Page 41 of Redemption

Chapter 9

“Did you finalize arrangements this afternoon to add footmen to the orphanage staff?” Percy asked quietly as he took a drink of his port.

“Yes, I had Madison select three footmen to reside at the orphanage beginning tonight,” Sebastian said with a nod. “I’m making arrangements for permanent security to ensure the family is safe when they visit the orphanage.”

“Have you had any success in discovering how Miss Bennett knows this Edgar you mentioned earlier this afternoon?”

“I believe she encountered him in her efforts to relocate several children to the country.” His vague reply to his eldest brother’s question made Percy wince as Sebastian raised his eyebrows in a skeptical manner.

Percy followed Sebastian and his brothers-in-law into the salon to see Jamie seated next to Rhea on the settee across from his aunt and Patience. From the moment he’d ushered Rhea into the house this evening, she’d been the subject of a subtle, yet persistent, inquisition by his family. Outsiders would have simply put their questions down to his family being polite. Percy knew better.

Although his family’s interest was genuine, it was far from superficial. The Rockwood clan was attempting to discern if Rhea was worthy of him. Not that his family’s probing would bear fruit. The only thing binding him and Rhea together was their hatred of Ruckley. Percy stopped himself from snorting with disgust as he reluctantly admitted his interest in Rhea bordered on the edge of something he’d never experienced before. A second later, he was forced once again to catch himself from expelling a noise of aggravation.

The younger children had been taken up to the nursery shortly after dinner leaving only his nephew Jamie and Lucien’s niece Imogene to join the adults in the salon for post-dinner conversation. As he approached the settee, he saw Jamie lean into Rhea.

“Might I show you the garden, Miss Bennett? It’s quite lovely at this time of evening, just as dusk is setting in.” The boy’s words made a small laugh break free from Rhea’s mouth as she shook her head.

“It sounds delightful, Lord Westbury, but—“

“She’s already promised me the pleasure of her company for a walk in the garden,” he growled as an emotion he preferred not to name flooded his body with tension.

Not quite ten, Constance’s son had already earned himself a reputation for his quick wit and charm. If the boy were older, Percy knew he would have had a battle on his hands to capture Rhea’s attention. Pink color flared in Rhea’s cheeks as Jamie jerked his head to glare in Percy’s direction.

The look indicated that his nephew had formed a clear interest in Rhea. The sudden visceral sensation of his gut knotting again with the same unpleasant emotion he’d experienced only seconds before made him scowl at the boy. Clearly amused, Patience coughed to cover her laughter while Aunt Matilda shook her head and restrained her amusement behind a smile. Percy eyed both women and wondered if they’d put Jamie up to his small flirtation.

No, the boy was simply a born charmer, but it was doubtful the family had discouraged his nephew’s pursuit of Rhea’s company. As his gaze met Rhea’s he saw her purple-hued gaze darken with an undefinable emotion before it disappeared. She turned her attention back to his nephew.

“Perhaps you might care to join us, my lord,” Rhea said as she smiled at Jamie. The boy’s expression brightened at the invitation, while Percy experienced disgruntlement at the idea he would have to share Rhea’s company. The instant he acknowledged the fact he tried to dismiss it speedily, but failed.

“It would give me great pleasure to do so, Miss Bennett.” Jamie exclaimed with a grin of delight, which only furthered Percy’s exasperation at the sudden possessiveness he felt for Rhea. From across the room Constance expressed her disapproval.

“Not this evening, Jamie,” his sister said as she refused Rhea’s invitation on behalf of her son. “It’s late and you agreed to ride with Lucien and Uncle Sebastian in the morning.”

“But Uncle Percy doesn’t know the difference between a rose and a lily,” Jamie said scathingly.

“Your uncle’s knowledge of gardening isn’t relevant to the matter at hand, young man,” Constance said firmly, although there was a visible sign of amusement on her face.

“Well, Miss Bennett deserves an escort who doesn’t scowl at her.”

“Scowl,” Percy exclaimed with surprise before he shook his head in denial. “I do not scowl.”

“Yes, you do,” Jamie declared with obvious annoyance. “You did nothing but scowl every time someone spoke to Miss Bennett during supper.”

Laughter filled the room, as Constance quickly hurried over to the couch and none too gently pulled her son to his feet.

“That’s quite enough, Lord Westbury,” she scolded quietly. “Your tongue is getting the best of you, which tells me you’re more than ready to retire for the evening.”

“Yes, mother,” his nephew said with a look of disgust at being thwarted. When Constance narrowed her eyes at the boy, a cheeky smile suddenly curved his boyish mouth as he met his mother’s look of reproach. “But, I’m right about Uncle Percy scowling at Miss Bennett. You said so yourself when you and Aunt Helen were coming into the salon.”

The look of embarrassment on his sister’s face as her gaze locked with Percy’s might have made him laugh at any other point in time, but the fact she’d been discussing him and Rhea annoyed him. Constance grimaced and silently offered her apologies with a small shrug. Aware that his accusation had diverted attention away from himself for a brief moment, Jamie turned back to Rhea. The boy took her hand in his and lifted it to brush his mouth over the tip of her fingers in a courtly gesture.

“Good night, Miss Bennett. Please forgive Uncle Percy’s ill temper. He means nothing by it. He’s becoming quite irritable in his waning years.”

The boy’s words made Rhea laugh out loud while this time Percy was certain he was scowling as he glared at his nephew. Laughter erupted in the room once more as Constance gasped at his nephew’s insult. Aware of the fact he might have gone too far, Jamie’s nose wrinkled in regret.

“My apologies, Uncle Percy.” Jamie nodded his head at Percy in a gesture of regret.

Prepared to chastise the boy he heard Patience cough loudly. He glanced at his sister and immediately understood her silent warning. He had no call to berate the boy given his own error this afternoon with Patience. With a resigned sigh he offered a placating gesture to Constance.