They followed in Sir Leslie’s wake, but at a much slower pace. Johnny all but vibrated with impatience, but he matched his steps to hers.
“You don’t have to worry,” he said. “Leslie has convinced me to stay.”
She pressed his arm. “I’m glad, but I’m not sure why you wanted to run away. I’ve missed you, Johnny. I feel like we hardly talk anymore.”
“Ha. You’re the one whose always busy, what with one fellow or another. If it’s not that idiot Richard Campbell, it’s Kade Kendrick you’re mooning after.”
She repressed a flare of irritation. Johnny was upset, or else he wouldn’t be so snappish with her.
“I’m not mooning after Mr. Kendrick, but he is a friend. It’s not so unusual that I would spend time with him, is it?”
“I suppose not. But please tell me that you won’t accept Campbell’s offer. He’s only after your money and the influence it could buy him for his stupid political ambitions.”
“Thank you for that flattering assessment,” she wryly said as they started up the path to the graveyard.
He grimaced. “I didn’t mean it like that, Charlie.”
“I know, and you are quite right. Fortunately, I have no intention of marrying the blighter.”
“Thank God.” He cast her a sideways glance. “But what about Kendrick? You do like him, don’t you? Quite a lot, I’ll wager.”
Charlie ignored the little flutter of her heart. “I do, but it doesn’t mean anything, dear. He’s just a friend.”
And she needed to keep telling herself that, no matter how bossy and overprotective Kade might be.
“I’m sorry, Sis. You deserve someone as grand as you are. I hope you find him someday.”
“I’ll bump along just fine. But I’m worried about you, Johnny. Something’s wrong, and I wish you’d tell me what it is.”
She felt him jerk under her hand.
“Why do you keep saying that?”
“Because I know you,” she quietly replied. “I can always tell when something is wrong. It’s why you want to leave, isn’t it?”
“I want to leave because Father is being his usual awful self to me,” he said, going back to surly. “I can’t say two words without him biting my head off.”
“I know, dearest, and I’m sorry about that. Papa is worried about you, as am I. That’s why he’s short with you sometimes.”
“Well, I’m fine, I assure you.”
They’d climbed up the path and could now hear the voices of the others up ahead. Charlie held her brother back.
“What now?” he said with an aggrieved sigh.
She searched his face. “Cut line, Johnny. I know it’s something bad. Is it money?”
He pressed his lips tight and looked past her for several painfully long seconds. She forced herself to wait it out.
“It’s nothing I can’t handle,” he finally said.
“Johnny—”
“No.” He chopped down a hand. “I’m telling you, Charlie, leave it alone.”
As he started to turn away, she grabbed his arm and pulled him back. For a moment, he refused to meet her gaze. When he finally looked at her, defiance shimmered in the brown eyes so like her own.
“Johnny, did you steal my brooch?”
