Page 10 of When the Scoundrel Sins

She said softly, “Welcome to Castle Glenarvon.” She added with a touch of begrudging politeness and a flash of her eyes that reminded him of smoldering coals right before they flamed into a fire, “I hope you enjoy your stay.”

CHAPTERTWO

There you two are,” Lady Ainsley called out as Belle and Quinn entered the drawing room.

Belle sent her an apologetic smile for taking so long to return, then gave one to Robert, Quinton’s older brother, in welcome as he rose to his feet at her arrival. He seemed happy to see her again.

More importantly, he hadn’t fled. Which meant that Lady Ainsley had yet to acknowledge the real reason behind his brother’s summons to the borderlands, most likely waiting until Belle was in the room.

She bit back a groan of embarrassment. She’d hoped that the viscountess had changed her mind about this mad scheme of hers—

“I imagine that you and Quinton had a great deal to discuss,” Lady Ainsley added hopefully.

No such luck. Her stomach sank as her last tendril of hope for reprieve fled.

“Not really,” Belle dodged, refusing to acknowledge her predicament to the two men until she absolutely had to. The entire situation was embarrassing enough. The last thing she wanted to do was admit in front of that scoundrel Quinton that she’d been unable to find a husband. No, notunable. More like purposeful evasion. And truly, with the way the men in her life had behaved, could anyone blame her for not being eager to shackle herself to one of their kind?

But now, she no longer had a choice.

Lady Ainsley’s lips tightened knowingly at Belle’s answer, clearly not the one she wanted. “Regardless, I am glad you’ve returned.”

The viscountess’s eyes narrowed curiously on Quinton, as if sizing him up.

Belle frowned. Did Lady Ainsley regret her decision to bring him here, now that he stood before her in flesh and blood?

Apparently not, because his aunt’s gaze softened with an optimistic gleam. Belle’s stomach sank further, this time all the way to her knees.

“Now that we’re all present,” the viscountess announced, “Quinton, Robert—welcome to Castle Glenarvon.”

“Thank you, Aunt Agatha.” When Quinton placed a kiss on Lady Ainsley’s cheek, the dowager flushed a happy pink even though she waved him away with a feigned scowl. She fooled no one. His aunt held great affection in her heart for Quinton, always had. Even when the rascal didn’t deserve it. “I’d never pass up the chance to see you.” Ignoring her unconvincinghumphof disbelief, he jerked a thumb toward his brother. “Robert, though, tagged along in order to flee from a woman.”

“I wasn’t fleeing,” Robert interrupted with a touch of aggravation.

“As much as escaping,” Quinn clarified quickly.

Robert nodded. “The lifelong shackles of domestication—”

“And matrimony—”

“But any escape from matrimony—”

“—is a good escape.”

“Indeed!” they finished together.

The two men turned to look at Lady Ainsley, as if expecting some kind of reaction to their rapid-fire exchange. But the dowager only stared at them as if they were both bedlamites.

And truly, even Belle didn’t know what to say to that, her mouth falling open, speechless. The Carlisle brothers had always possessed an uncanny ability to finish each other’s sentences, but this was…astonishing.

Having long ago grown used to the brothers’ antics, Lady Ainsley claimed back the flow of conversation. “So good to have you both here.” She darted a sideways look at Belle. “However, I did not invite you here to avoid weddings. Quite the opposite, in fact.”

Sobering quickly at her pronouncement, the two men exchanged a bewildered glance.

Then Quinton ventured with a grin, “You invited me here because you wanted to see me one last time before I left for America.” When his aunt hesitated to answer, his grin faded. “Didn’t you?”

Lady Ainsley’s ramrod-straight spine softened at that, as if she fully realized that this visit could very likely be the last time her old eyes laid sight on Quinton. “Of course I wanted to see you. I am very fond of all of Elizabeth’s children.” Her lips twisted into a judgmental grimace. “Although surely you boys take after your father’s side of the family and not mine.”

The two men grinned, and Belle was struck by how similar they looked. Like two life-size bookends, right down to the same broad shoulders, golden hair, and midnight-blue eyes.