Page 42 of An Accidental Bride for the Duke
But in his eyes she saw how hard this was for him. More than that, things were not as they had been.
Whatever it was that was happening between them, a bridge had been crossed, and she understood well enough how big a deal that was. Their marriage was slowly on the mend, they were both willing finally to see where it might go, and Philip’s refusal to explain the situation to her was not personal. If anything, he appeared embarrassed.
“I understand,” she said gently, even reaching out to take his hand. He did not pull it back, which itself was a huge sign. “But just know, I am here for you. And I do not judge.”
He sighed and squeezed her hand back. “I know it, Iris. I am just…” A shake of the head. “Caught off guard, is all. But my younger brother is a kind soul. Likely, the two of you will get on well.”
“Is that a compliment?” she teased.
He scoffed. “If that is how you wish to see it.”
Iris’ body was still flushed from earlier. And still, she struggled to control the way it was shaking. Philip being forced to suddenly stop what he had been about to do was not meant as a punishment, but dammit if it didn’t feel like it was.
I will need to remind him later that he still owes me my reward…that thought alone had Iris smiling. Oh, how far they had come in such a short time.
Then, together, Iris and Philip started down the hall to meet this mysterious younger brother.
He was waiting in the foyer for them and when he heard their footsteps approaching the top of the staircase he spun about and beamed to see the two.
“Brother!” he cried joyously, holding out his arms. “Is this not a sight for sore eyes.”
“Percy.” Philip smiled warmly and it looked genuine. And then, letting go of Iris’ hand, he hurried down the steps to greet hisyounger brother. Which he did, wrapping him in a tight hug that told of how he felt about this particular sibling.
Iris was slower walking down the stairs, watching the interaction with extreme curiosity, for this was a side of the duke she had not seen before but wondered now if it spoke to his true nature.
Percy was young, his late teens by her guess. And unlike Lord Robert, he had the same over-sized features that Philip did, although his hair was a lighter shade. Not quite as tall either, he was still strapping and stood with confidence as joy emanated from him in a way that Philip had never been able to do.
“What on earth are you doing here?” Philip asked as he pulled away. “Don’t tell me…”
Percy laughed. “It is nothing as bad as that. Eton is on a break and where some of my chums chose to remain on campus, I thought it might be fun to surprise my surly older brother.”
“Eton?” Iris asked as she reached the bottom of the stairs.
Percy looked past Philip and beamed; his smile was sweet, as was the look in his eyes. “And this must be Her Grace. I was told to expect a beauty, but words hardly do you justice.” He stepped around Philip and came to Iris, taking her hand and giving the back of it a kiss. “I hope my brother appreciates how lucky he is.”
She could not help but laugh, as the young’s man energy was infectious. “Not nearly as much as he should.”
Percy laughed also. “Typical!”
“Percy is enrolled at Eton College,” Philip explained as he stepped around his brother and placed himself beside Iris. Then, most strangely, he slipped a hand around her waist. “Which is where I expected him to be right now.”
“As I said, we were given a break.” He shook his head. “See how he distrusts me.”
“Can you blame me?”
Percy grinned. “Oh, how I love coming back. I forgot how easy it is to upset you.”
It was all in good fun and Iris could see Philip smiling through the banter. He looked upon his brother with true love and adoration, no indication at all that he was ashamed as she thought he might be.Why was he so cautious about what I might think of Percy?
It was that protective side of Philip that Iris was starting to notice. He was all fire and brimstone when he wished to be, but just as caring when he needed to be.
“Sorry I couldn’t make the wedding,” Percy continued then. “Although in fairness, I wasn’t the only brother who didn’t.”
Philip’s expression darkened. “You haven’t heard from Robert, have you?”
“Not a word.”
Philip scoffed. “He’ll turn up soon, I am sure. Likely drunk and filled with excuses.”
