The Cynfell Brothers

by Samantha Holt

  Perhaps that was it. She simply wanted to make sure all was well. This out-of-character behaviour had her unsettled and she was merely trying to be a friend by ensuring there was nothing amiss.

  Besides his very strong dislike for her fiancé.

  She blew out a breath and stuck out her tongue at her reflection. Fool. She shouldn’t be worrying about Gideon, she should be thinking of her Niall—her husband to be.

  A tiny shudder wracked her. It wasn’t that she found him repulsive or anything. Which really was more than many women could say. But, oh boy, to spend the rest of her days listening to him drone on. Could she really do it? In the few weeks since their engagement, he had been at Chetwyn House—what?—five times. And no matter how hard she tried to enjoy his company, she failed. She was no longer a little girl who was content observing a few flowers with him until boisterous Gideon came along.

  Yet here she was, waiting for Gideon again.

  Fool, fool, fool, fool.

  “Come now, Cleo. We had better tidy you up a little. You’re looking slightly tired.”

  Cleo moved away from the window and forced a smile for her mother. The slightest spark of concern lit in them. It was true; she was tired. She had not been sleeping since she had said yes to Niall. How could she when she had likely made the biggest mistake of her life?

  But what was she to do? Say no and remain a spinster for the rest of her life? Because she had to be honest with herself—that was where her life was headed. She would have ended up tucked away in an attic somewhere, looking after her brother’s children or being known as the crazy aunt who talked wistfully of long ago when she was a child and free.

  At least her parents were happy, as was everyone else. Many women lived quite satisfactory lives married to men they did not love. Surely she could too? She would find some new hobbies. Perhaps she would become one of those women who forever held charitable events. That would keep her busy and satisfied.

  Yes. That would work. She could throw dinner parties and persuade people to part with their money for orphans or destitute women. There were plenty enough of those in London.

  Except no one would come near her after a broken engagement. She knew that. Look what had happened to Mary Alice after her fiancé had run off with that American heiress. She’d ended up scandalously pregnant and vanished to Ireland or something, the last she heard. Cleo shuddered.

  “Cleo?”

  She gave her mother a weak smile and nodded. “Yes, Mama. I shall get Ella to redo my hair. We still have a little time, do we not?”

  “Not long,” she warned. “Niall should be here before the other guests arrive.”

  “And did...did all the Cynfells accept the invitation?”

  “Not all, Cleo, you know that. Goodness knows I’m glad they did not or we would have had a frightful imbalance of men, what with Anna and Lila indisposed.

  Cleo nodded. “Yes.”

  Gideon had not responded. But there would be a seat for him regardless. The Talbots had always welcomed the Cynfells into their home since her grandfather had become fast friends with the Marquess at the time. But she supposed that would change before long. Her brother had never been the best of friends with Julian.

  Another sigh escaped her.

  “Cleo?”

  “All is well, Mama.” She brushed a kiss across her cheek. “I am just weary from all the excitement. It’s been quite a couple of weeks.”

  “It has indeed.” Her mother clasped her arms. “I’m very proud of you, my love. I always said my Cleo would do marvellously at whatever she put her mind to, and I know you shall create a happy marriage.”

  Swallowing the knot in her throat, she nodded and hurried up to her room.

  She didn’t send for Bella, instead opting to tuck away the few loose strands and dust on a little powder. She needed the time alone for the moment.

  What her mother said was true. Cleo sank down onto the chair in front of her dressing table and eyed the dark rings under her eyes. And not just about her looking tired. Whenever she put her mind to something, she made a success of it or at least gained something positive from it. She could do the same from this marriage. She just had to see the positive side.

  No longer living with her parents and doing whatever they told her. Being her own woman. Well, sort of, anyway. She didn’t think Niall was the sort of man who would dictate to her or else she definitely would not have said yes.

  But could she have said no? Could she have disappointed her entire family? Could she have consigned herself to as a spinster, feeling those heavy looks of sorrow upon her for her single state?

  Cleo slapped down the powder and stood. She could have. She might have even regretted it. But it was too late now. She had made her choice, and she'd be damned if she was going to continue mulling it over like this. It would drive her to the edge of insanity.

  The sound of gravel crunching had her heart thudding in her chest. She scurried over to the window and peered out of the glass.

  Cleo could not help herself. A smile whipped across her face. She pushed away from the window and hastened downstairs to greet Gideon just as the butler drew open the door.

  “It’s all right, Henley. I shall see Lord Gideon in.”

  Henley lifted a brow but nodded and stepped away. Gideon drew off his hat and pushed a hand through his hair. She bit back a wistful sigh at the sight of those tousled waves. If Harper were handsome like Gideon, would she find him more appealing?

  No, she didn’t think so. After all, she had never really thought of Gideon as attractive until very recently, though she had always liked him.

  “I wasn’t sure if you were coming,” she said, surprising herself at the breathless quality of her voice. Why did Gideon make her breathless?

  He offered a strained smile. “Well, I--” He glanced around her. “Lady Halford.”

  “Gideon,” her mother greeted and came to give him an embrace. “I did not think you were coming.”

  “Actually, I—”

  “Though you are most welcome because I actually just received news that we will be one man short.”

  “Lady Halford, I had not actually--”

  “Well, Cleo can show you to your room.” She lifted a brow at his empty hands. “Has Henley seen to your belongings already?”

  “Not exactly.” He shot her a look that asked her to save him.

  Cleo shook her head. “Why do you not leave Gideon to me, Mama? You have a lot to prepare.”

  “Yes, you’re right, I do.” She smiled warmly at Gideon. “How lovely to have the Cynfell boys back under our roof. I remember when you used to play in the drawing room and leave muddy footprints everywhere.”

  “My boots are quite clean, I assure you,” he quipped.

  Her mother smiled again before hurrying away. Cleo gave Gideon an apologetic look. “Forgive her, she’s keeping herself quite busy with all this engagement nonsense.”

  “Nonsense?”

  She waved a hand in dismissal of her own words but heat touched her cheeks.

  “You know what I mean.” She looked pointedly at his lack of belongings. “I take it you were not really intending to come to the party, unless you’re thinking of riding back in the dark, in which case I will absolutely forbid it.”

  “I’m an excellent rider,” he protested.

  “And the fields between our houses are still damp. I would not have you risking injury to Peridot.”

  “Ha, so you’re not at all concerned about my welfare, I see?”

  His smile caught her breath again. She pressed a hand to her stomach and forced herself to take a deep lungful of air. How easy it was to tease with him. How warm and happy he always made her feel. Well, that was when he was not threatening her fiancé...

  “You have a very hard head, Gideon.”

  “That much is true,” he conceded.

  “I never could fathom how you survived all the endless falls when we were children. You should be addled out of your wits by
now.”

  “Who says I am not?”

  Cleo didn’t know how to respond to that, not when he secured her with a look that told her something. It’s just that she was not at all sure what he was trying to tell her.

  “I think we both know my behaviour has hardly been acceptable recently. I could blame some knocks to the head but that would be a lie.”

  She clasped her hands together. “I am not sure either of us have been behaving like ourselves recently.”

  “No, perhaps not.” He shifted slightly. “Anyway, the reason I came here was to apologise for my behaviour at the opera. I was an utter ass. and I am sorry. The last thing I should ever want to do is upset you, Cleo.”

  Oh, why did her heart have to flutter with delight at the sincere look in his eyes and the way he said her name?

  “I know,” she said softly.

  “Then you forgive me.”

  She released a gentle laugh. “Of course I do. I forgave you for the frogspawn in my shoes, did I not?”

  “After a lot of grovelling,” he reminded her.

  “Well, I would not wish to see you grovel this time, so yes, I forgive you.”

  Relief eased the creases in his brow that she had longed to smooth out. “Excellent. Well,” he peered around, “you no doubt have plenty to attend to.” He went to put on his hat, and she reached for his hand to stop him.

  “Won’t you stay? If we are one man short, it will be a horrible headache for Mama. Surely you can ride back and get your belongings? It will hardly take any time.”

  He sighed. “When you ask so nicely, how can I say no? I shall return with Julian and Viola. They were planning to arrive later today.”

  “Wonderful. I-I’m glad you’ll be coming. It will make this evening much more fun.”

  “And your fiancé will not?”

  Coldness washed over her. How could she hide the truth from Gideon? He knew her better than anyone. He would see through every false smile and forced laugh.

  “Never mind,” he said hurriedly. “I shall leave you to get ready. Tell your mother I had a quick errand to run, but not to fear, I will not leave her table unbalanced.”

  “Thank you, Gideon.”

  She stood at the door and waited for him to bring around his horse and mount. He offered her a wave before galloping off back toward Lockwood Manor.

  Cleo leaned against the doorway and pressed her head to the wood. She was glad he had apologised. There was nothing worse than feeling like things were wrong between them. But tonight would not be pleasant even with him here. No doubt she would spend most of the evening comparing him to Niall and praying he did not get angry at him. For whatever reason, Gideon had taken such a disliking to Niall.

  “He has not changed his mind has he?”

  “Mama!” Cleo whirled. “When did you become so sneaky?”

  “A lady never sneaks, my dear. I think you were rather lost in your own little world.”

  “Perhaps. And no, he has not. He just had to run an errand whilst he was here.”

  “Excellent. You two have made up, I take it?”

  “Yes, he apologised for his behaviour. I am sure he will apologise to Niall too.”

  “I do hope so. I would hate to have a disagreement between our families.”

  Cleo took her mother’s hand and gave her an affectionate kiss. In spite of her obliviousness to Cleo’s feelings about Niall, her mother always wanted the best for everyone around them and had been fond of the Cynfell boys. She knew they appreciated the attention considering their own mother was quite the cold creature.

  “All is well, Mama, I promise.”

  Her mother took Cleo’s face in her hands and beamed at her. “Of course, I should not be surprised he’s jealous. We always thought you two would end up married one day. He is probably regretting he missed out on our lovely Cleo.”

  Cleo blinked. But before she could quiz her mother on her meaning, she had hurried away to continue dinner preparations.

  Of course, she did not really need to ask any more questions. Mama thought Gideon was jealous.

  Was he really? And what did that mean?

  Chapter Eight

  True to his word, Gideon returned with his brother and Viola. The idea of spending a night in the company of Harper almost had him sweating.

  Almost.

  Mostly it made him angry.

  His apology had only been for Cleo’s sake. After a week in London trying to cool down and find out some information about Niall’s business dealings, he had realised he could not leave things on bad terms. St. Clair had also been instrumental in his apology. If he could not persuade Cleo to stay away from him, then he could at least remain close to her should things go sour once she married the man, St. Clair had said.

  Why the damned man felt fit to interfere in his every affair at present, he did not know, but unfortunately he was right. He could not persuade Cleo that Harper was up to anything untoward without evidence, so his best bet was to remain close to her in a bid to protect her. Whether she was really in danger or not, he didn’t know, but it was not a risk he was willing to take. A diamond thief surely had enemies.

  And Cleo...well, she was too sweet and trusting. Always seeing the best in people. God knows, she had probably found something to like in Harpy or how else would she be envisioning a marriage to him?

  He paced the room he’d been given and paused in front of the full-length mirror to check his black tie. More guests had arrived—many from the local families who he knew from the many events over the years at Lockwood. He hadn’t seen many of them in recent years, though.

  The people his mother’s age tended to remain in the countryside, and when Julian’s last wife died, he had stopped holding parties. Viola had already changed that, but Gideon did not have much interest in attending all these family events.

  Not when they were not even his true family. Not really, anyway. He was only half related to them and did not even have Cynfell blood in him. It always felt horribly false to be treated like one of them.

  All he had to do was get through this evening with dignity. That was not so much to ask, was it? It seemed where Cleo was concerned he was swiftly running out of it.

  He pushed a hand through his hair and straightened his cuffs. There was nothing left for him to do now but to face Harpy, all smug at having gained Cleo’s hand. He grimaced at his reflection. He understood, he really did. Cleo was not getting younger and there was a lot of pressure on her to marry but...

  Gideon shook his head. No. No more questioning her decision. He was here to support her as a friend, that was all, and if he happened to find any incriminating evidence on her fiancé, more the better.

  By the time he made his way downstairs, most of the guests had gathered in the drawing room. He spotted Cleo instantly. Her red hair glowed under the lights, scattered with tiny gems that sparkled like raindrops. Her evening gown hung low on her shoulders, revealing the scattering of freckles marching across her skin.

  Why had he never considered how appealing those marks were? Whoever had decided that all men should prefer pale skinned blonde or brunette things was a complete fool. No one could draw a man’s attention like Cleo did.

  He stiffened when he eased past several guests to spot Harper nearby. Cleo caught his eye and there was warning there. But he was damned if he could make sense of the warning. To behave most likely, but as soon as he’d spotted her in that cherry red gown, all common sense had deserted him.

  And now that Harper was there, lingering too close to her for his liking, his vision had grown about as red as her gown.

  He spun quickly to grab a glass of port from the footman and took a generous sip. The warming sensation brought him slightly back to reality. He could not, and would not, anger Cleo. Not unless he wished her and her family to throw him out on his arse, and then there would be no one standing between her and Harpy.

  The simple fact was he had to play nice—just for the moment.

  F
inishing off the port, he strode over. Cleo’s gaze clung to him and silently beseeched him not to create a scene. He put on his most casual smile and thrust out his hand to Harper.

  Harper’s brows rose, and it took him a moment to catch up, shaking his hand limply.

  “I don’t believe I got the chance to congratulate you before, Niall.”

  “Well, no...”

  “Perhaps you might let me have a quiet word with you.”

  “I suppose...”

  “Excellent.”

  “Gideon,” Cleo warned.

  Harper laid a hand over Cleo’s, and Gideon had to resist the desire to tear him away from her.

  “Not to worry, my dear.”

  “No, nothing to worry about, Cleo,” Gideon assured. “I only need a quick word.”

  They eased through the crowd of people to the corner of the room. Both took a drink on their way over. Harpy drank his quickly. Gideon could not help but marvel over the nervous act.

  “I must apologise for my behaviour,” Gideon started. “What can I say? After sitting through that din, I cannot claim to have had full control of my wits.”

  Gideon searched Harper’s gaze for some sign of this criminal mastermind. He was a damned fine actor. Far finer than he and his phony apology.

  “O-of course.” Harper smiled. “Apology accepted. After all, what’s a scuffle between old friends?”

  “Absolutely.” Gideon returned the smile. A shot of understanding ran between them. He glanced at Cleo who watched the exchange with her hand clamped around her wine glass. “Of course, as a friend of Cleo, I feel it is my duty to ensure that she is well-looked after.”

  “Naturally. What better man to look after her than one of her other old friends, eh?”

  “Indeed. But what if, as a friend, you felt that someone could cause some danger to Cleo? If, perhaps, they were involved in things which they should not be.”

  “What the devil are you talking about, Cynfell?”

  Gideon did, for a brief moment, wonder if he had not got it all wrong.

  Damn the man was far quicker and cleverer than anyone he knew.