Page 88 of The Curse of Indy Moore
“What a lovely girl you’ve brought home, Rooke. You make quite the pair!”
“We’re not partners in that sense. I’m assisting her with a business matter,” Mr. Hawthorne explained.
That shouldn’t have made my chest ache.
“Oh.” Virgil, like Colt had, deflated considerably and twiddled his thumbs. “Apologies, Miss Moore. I was too eager. This one doesn’t bring anyone home often, and the few times he has have been duds. That last lad was dreadful.”
Mr. Hawthorne pressed a hand to his forehead. “Yes, yes, my taste in partners is appalling. I humbly apologize for my grave transgressions.”
“Whatever you are apologizing for, I suggest you prostrate yourself in advance,” a woman said while entering on Colt’s arm. She had cool tawny skin and long, pin-straight black hair. Her dress had a more linear design, straight against her lithe form, but vibrant in its emerald hue. She didn’t don herself with jewelry because she was the focus, beautiful in every sense of the word.
“I will do no such thing. This suit is new, and while I do not doubt our housing staff, I will not take the chance of ruining it,” Mr. Hawthorne rebuked.
“Indy, this is my wife, Renli,” Colt said, smiling upon his wife’s thin arm.
Renli offered her hand and her condolences. “It is so unfortunate that you must not only deal with your condition but also Rooke. That must be taxing, you poor girl.”
“She knows I can hear her, right?” Mr. Hawthorne whispered to his brother.
“Should you ever need to escape, Hawthorne Manor is always open to you.”
Mr. Hawthorne threw his arms in the air. “Which I paid for! No one ever has any appreciation for me.”
“Ah.” Renli rubbed her ear. “There is a horrid buzzing noise. Can you hear it, honey?”
“Yes, it’s so strange that it only happens when Rooke comes home, isn’t it?” Colt replied jovially.
Mr. Hawthorne pouted like a petulant child. “This is why I don’t visit. The two of you gang up on me, and it is hardly fair.”
“Oh, please.” Renli waved her hand. “Any moment, you’ll have your defense—”
“Uncle Rooke!”
“There they are.” Renli stepped aside for two children to rush past her and into Mr. Hawthorne’s awaiting arms. The taller of the two had her dark hair in a bun, andshe wore a pair of jumpers, while the younger one had her hair cut to her shoulders and wore a puffy pink dress. They had Renli’s brown eyes, though a slightly paler shade of skin, closer to their father’s.
“You’ve come to my rescue.” Mr. Hawthorne wept with the girls clinging to his chest. He looked at the older of the girls. “Jenai, your mother is being mean to me.”
Jenai sent Renli a glare that could burn the house to the ground. “Mama, you said we shouldn’t be mean to anyone, especially family.”
“There can be exceptions to the rule,” Renli muttered under her breath, then nodded at me. “These are our girls. Jenai is our eldest, and Mei is our youngest.”
Mei gave a polite curtsy and showed off her somewhat toothless grin. Someone had lost their two front teeth. “Nice to meet you,” she said slowly, enunciating her words.
“It’s nice to meet you, too.” My cheeks ached from a smile that hadn’t departed since introductions began.
Jenai offered a wave but clung fervently to her uncle, where she whispered something that had Mr. Hawthorne giving an awkward smile. He whispered something in response, and Jenai pouted like she was disappointed.
Thea came into the dining room, sounding out of breath. She must have struggled to run with the girls. “Good. Lunch has started. Everyone is here and introduced, I hope?”
“Yes, I have been thoroughly humiliated in front of my colleague,” Mr. Hawthorne replied, standing with Jenai in one arm and Mei in the other. “Thank you all for that, by the way. It couldn’t possibly affect my reputation.”
“I do not know where his dramatics came from.” Thea pressed a gentle hand against my back to guide me toward the table. “Take a seat, dear. I hope we aren’t too much for you. We have quite the rowdy bunch.”
“There’s nothing to worry about. I am enjoying myself quite a bit,” I answered with a sideways glance at Mr. Hawthorne. He mocked me under his breath, causing the girls to giggle.
Staff came into the room carrying a tray of tea and light snacks. It was rather daunting, realizing we would be waited on. That had never happened before, and I found myself asking if I could help with anything. The woman pouring drinks merely smiled and asked me to sit. Except I didn’t know where. The Hawthorne’s were running around to take their seats, so I stood off to the side.
Thea sat at one end of the table with Virgil at the other. Colt and Renli sat beside each other, while Jenai and Mei went to take their seats beside Mr. Hawthorne. Renli said, “Jenai, come sit by Mama so Indy may have that seat. I imagine she’d be more comfortable by Rooke.”
