“Quit looking at me like that.”
I grin wider. “I can’t help it. I’ve been in trouble with you since the first day we met.”
She steps back and drops into a slight curtsy, taking it as the compliment it is. “Why, thank you.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to be five minutes late?—”
She’s saved from answering by a knock on the door. I open it to find James Winters, the Burlington head of operations, standing there with a set of car keys dangling from his fingers.
I snatch them off him with a smile. “Thank you, James.”
“My pleasure,” he replies, in the same dulcet tone he does for any situation.
The man is professional through and through and totally unruffled with any request. After dealing with us for the past two decades, he’s learned to keep a neutral expression, so I’m all themore surprised when his brows rise into his hairline as Ruby appears behind me.
It’s been a busy few months with the polo season, and I realize I haven’t seen him since we got back from Colorado. Reaching for Ruby, I wrap my hand around her waist and pull her closer. But just because I haven’t seen him doesn’t mean he’s not fully aware of everything going on in the family, including my marriage.
If Lando and my mother haven’t told him directly, he would have overheard them complaining about it.
“James, I don’t believe you’ve met my wife, Ruby.”
“No, I haven’t had the pleasure.” He shakes his head and holds his hand toward her.
“Ruby, darling, meet James. He runs the Burlington rabble.”
“Then I hope they pay you overtime,” she says.
My head falls back with a loud laugh. “Not nearly enough.”
“I like you,” James adds, in an uncharacteristic show of familiarity, and Ruby responds with a blush and a smile.
I’m still getting used to the pangs of jealousy and possessiveness I experience when anyone makes Ruby react this way, and it seems the Army general, who practically raised me, is no different.
Lifting the keys, I dangle them. “Appreciate you bringing her over. You know there’s no one else I’d trust to drive her.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.” He nods slightly.
“You should. Want the Range Rover to drive back?”
He shakes his head. “No. It’s a beautiful evening. I’ll walk through the fields.”
“Good plan.” I slap him on the shoulder, guiding Ruby out behind me, and we all walk down the path together. “I’d stop by the pub too if I were you. Don’t hurry back.”
“Perhaps.” He chuckles, opening the garden gate. “Enjoy your evening.”
Before he walks off, I say, “James?”
“Yes, Miles?”
“Has everyone else left?”
He’s been with our family long enough that he can read between the lines. And just like he knew about Ruby, he’ll have heard about what’s gone down between Clementine and me. And what I’m really asking.
“Your mother and sister went up to London last night. They’re staying at the house in Eaton Square, along with His Grace and Miss Simpson. They’ll be staying at the house until her play run is over. I believe Lord Hendricks and Lord Alex are traveling up together this evening. Alex and Miss Wylder are also staying in Eaton Square as they have doctor’s appointments for the baby.”
I nod, ignoring the clench in my stomach. Normally, this sort of information would’ve been shared in the family group chat, but since my argument with Clementine, things have gone silent. Quite frankly, I haven’t wanted to speak to anyone in my family either.
I can’t decide who I’m more pissed off at. Hendricks, who knew and didn’t tell me, or Lando, who hasn’t bothered to check in since, just like everyone else in our family. And they all know.
