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Constantine had no logical excuse for kissing Faith. He attributed it to the garden’s romantic atmosphere. What else could have addled him to the point of rashness?
He was not an impulsive fellow.
Most of the time, Faith vexed him like no other.
Even now, he had serious doubts about continuing her employment, ridiculous wager aside. Though while he’d have gladly seen the back of her head a week ago, the thought of never seeing her again after this week cramped his gut.
Mayhap the fish had been off, for surely he wasn’t feeling sentimental.
“Indeed, Miss Roth. Egypt was majestic and marvelous.” A tanner, thicker version of Constantine with slightly darker hair, Leopold offered her his elbow. “Permit me to accompany you to the house, and I shall regale you with stories about the pyramids. I toured a tomb while there. I hoped to see a mummy but wasn’t that fortunate.”
Martin muttered sourly, “It’s unnatural to desecrate a body in such a manner.”
“Oh, but it’s utterly fascinating.” She cast Constantine a mischievous glance from the corner of her eye.
Yes, little vixen. I know what you did.
Faith had neatly changed the subject and left Martin’s intrusive question unanswered.
Constantine gave her a conspiratorial wink, and her eyes rounded the merest bit.
Martin fairly fumed with suppressed irritation.
He’d not let the matter go. Of that, Constantine was certain. Which meant he needed to warn Mother and the others to speak most carefully when Martin prowled about. Everyone should give him a wide berth, as one would a venomous spider or poisonous snake.
“Let’s return to the house, shall we?” Constantine addressed Martin. “Mother mentioned she’d scheduled musical entertainment for after supper.”
“Probably some tone-deaf chit with a voice like a dying crow.” Martin perused the peaceful garden. “No, thank you. I’ll pass on the auditory torture. I’d prefer to remain here for a while.”
Leopold turned back at the entrance and glared. “No.”
He didn’t soften his refusal with a platitude or explanation. Instead, he reached inside his coat and removed the key. He extended it toward Constantine.
“Make sure to lock the gate, won’t you?”
Martin knew the garden was for the immediate family’s use. He’d been invited inside a few times growing up. However, he’d been banished after maliciously destroying several planters, dumping the remnants in the pond, and painting obscenities on the stone walls.
As Constantine accepted the heavy iron key, he made a mental note to find a new hiding place.
“As you wish,” Martin said in a tone that was anything but deferential. With a contemptuous glance around the oasis, he shrugged. “I need a brandy in any event.”
Constantine waited until Martin preceded him from the garden before he shut the gate and locked it. After dropping the key into a pocket inside his jacket, he clasped his hands behind his back and followed the others toward the house.
The moonlight from the clear sky strewn with millions and millions of twinkling diamond-like stars provided ample light for their return. In the distance, the gardens’ lanterns glowed invitingly. Voices, laughter, and music floated across the warm honeysuckle-scented air.
In a few short weeks, autumn would descend upon the countryside, dramatically changing the landscape. Constantine had always preferred summers to the cold and damp of winter. Mayhap he ought to try a bit of traveling to warm climes himself. He could further his studies of butterflies and moths in exotic locations. It might be quite fascinating, in truth.
Leopold drew to a halt a few feet from the base of the stairs leading to the terrace. Two older couples strolled past, trailed by a trio of young women. One skimmed her gaze over Leopold and Faith before leaning in to hear what her companion said.
Martin stomped by them without a word.
Surly blighter.
“I’ll return you to your betrothed, Miss Roth.” Leopold swept his overlong hair off his forehead. “It may be premature of me, but I think you will be a wonderful addition to the family.”
“Thank you.” Faith withdrew her hand from his elbow and raised guilt-filled eyes to Constantine’s. “If you’ll excuse me, I would like to visit the retiring room.”
“Of course.” Leo bent into a chivalrous bow, putting his notorious charm on full display.
