Page 152 of Pride: The Rogue
Again, he giggled.
“Silly, Auntie Livvie.” James yanked her mouth down at the corners and kept her face frozen like that. “Yourfrown. They talk about your frownsooomuch.”
Splendid. “Haff they?”
Ironically, were it not for the firm way he dug his fingertips into her cheeks, Livian would have smiled.
Peering at her, James squinted hard, then guided Livian’s lips up into the desired position. Apparently pleased with his efforts, he beamed.
“Mama, Papa!” James cried. “I made Aunt Livvie smile.”
On that damning, mortifying declaration, James used the same fingers holding Livian’s lips in place and steered her face for all to see.
Livian’s stomach sank.
Everyone: Verity, Malcom, Billy—hell, even newborn babe, Evangeline, who Livian could count on both hands the number of times she’d seen the baby’s eyes open—stared, and with varying degrees of sadness, worry, and confusion.
This is why she hadn’t wanted to come. Not only did she have her sister and brother-in-law and Billy fretting about her, but now Livian’s young nephew.
Livian attempted a real smile, but it felt more like a pained grimace.
In perfect—and alarming—harmony, that trio across the room stood in unison.
Avoiding Livian’s eyes, Billy rescued their young niece from Verity’s arms and hurried out.
Verity, on the other hand, headed over.
Oh, hell. Billy had given a vow of silence to not discuss Lord Forfar’s attack with Verity. Were Malcom to find out, he’d absolutely kill the viscount. Livian would never bring that suffering down upon Verity’s family. Billy well-understood that.
Which could only mean…
They knew about Lachlan.
As her sister marched over like a determined general, Livian briefly eyed the door, but her wiry brother-in-law stood blocking all hope of escape.
When Verity reached them, James launched himself into his mother’s arms. “Mama!”
While mother and son embraced, Livian came reluctantly to her feet.
Verity touched her nose to James’s button one. “I see you are enjoying time with Aunt Livvie.”
“I make her smile, Mama. She’s not sad now.” James turned quickly to Livvie and pointed. “See?”
Oh, double drat.
James’s grin dipped. “She sad again.”
Verity kissed his cheek. “Would you mind if Mama had some time with Aunt Livvie?
Your papa wishes to take you climbing.”
James let out a little whoop and took off running.
“Bye, Aunt Livvie,” he shouted, without looking back.
“Good—”Bye.
James had already sailed out.
