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“Funny. You carry yourself like you could be the eldest.”
Because he was. But he shrugged. These lies came easily to him. “My father and brother are both sickly.”
Boxby gave a quick nod of understanding. “And the finances.”
“Poor. Hence why I’m here.”
“And that’s why your home is in Cheapside?”
There were fashionable neighborhoods in London. And as the supposed son of a marquess, he ought to live in one of them. “The family home was sold years ago.” A truth. “The home my family resides in now was the one I could afford to purchase.” Somewhat true.
“And all your other siblings came with you?”
Ace drew in a deep breath. He should have expected this questioning. But he’d been distracted by thoughts of Emily. He looked at her now, her eyes brimming with worry. Was she concerned for him? He deserved this interrogation and far, far worse. “The best opportunities are here. For my brothers, they can make money and my sisters…”
Boxby finally softened, his features relaxing as his shoulders lost their tension. “They’ll make the best matches here.”
Ace nodded.
Emily pressed invisible wrinkles out of her skirt as she leaned forward in her seat. “Speaking of, tell us of your other sister, Anna. We’ve not had the pleasure of meeting.”
He did as she asked. Anna was the only blonde in his family and she was secretly the light in all their hearts. At seventeen, she still held touches of childhood that often made Ace smile and reminded him why all his hard work was worth the trouble. He knew his affection for his youngest sister shone through, but it wasn’t only her that he appreciated.
Emily had intentionally steered the topic of conversation to safer waters for his benefit. A gentle smile played at her lips as she listened to his description of Anna with rapt attention. He wanted to introduce Emily to his Anna. To all his siblings.
They’d like her.
She stole his breath now as she laughed at an anecdote he told about a time Anna had become stuck in a tree she’d climbed. It had taken two brothers to untangle her from the mess.
Boxby laughed too.
And that’s when Ace realized Emily had done more than just steer change the subject. She’d brought them to a sympathetic one. Boxby liked hearing about the women in Ace’s family.
A relieved breath rushed from his lungs. Ace was winning over the baron.
Thanks to Emily.
Again.
Did she consider herself unable to converse effectively? Not true. She might sometimes speak quickly or say too much but she always talked from her heart. He could see that clearly. Did she?
