Tristan rubbed his temples. “If you’re waiting for me to read your thoughts, we can stay here forever.”
Rowan nodded and cleared his throat. No words came out of his mouth.
“Why are you so frightened of me?” He wished his tone sounded less intimidating, but hell, Rowan needed to become more determined.
At his age, Tristan had already been working with Father, travelling with him across the country and doing the combined chores of a farmer, secretary, and manservant while George had put his business expertise at their disposal.
Rowan flinched. “It can wait.” He turned around and started towards the door.
“Rowan.”
The boy stopped and faced him.
“I don’t mean to frighten you. What is it?” He forced his tone down.
“I want to ask Lady Effie to come tomorrow,” Rowan whispered.
A little shot of energy went through him, which annoyed him. He might not see her tomorrow, even if she agreed to see Rowan.
“And?” he asked.
“Is it all right?” Rowan regarded him from underneath the curtain of his golden curls.
“Yes, why wouldn’t it be?”
Rowan fiddled with his hands. Tristan waited for an answer, but aside from shivering and tormenting his hands, Rowan didn’t say anything else.
“I’m glad you like her and that you’re making friends,” he went on to encourage him. “I didn’t know you wanted to become a veterinarian.” That had surprised him, but he hadn’t wanted to show his shock in front of everyone.
His half-brother remained silent.
“Rowan—”
“May I go now?” Rowan stared at the carpet.
“Yes, you may.” He threw a hand up.
Rowan ran out of the study before Tristan could say more. His half-brother was terrified to death of him, and he had no idea what to do to change that.
Effie triedto hide behind her cup of tea as she was having breakfast with her father. Her dancing with Tristan had caused quite a stir, and Papa had given her a hard time with his questions.
“Did Montcrest say something about me?” he asked.
She buttered her slice of bread. “The answer isn’t going to change after you ask me the same question for the fifth time. No, he didn’t.”
“But you must have talked about something.” He folded and unfolded his copy ofThe Times.
“I told you. It was a normal chit-chat.” Aside from Tristan’s heartbreaking story about his family and his obvious loneliness. “Nothing to do with you.”
“I don’t understand why you don’t want to tell me the truth.”
Pepper stopped chewing his rubber ball to stare at him.
She put the knife down. “Honestly, am I at Scotland Yard now?”
“He rushed out of the room, seemingly in distress, and you went after him. I noticed that.” He tapped the table nervously. “There. I didn’t want to mention that, not to embarrass you. But you gave me no choice.”
She tried to remain deadpan. “He didn’t feel too well all of a sudden and left. I simply followed him to make sure he was all right. That’s all.”
