Page 72 of The Seductive Love of a Lady
Mary released his hand, because they all wanted to shake it.
‘I am proud to know you.’
‘Well done.’
Andrew accepted their comments with nods and brief nervous smiles as he was told not to bother with titles and pomp.
His hand searched for Mary’s.
She took it.
His fingers closed about hers and clung on.
Andrew’s heartbeat pulsed in the hand that held hers, the pace quicker than it had been when they stood on the stairs. He was fighting the bewilderment he felt among her family.
Her brother Robbie was the next to approach. She had longed to introduce them.
‘Lord Framlington, I am pleased to meet you. I should imagine life was pretty grim in that prison cell?’ he said, with the eagerness of an adolescent.
‘Robbie,’ Mary chided. ‘I have not even introduced you. Andrew, this is the eldest of my younger brothers, Robbie.’
‘You did not say I am your favourite brother, as she is my favourite sister.’ Robbie grinned broadly as he held out a hand to shake Andrew’s.
Andrew released her hand and accepted his. ‘Hello, favourite brother. Itwasextremely miserable in prison, it is not a place I would recommend.’
She knew from the glint in Andrew’s eyes that he liked Robbie instantly, but Robbie was such an easy-going, happy person, no one could feel uncomfortable around him.
‘My brother, Harry, and me, are notorious at college now, thanks to you. Everyone wishes to know us because our sister ran away with a scoundrel.’
‘Robbie!’
‘The lad is not offending me, Mary.’ Andrew smiled. ‘I am glad I brought you notoriety. Where is your brother?’
‘With the children.’ Robbie glanced at Mary. ‘He got into trouble at college for a prank so Papa would not let him come down.’
Mary rolled her eyes. ‘Typical Harry.’
Andrew’s fingers touched her arm. ‘Where is Caro?’
‘Seated in the corner by the window. You may quiz Andrew later, Robbie.’
Robbie grinned. ‘Indeed.’ He turned away, understanding the dismissal.
Mary saw that Caroline was watching them. She had not been left alone, Mary’s mother sat beside her, because, like Andrew, Caroline struggled to cope with this crowd of people. Everyone had tried to include her, but she did not want to be included, she preferred to be left alone.
As Andrew crossed the room, his hand holding hers again, members of her family continually delayed them, stopping Andrew to welcome and congratulate him. His hold on her hand became tenser. It was becoming too much.
When they reached Caroline, she smiled at him and Andrew let go of Mary and sank down on his haunches. ‘How are you?’
Tears trailed down Caroline’s cheeks as she leaned forward and enveloped him in her arms. They progressed the conversation in whispers spoken to each other’s ears.
Mary had always been close to Robbie, but she could see the closeness between Andrew and Caroline ran deeper; it was born of mutual suffering, not just a blood connection.
Something touched Mary’s arm. She glanced back. Her father held out his handkerchief.
She took it. Then touched Caroline’s shoulder and offered the handkerchief to her.
‘Thank you.’ Caroline sniffed back tears as she accepted it, glancing at Mary’s father for only an instant.
