All That I Want (The Hesitant Husbands #2)

Chapter 5

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you,” Gavin replied, concern etching his face. “You just looked as though you were unwell.”

“I’m fine,” Lainey said, exasperated and a little embarrassed at having been caught lost in thought about him. “But why are you here? The guests aren’t arriving until tomorrow. I didn’t expect company today.”

“I’ve been visiting my father and Kate, and I had a meeting with Aidan this morning, so I arrived early.” He gave her a mischievous smile. “I’m sorry if that doesn’t fit in with your plans, but I’m afraid you are stuck with me this evening.”

She rolled her eyes. “Well, that is just fabulous,” she said, her tone laced with sarcasm, but a smile belying her words.

“You are not unwell?”

“Not at all. I was just…thinking.”

“Oh? Anything I can help you sort out?”

Ha! “No, I don’t believe so. But thank you for offering. If you’ll excuse me, I need to get out of my traveling clothes. I do hope you will join Eliza and myself for tea?”

“You know I never miss an opportunity to eat.”

“It’s a wonder you aren’t as large as a house.”

He chuckled. “Give me time.”

Lainey remained for a moment, looking up at him. His brows drew together in question. “Lainey, are you quite sure you’re all right?” he asked, gently grasping her elbow.

A tingle ran down her arm and her breath caught. She gave herself a mental shake. “Yes, I’m fine, thank you,” she said brightly. “I will see you shortly.” She escaped down the hall before her over active imagination got the best of her. It was absolutely maddening how her body reacted to his touch. Honestly, had she no self-control?

Although, it really would help if he weren’t so devastatingly attractive.

Gavin watched Lainey glide away. How odd. He could have sworn she’d looked at him…well, like she used to before everything went to hell. He missed the closeness they’d had. Perhaps having someone else to focus on might help heal her pride and they could go back to sharing the bond they’d once had. If it didn’t kill him to watch her fall in love with someone else.

He wandered down to Aidan’s study, where he found the earl seated behind his enormous desk. “The ladies have arrived,” Gavin said, lowering himself into the chair across from Aidan. “The guests descend tomorrow. Are you ready for this?”

“God no.” Aidan’s mouth was set in a line. “What was I thinking?”

“That you love your sister and want to see her happy?”

“Ah. Yes. There’s that.” Aidan set down his pen. “What do you make of her sudden change of heart about marriage? I was beginning to despair of her ever getting settled, but now that she’s approaching all this with such practicality…it doesn’t feel right. I’m worried that she’s rushing into this.”

Gavin nodded. “It certainly seems that way. I don’t agree with her choice, but Lainey has always been like a dog with a bone once she gets an idea in her head. And if I know her at all, she’s given this a great deal of thought, even if she hasn’t shared those thoughts with you.”

“I suppose.” Aidan leaned back in his chair and swiveled to stare out the window. Two birds were doing a merry dance, darting in and out of the remaining flowers, and Aidan watched them for a moment. “Have I done right by her, Gav?”

Gavin sat up straight. “Aidan.” The earl drew his attention back to Gavin’s face. “You were barely a man yourself when you had to assume the role of both mother and father as well as big brother. Lainey is a beautiful, kind, and compassionate woman. She has wanted for nothing, but that hasn’t made her spoiled. She is tremendously independent, well-liked, and stands up for those who can’t speak for themselves. You have done an amazing job raising her, and you should be proud.”

“She is an extraordinary woman,” he conceded. “But she hasn’t seemed herself since that damned broken engagement. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but she’s different. Less self-assured. She was always so vivacious and confident, but somehow that sparkle has dimmed.”

Aidan may as well have kicked Gavin right in the teeth. Gavin had everything to do with dimming Lainey’s sparkle. He’d spent two years trying to put it back.

“She claims her heart was broken,” Aidan continued. “But here’s the thing. I didn’t think she was all that much in love with Danby to begin with…in fact, I was completely surprised when he came to speak with me. I’d always thought they were simply friends, so I don’t understand why she’s seemingly shrinking in on herself.”

“Well, she did have to weather the ensuing scandal. That weighs heavily on a person.”

Aidan gave his friend a sympathetic smile. “You can certainly understand that, I know.” He gazed out the window again, lost in a memory. “It was not easy for her to be whispered about and cut out of social engagements. That first year was devastating. Completely ruined her following season and any hope for a match. It amazes me that somehow she was made out to be the guilty party even though Danby is the one who broke it off. Yet my sister became the pariah! None but those who knew her best would associate with her. And of course, this year I was too busy falling in love myself to notice if anyone had caught her eye.”

“You know she would have told you if they had.”

“Things have settled down now and it appears she’s been forgiven, but do you think that’s why no one has offered for her?”

Gavin pursed his lips. “To be honest, I’m not entirely sure that no one has. I’ve noticed several men show interest in her, but she seems to be the one who is reluctant.”

“Then why the devil the big rush? Six months ago, I couldn’t get her to go out riding with a man, now she wants to marry a total stranger? It makes no sense.”

It didn’t make sense to Gavin, either. Lainey had wanted nothing more her entire life than to be loved fiercely, and it angered him that she was going to settle for companionship instead.

“This whole Center for Underprivileged Women took me by surprise,” Aidan continued. “I had no idea she was planning any of this. She’s always been involved in charities, but I didn’t realize her passion had gone so far.”

“Nor I. But I think it’s an admirable undertaking.”

“It is indeed. But why can’t she just let me loan her the money she needs? Why is she insisting on doing this all on her own?”

“I think…” Gavin said slowly. “I think that is the point.”

Aidan sighed. “I suppose I have to let her be her own woman someday, don’t I?”

Gavin smiled. The bond between Lainey and Aidan had always warmed his heart, especially since he hadn’t had that kind of relationship with his own twin. Garrett had been a despicable man with a black heart that could hold no love for anything, and Gavin…Gavin had just wanted his brother’s love. Although he had always envied the Lockwoods their closeness, he was also so very grateful their familial love had encompassed him as well. If not for them, his childhood would have been very bleak indeed. “She’s an intelligent woman who knows what she wants. It doesn’t matter if we agree or not, we aren’t going to be able to talk her out of this.”

Aidan nodded. “I know. I just want what’s best for her.”

“Maybe being her own woman is what’s best for her.”

Aidan regarded his friend. “When did you get so bloody wise?”

“I’m going to be heading up the new millinery division. I have to sound like I know something about life!”

Aidan laughed. “Speaking of which, I have the papers here for you to sign. I’m pleased we were able to move on that warehouse so quickly. You’re right, it’s ideal for our new location. This is the final contract here, so once you sign, I’ll courier them to London and it will be ours.”

Gavin took the offered sheaf of papers. “Do I need to read over these?”

“Not unless you don’t trust me.” Aidan winked. Gavin grinned and reached for the fountain pen, signing with a flourish.

“Congratulations! You are now general manager of our millinery division…and equal partner.”

“I’ll drink to that!” Gavin had worked his whole life for this moment, in so many ways. He could scarcely believe it was finally happening. He headed to the sideboard and glanced at his pocket watch. “Is eleven too early for scotch?”

“Are you kidding? Not with the week we are about to have!”

Gavin chuckled as he handed Aidan a glass with a small amount of amber liquid in it. “Here’s to new adventures.”

“In more ways than one,” Aidan replied, raising his glass. “Cheers, mate.”

“So,” Gavin said, taking a healthy swallow. “I think we’ve managed to compile a decent guest list for your sister, no?”

“I hope so. I want her well cared for. I’ve certainly managed to bore her to death with my choices for husbands. Perhaps you’ll fare better.”

Gavin gave a shout of laughter. “Sometimes I did wonder if you actually knew your sister.”

Aidan’s gaze grew speculative. “You do often seem to know her better than I do. I didn’t think that was possible, but somehow you manage.”

“We are great friends, Lainey and I. Or at least, we were,” he added under his breath. He rushed on at Aidan’s sharp glance. “Sometimes it’s easier to talk to friends than it is your family.”

Aidan studied Gavin for several heartbeats, an unreadable expression on his face. “Perhaps you are right,” he finally admitted, sitting forward. “Plus, apparently, I was scary.” He looked down at the list to his right. “Oh, I forgot to mention, it seems we are adding one more guest to the list. Pritchard wrote me asking if he could bring a gentleman who is staying with him for a few days. Some distant cousin who has apparently inherited an estate north of here. Pritchard offered him lodgings while he was in London taking care of some business. New money, looking for a wife. One Charles Devereaux. I don’t know anything about him, do you?”

“Can’t say as I’ve heard of him. But Pritchard is a good sort, and he adores Lainey. I doubt he’d bring someone unsuitable. He probably just wants to introduce Devereaux around.”

“Probably. Well, what’s one more at this point? Though I’m afraid it’s going to mess with Lainey’s numbers. She is not going to be happy about that.” Aidan consulted his pocket watch and gusted a sigh. “Is eleven too early for a double scotch?”