She shot him a flat look. Truly? An admirable ambition? “And what about you,brother? What admirable ambitions do you have?”
“Helping you marry a prince.”
“What a commendable brother you are.” Or not a brother at all. In fact, the word had long since become a discomfort on her tongue. But the alternative was impossible. Yet, he served as aperfect example of how many things in life could simply be taken for granted. But this was her life, these were her choices, and she didn’t want to miss out on anything and only to have regrets later, much like the regrets she oftentimes sensed from Heart.
No, he was the last person who ought to lecture her. Plus, she’d heard all the rumors. Apparently, the red-faced fellow before her had once been quite the heartbreaker.
He poured two cups of tea and pushed one over to her. “Listen to me for once, I beg you. Stay away from Dare.”
She reached for the sweet preserve. “I’m curious. Did you have a falling out with the man?”
He started. “What?”
“Why are you so against him? Is it only because of his reputation?”
“I don’t need another reason. That’s enough.”
“Not for me.” She bit down on her scone, chewing while studying him.
“Damn it, Leonora, if you don’t stay away from that rogue, I shall be forced to take alternative measures. And while we are on the topic, these secret morning rides of yours are done as well.”
“Heart!”
He sat back and smirked. “Do I have your attention now?”
“Stop it, Heart. Are you my father? Do not think to threaten me.”
His smirk drooped, but instead of feeling sorry for him, Leonora felt only satisfaction. She motioned to the spread on the table. “You should eat something. One shouldn’t pick fights on an empty stomach.”
He scowled but still reached for a scone and butter. “I’ve never understood your habit of taking breakfast at this ungodly hour.”
She shrugged. It was a routine that had developed from riding early in the morning. This was her space in the morning where she could collect her thoughts.
“I like the silence.”
“What nonsense. You thrive with clatter.”
“I like silence in themornings.” She reached for another scone.
“Is that what you call your frolicking with that blackguard—silence in the morning? Your definition of silence is rather suspect. If I hadn’t witnessed it firsthand—”
She cut him off with a scoff. “Peering through the window hangings doesn’t suit you.”
“I just happened to look,” he bit out. He cleared his throat, plainly intent on changing the subject. “I received word from our parents.”
Her ears perked up. “Oh? How are they enjoying Wales?”
“They are staying another three months. Father has a bit of a cough.”
Interesting.
And at least one part lie.
She studied Heart. Was he aware their parents weren’t in Wales? That their mother had participated in a clandestine meeting in the park not even an hour ago? Leonora was convinced—not only that her family was steeped in secrets, but that she had only glimpsed the tree, not the roots.
She itched to dig them all out.
Finishing her second scone, she reached for another, dabbing a generous amount of preserves on this one. The sweetness would settle her sudden annoyance. She could, if she wanted, argue that all her life she had lived a lie. Or, at the very least, part of a lie. This was why, like this morning, she looked at other people’s actions rather than their words.
