheek below his eye bloody hell hurt. He lifted his hand and pressed his fingers to the tender flesh and winced. Kaitlin had hit that ball as if she’d been playing cricket for years, and he’d managed to stand like an unflinching fool as if he’d never played a day in his life.
He needed a drink…probably several. The brandy was on the shelf behind him. It seemed so far away. If he wanted a glass, he’d have to find the motivation to move. The little drummers inside his head told him any sudden actions would result in even greater pain.
The echo of someone slow clapping filled the room. He glanced toward the entrance as Lord Darcy sauntered inside. Every strand of his blond hair was perfectly in place, and no wrinkles graced his dark gray traveling clothes. There had to be something wrong with a man who remained presentable after a long journey. “What the blazes are you making that racket for?” He glared at his friend.
“It’s not for you,” he explained. “Though your irritation by it is a nice side benefit.”
“If you’ve come to gloat…” Crinkles formed around his blue eyes, making him appear quite amused at Gregory’s predicament.
“Oh, I definitely have,” Darcy interrupted him. “It’s a wonderful sight to see you waylaid in a similar manner as I was almost a year ago. You do recall using your fists on my gorgeous face and marring it, do you not?” He turned his head from side to side. “Luckily, it wasn’t permanent. My wife does prefer my more perfect visage.” He walked over to the liquor and poured himself a glass of brandy. “Now seeing your pretty face turning that lovely shade of purple…couldn’t have happened to a more deserving man.” He sipped his brandy and then said, “My apologies, did you need a spot of your own?”
He closed his eyes and prayed for patience. Darcy was right, after all. Gregory had used his fists on him when the earl had attempted to court Samantha. He hadn’t felt Darcy would make a good match for his sister, and he’d been right. “You were in love with someone else, and Samantha shouldn’t live as any one’s second choice. If you had been inclined to listen to reason, I wouldn’t have had to pummel you at all.” He opened his eyes and met Darcy’s gaze. “And you better bloody hell pour me some of that brandy.”
Darcy chuckled and did as Gregory demanded. He carried the full glass over to him. Gregory snatched it out of the earl’s hands and swallowed half of it in one gulp. It burned down his throat, but he hoped the brandy’s mind-disorienting effects would put him into a stupor as quick as possible.
“So tell me,” Darcy began. He waved his finger in a circle around the welt on Gregory’s face. “Who decided to give you that delightful mark of love? There are whispers that Lady Kaitlin Evans delivered the blow. Please tell me you didn’t entice that sweet woman into violence.”
“Would if I could,” he replied. He took another long drink of his brandy. Darcy’s assessment of Kaitlin was correct. She was indeed sweet and had never been prone to violence of any sort. In fact, she tended to avoid conflict of any kind. It took a closer acquaintance with him for her to develop a slow burning rage. He didn’t blame her. Blame for the entire incident could be laid at his feet. He never should have touched her. Even if she had asked for him to kiss her…he should not have acted upon it. “I’m afraid I’m not fit for polite company.”
“Bollocks,” Darcy said in disagreement. “You are more than capable of acting like a perfect gentleman. The problem is you choose to act like an absolute arse.” He sat down on a nearby chair. “Do you wish to know what I think?”
“No,” Gregory said glibly, “but somehow, I do not believe that would stop you.” He flicked his hand in a contemptuous manner. “Do continue so we can move away from this topic.”
Darcy tapped his finger against his glass in a repetitive motion. “You love the girl.”
Gregory mentally cursed. He really didn’t want to have this conversation. He had to find a way to steer it in another direction. “You’re wrong.”
“Am I?” Darcy grinned. “Don’t admit it. Be miserable for the rest of your life.” He stood up and then lifted his glass to his mouth. Darcy drained the remaining brandy and set the empty cup on a nearby table. He faced Gregory and said, “Or you can tell her how you feel and attempt to find your own slice of happiness.”
He walked to the door to exit the room, but stopped briefly to turn back and say. “Before I leave… Harrington has decided that you and I are to be on the same team at the cricket match. He believes we have some issues to work through and combining our skills will help achieve that goal. In addition, he muttered something about marriage and bachelorhood. I could be wrong, but he might believe with my marriage and his, we should prevail upon you and Asthey the benefits of the establishment.”
Gregory snorted. “Harrington should mind his own business as should you.”
“Have it your way,” Darcy said. “You always do.” With that, he exited the room, leaving Gregory alone.
He hadn’t moved much since the earl had entered the library. It rankled that his friend had been right on every point he’d made. Gregory did love Lady Kaitlin. He wasn’t even sure when it had happened. Somewhere along the way, his heart had decided she was the sole woman for him. The problem, of course, was Gregory didn’t deserve her and he should keep his damn hands off of her. He also didn’t, for a moment, believe himself capable of that particular feat.
Kaitlin strolled hesitantly toward the library and stopped short of the entrance. A servant had informed her that Lord Shelby could be found there, but now she wasn’t sure of the wisdom of her plan. She twisted her hands in front of her and shuffled her feet, then took a deep fortifying breath. The worst he could say was he didn’t love her. Considering she had her doubts that he did, it should not be that difficult to accept. She continued inside and found him lying across a settee. Lord Shelby had a glass of brandy in his hand. He lifted it and set the glass against his forehead, then closed his eyes. He moaned, probably from pain. Guilt spread through her and she forced herself to continue toward him.
His eyelids fluttered open upon her approach. “Have you come to put me out of my misery?”
“No,” she said softly. “I’ve come to apologize.”
“You have nothing to be sorry for,” he said gruffly. “Don’t bother with self recriminations.”
“Do you think it’s that easy?” She shook her head. “It’s not, and how I feel isn’t going to disappear because you order it so.” She hated that he dismissed her so easily. When he’d pulled her into the pond and kissed her senseless, he’d pushed her away after. During that kiss she’d thought, finally. Finally, he’ll admit how much he needed her. There was something between them. He couldn’t have kissed her so passionately if he didn’t have any feelings for he
r. “Why do you believe I came in here to do you further harm?”
“Because I deserve it.” He lowered his brandy and emptied the glass, then set it on the floor next to the settee. “If you doubt my earlier words, I honestly do not blame you. It was an accident.”
“I know,” she said. “I would never deliberately hurt you.”
He remained quiet for a few moments. She stood there waiting for him to speak. Kaitlin hoped she wouldn’t have to pull information out of him. More importantly, she wanted him to admit to her what made him keep himself at a distance. After that, they could move forward, and with any luck…together.
Lord Shelby met her gaze. “It was never my intention to hurt you, but somehow I have.” His voice was filled with remorse.
Kaitlin took another step forward and tentatively reached out to touch the large bruise forming on his left cheek. “Does it pain you much?”
“Like the devil,” he admitted. “Do you wish to make it all better?”
“If I could, I would,” she told him. She hated that her actions resulted in such an angry injury.
“You can.” He lifted his lips into a wicked smile. “Lean down and press your lips against it.” He tapped his bruised cheek lightly with his forefinger. “I’ve heard a kiss can have magical properties.”
She narrowed her gaze. “How much brandy have you imbibed?”
“Not nearly enough.” He motioned toward the decanter on the shelf behind him. There was another empty glass there. “Darcy poured himself one and deigned to give me one as well. I haven’t had the motivation to pour any more.”
Kaitlin considered what he’d suggested. He was teasing, of course. Lord Shelby didn’t believe for a moment that she’d actually go through with the task of kissing him. She was willing to wager he didn’t think she’d be brave enough to take that risk. “Magical you say?” She tilted her head to the side. “That hasn’t been my experience with kissing.”