Page 52 of Real Earls Break the Rules

He tilted his head to the side. “I’d thought you’d forgotten about it.”

“Not a chance.”

One dark eyebrow shot up. “You’re persistent, aren’t you?”

She lifted her chin. “I can be quite tenacious. I was serious when I’d said I want to see it.”

A corner of his lips curled in a grin. “Tenacious indeed. The morning after tomorrow then?”

“I’ll be ready.”

“What will you tell your sisters?”

She gave him a mischievous smile. “Leave them to me.”

…

“I’d like a word with you.”

Brandon knew that tone better than anyone. He looked up from the billiard table to see his grandmother standing in the doorway. Her five-foot frame had the distinct posture of a military sergeant.

He set down his cue stick and motioned for her to enter. “How can I be of assistance?”

Her brows drew together and she stepped into the room and shut the door behind her. “Don’t you take that tone with me. You know precisely what this is about.”

“No. I don’t.”

“The village fair.”

For a moment, he wondered if she had spotted him feeding Amelia a piece of pineapple. He realized that was highly unlikely with all the hustle and bustle at the fair. She was most likely upset about what had transpired in the carriage ride. Although she wasn’t in their carriage, gossip traveled quickly.

He leaned against the billiard table and folded his arms across his chest. “What about the fair?”

“The duchess came to me and voiced her concerns about the middle Somerton girl.”

Amelia. “What on earth could she be concerned about?”

The dowager’s eyes narrowed. “I may be old, but I’m not a fool. Is there something going on between the two of you?”

Brandon kept his expression bland. The past year of keeping the estate’s financial troubles from his family had served him well. He’d become practiced at showing no emotion. His grandmother was remarkably astute and the smallest flinch or the slightest flicker of his brow could raise her suspicions.

“I assure you there is nothing going on between Amelia and myself,” he insisted.

“The duchess sensed something.”

Brandon rolled his eyes. “Amelia is an attractive young lady. You can’t expect me not to notice.”

Her rigid shoulders eased a degree. “Well, I’d rather you notice Lady Minerva.”

“I understand what you want.” His tone was more caustic than he intended, his grandmother’s repeated mention of Minerva was beginning to grate on him.

“Do you? I know there are financial strains on the estate. I’m also aware you do not feel the need to share the extent of the strains with me. While I appreciate your concern for my sensibilities, I want to see the estate looked after before I leave this earth.”

He eyed her and wondered how much to tell her. “I’m not ready to marry.”

“You need an heir and money. The duke’s daughter is the answer to your prayers.”

“I’m not attracted to her.”