Page 60 of Hearts of Briarwall

Andrew’s gaze narrowed. “May I ask what the idea was?”

Spencer swallowed hard while attempting to look as if he were an open book. “I believe she will come to you with it herself soon. She was merely practicing with me.”

“Practicing? To come to me with an idea?”

Spencer grinned. “Is it so hard to believe you are an intimidating figure? After all, it’s not every day that men are compared to—”

“Don’t say it.”

“—Greek gods.”

Instead of the expected chuckle, Andrew frowned. “Am I really so unapproachable? Even to my sister?”

“I didn’t say you were unapproachable. Miss Whittemore doesn’t seem to have any trouble approaching you, wouldn’t you agree?”

Andrew eyed him. “What is that supposed to mean?”

Spencer lifted his hands in defense. “Nothing. Only that watching you two is like watching an old married couple.”

“In what way?”

He puffed out his cheeks as he exhaled. “Well, you seem very comfortable with one another.”

“I’ve been responsible for the safety and reputation of Lydia’s friends as they’ve come into our home over the years. Miss Whittemore, Miss Janes, and Miss Burke—”

“Miss Burke? As in Oscar Burke?”

“Yes, his younger sister. His only sister out of six siblings. I’m sure you’ll meet her at some point. The four girls are nearly inseparable. It’s been a godsend, really. I don’t know what Lydia would do without her friends.”

“She’s had you.”

Andrew gave him a knowing look and lowered his voice. “No, she has not. Not the way she’s had those girls.”

“Women.”

Andrew blinked. “What?”

Spencer steeled himself. “I’ve observed that your sister and her friends are far past being girls and are, as we say in Birmingham with the utmost regard,women.”

Andrew huffed. Then sobered, blinking. Then he huffed again.

Spencer slapped him on the shoulder. “Don’t worry yourself. I’m sure it would’ve dawned on you in twenty, thirty years. See? I’ve saved you some time. Anyhow, we should change for dinner. No doubt Sir Lawrence will arrive soon, and I’m famished. What say we beat the ladies back down here, hm?” With a nod, Spencer made to escape the room, leaving Andrew staring out the window.

“Spencer.”

He turned back. “Yes?”

Andrew had turned his head away from the window only enough to give Spencer his profile. He spoke quietly, but with command. “I’m all too aware that my sister is growing up. All the same, I thank you for the reminder.”

Spencer eyed him with suspicion but found his friend sincere. “It was nothing.”

Andrew turned back to the window, and Spencer barely heard his response. “It is not nothing.”

An hour later, Spencer stood alone in the drawing room, having arrived before the others. His focus warred between anticipating the opportunity to discuss Sir Lawrence’s investment and seeing Lydia again. It was a war he did not wish for. He hadn’t expected her to be so forthcoming about their exchange that morning, nor so adorably nervous. And when she’d suggested he take her for a drive—teachher how to drive—well ... His silent answer hadn’t been,“Certainly not.”It had been,“How soon?”

He had to slow this down. He had to stop whatever it was that was growing between them.

But when the ladies entered the drawing room, his breath halted at first glance.

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