She sat next to him. “I want to choose you.” She set her hand on his arm.
“Then do. We’ll tell your parents whenthey arrive.”
Her hand dropped off his arm and into her lap. “I’m scared. I followed my heart once and it… it broke everything. My mother did not talk to me for six years. I have not known my sister. I lost my father’s love, if I ever had it. And they… they do not approve of…”
“Me.”
She swallowed.
“They want someone like Tilbury.”
“Yes. And you are… so very bright and loud and… and…”
“Naked?”
She laughed, but it was a desperate sound, a little lost. He took her hand in both of his, held them gently, kissed her palm, and she leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder as he wrapped an arm around her
He did not know how long they stayed there. Time stopped existing until Aria stepped into the door.
“Oh!” She spun around, covering her eyes. “I do apologize for the intrusion. I was sent to find Tessa. Your parents are here, Tessa.” She peeked over her shoulders, grinned.
And Remmy let Tessa go. “We’ll talk later.”
She clung to him, shaking her head. “Come with me please, Remmy. I need you to be there. I cannot think straight, and my heart hurts. I might be sick. Please come with me.”
Ah. He knew what an ailing heart felt like. “Very well.” He followed her outside where her parents and Tilbury waited. And Verity, bouncing on her toes as his sister Aria always did, giving Tessa a wave, trying to hide it. Had that little girl felt as lonely as Tessa always had when they’d been children? Had she cried for missing her older sister?
Remmy stayed a few steps behind Tessa, feeling out of place. He hadn’t felt this small since the day Tessa left with Lady Chattaway. He’d died a bit that day, picked himself back up, put away the feel of Tessa’s hand last clasped in his as he’d helped her up into the coach, and set to work to build a life.
It had all been for her, hadn’t it. He hated it when his siblings were right.
“Shall we walk in the gardens?” Tessa asked.
“I suppose.” Her mother looped her arm through Tessa’s with a quick glance at Remmy. Quick but lethal. He heard her message clearly enough.
Stay away.
The groups coalesced naturally after that—the vicar and the rector took the lead together, and Remmy and Verity rounded out the back.
He tried not to watch Tessa walk as they rounded the house for the gardens. He failed. In that soft green, her curves were generous, elegant. He wanted to kiss each hip before stepping between them. He wanted to kiss her breast over her heart before sliding into her.
“You’re quiet.”
He almost stumbled but righted himself and glanced at the thirteen-year-old who’d become his walking companion. “I’m ruminating.”
“It’s not a very charming thing to do. I expected more from you. Aria says you’re her favorite brother.”
“Of course I am. And you’re right. I’m not being a good companion. How shall I charm you, Miss Verity?”
“Any way you please. You’re the expert, so I hear.”
“And you are thirteen, so my usual methods are not applicable.”
“I’m scandalized!” She sounded delighted. “I’ll tell Aria you’re my favorite, too.”
He glanced at Tilbury, leading the walk. “Am I?”
“Oh yes.” Her own gaze followed his, found his target. “Absolutely you are.”
