Page 25 of Redemption

“Rhea’s sister is Viscountess Sherrington.”

“Blake’s new bride?” Patience looked at him with surprise then focused her attention on Rhea. With a sudden smile, his sister shook her head. “Why that almost makes you part of the family. Blake always came home with Percy for holiday while the two of them were at Radley. It was as if I had one more big brother to hound me.”

“My sister is exceedingly fortunate to have found a husband…who loves her as much as Blake does.”

As she stumbled over her words, Percy knew she’d been on the verge of saying Blake had overlooked Lady Sherrington’s history. Once more he reminded himself that Ruckley had a great deal to pay for. Unable to help himself, Percy wondered how much Blake knew about his wife’s past. He watched Rhea take another bite of food before she looked at his sister.

“This mutton stew is quite delicious. Do you think Mrs. Hughes could be persuaded to part with her recipe?”

“Of course, I’m certain I can convince her to reveal her secret,” Patience replied with a warmth that surprised Percy.

The remainder of the meal was spent in polite conversation, and while Rhea maintained her serene appearance, he could tell she found it an effort to do so. When they’d finished their meal, Percy managed to quickly arrange for his and Rhea’s departure. To his surprise, Patience walked them to the front door of the orphanage.

“Despite Percy’s failure to tell me you would be accompanying him for lunch, Miss Bennett, I’m delighted to have met you.”

“Thank you. It was a pleasure to meet you as well,” Rhea said with a reticent smile that the Sebastian of his youth would have approved of wholeheartedly.

Patience, her brow furrowed in puzzlement, sent him a curious look. Percy grimaced and bit back a groan. Despite his efforts, the gleam of determination in his sister’s brown eyes, said there was an inquisition in his future.

“It’s obvious my brother thinks highly of you,” Patience said as she reached out to touch Percy’s arm in a gesture of affection. Rhea’s cheeks fired with pink color under his sister’s approving smile. “I would like very much to further our acquaintance. You must come to dinner Saturday night at Melton House.”

“I doubt you’ll be able to convince her to do so,” Percy murmured with irritation as he recalled his lack of success in convincing Rhea to dine at the family’s London seat Friday night.

Surprise widened Patience’s gaze as she looked up at him. He suppressed another groan. He’d spoken too hastily. Now his sister would be certain to think his interest in Rhea was something other than his effort to bring Ruckley to justice. In the deep recesses of his mind derisive laughter mocked him. He ignored the sound.

“Is this true, Miss Bennett? Has Percy finally met a woman he can’t bend to his will?”

“I do seem to frustrate him on a consistent basis.” A touch of amusement curved Rhea’s lips. It eased the tension of her mouth and softened it.

“Then I insist you come to dinner.”

Patience smiled with a glee he’d not seen in more than a year. That he was the cause of her amusement rankled slightly, but it was a price he was happy to pay to see his sister cast off her frozen shell with someone she barely knew. Beside him Rhea appeared ready to decline Patience’s invitation. A streak of devilment passed through him.

“You’re wasting your time, Patience. She’s already turned down Helen’s invitation for dinner this Friday,” he murmured. Satisfaction made him bite back a grin as anger sparked in Rhea’s beautiful eyes. She shook her head.

“As I’ve already explained, I am leaving for the country early Saturday morning,” Rhea said emphatically.

“Then if you won’t come this weekend, you must come to Melton House this evening.” Patience’s dogged expression was a familiar one, and Percy bit back a smile as he watched Rhea try to refuse in the face of his sister’s persistence.

“I couldn’t simply appear without the Countess’s invitation."

“Nonsense. Whenever any of the family is in town, we always make it a point to have dinner together at Melton House.” Patience’s smile faltered slightly, and he knew she was remembering why the family spent so much time together. It was a momentary hesitation on her part as her smile brightened. “Helen and Sebastian are accustomed to someone unexpected joining us for dinner.”

“But I—”

“Surely you must eat supper, Miss Bennett. Meals at Melton House are very informal and early enough that even our elderly guests find it difficult to decline making appearance.”

“It’s quite kind of you—“

“Then you’ll come,” Patience exclaimed with satisfaction.

“But I—”

“No more protests, Miss Bennett,” Patience said with a laugh. “You’ve agreed to come. Percy shall pick you up in plenty of time.”

“But I—”

“You won’t win, Rhea,” Percy said quietly as he met her frustrated gaze. “Patience is far more stubborn than I am. I rarely bet against her.”