Page 96 of Hearts of Briarwall

“A lot of us have been wondering that very thing.” He watched his friend at the window. “I find it ironic that you should blow like Vesuvius upon finding me and Lydia together, but you maintain this calm after learning of Piedmont’s betrayal.”

“I didn’t lay a finger on you,” he said darkly. “But heaven help thatpeacocknext time I find him alone.”

Spencer let that statement simmer, finding some odd comfort in it.

Andrew took a deep breath. “I heard he withdrew his funding.”

“Doeseverybodyknow?”

“Oscar paid me a visit.”

“Did he?” Spencer considered the things Oscar might’ve shared, the things that had transpired in the last twenty-four hours, let alone the past week. “Did he tell you that you were a rightgit?”

Andrew dropped his head. “Among other things.”

Spencer lifted his brow in surprise, but schooled his features as Andrew turned to face him.

“Do you really believe it of me?” Spencer asked. “That I could be so underhanded? That I would treat you, after all you’ve done for me, with suchdeceit? I did not plan on anything with Lydia—as a matter of fact, I swore up and down I would not allow any woman in my life for some time. I attempted to talk her out of her investment, but shepersisted. She issopersistent. But Andrew—” He paced a step in one direction, then another, pushing a hand through his hair. He stopped. “She iswonderful.” He threw out his hands and let them drop to his sides. “She is wonderful to me.” He shrugged, unable to express himself further. “That is the sum of it.”

Spencer let that declaration float on the silence that followed.

Finally, Andrew shifted. “I’ve watched her,” he said in a low and gravelly voice, “change from a carefree butterfly-of-a-child to a grounded bird stripped of all sense of safety and security. Wild-eyed and questioning when her upturned world would be put back to rights. For months she asked me when Mama was coming home. She would ask if we could use the motorcar to go find her.”

Spencer closed his eyes in sympathy.

“I finally took her to visit the grave. She hadn’t been allowed to attend the burial. Mr. Piedmont was too protective of her and Mrs. Piedmont too unconcerned. But I couldn’t stand her asking to get in a blasted motorcar any longer.” He paused and huffed, likely at the irony that Lydia had never stopped asking to get in a motorcar. “But I did take her. Warren accompanied us. And I explained to my six-year-old sister that Mama was never coming back. That Papa would never tell her stories again. And that I would do my very best to keep her safe. It was the last time I ever cried.”

Spencer believed it.

Andrew’s gaze remained on the floor, his expression clouded. “Have you ever tried to keep a bird whose wings have healed from taking flight again? It’s exhausting.” He chuckled, and Spencer lifted his brow at the accuracy of the mental image.

Andrew ran both hands over his face. “It seems I’ve allowed fear ... and loss ... to get in the way of everything. In my attempt to safeguard Lydia, I’ve lost her.” He swallowed hard. “And a good friend.”

Spencer shook his head. “I’m still ’ere, ain’t I?”

Andrew suppressed a grin. Standing up straight and tall, he looked Spencer square in the eyes. “Can you forgive me? For being a right git?”

Spencer felt his shoulders relax, and he folded his arms across his chest. “I suppose I could manage it. If you forgive me for kissing your sister.” He suppressed his own smile, knowing they were through the worst of it.

Andrew narrowed his gaze. “What kind of brother forgives that?”

Spencer mirrored the look. “I’m not actually sorry.”

“Hmph.”

“About that,” Spencer hedged. “You’ll be interested in knowing I’ve taken on a full partner.”

Andrew glanced around the richly furnished office, and his gaze landed on the papers on the desk. “Have you, now?”

Spencer straightened. “I have. Hayes and Janes Motor Supply.”

Andrew considered that. “Has a nice ring to it.”

“That it does. And though nothing is for certain, I’ve got a new grip on my future.” Realization struck him again, and he felt a thrill of hope. “Asolidfuture. And you can be certain of this, Andrew Wooding—I’ll be seeing Lydia. As in, I’ll be courting her.” He leaned forward, his brow arched. “Just so you’re aware.”

Andrew shook his head. “Is that so?”

Spencer gave a single nod.

---