He began to pace in front of her, obviously wanting to say something more and obviously holding back.
A gust of cold wind struck her just then and she shivered.
Brynne stopped pacing and his expression immediately softened to one of concern. “Still cold, Lettie?”
She nodded.
“I’d take you back inside, but I don’t think it’s safe to do so yet.” He made certain his jacket was securely wrapped around her shoulders and then lifted her slightly so that her feet rested atop his dry boots. He kept his arms around her to keep her fromslipping off, a circumstance she didn’t mind at all. She’d always liked Brynne and his protective nature, even more now that he’d come back home, big and muscled, and handsome as ever.
She inhaled the scent of him on his jacket, a scent of island spices and salty sea air. “I missed you, Brynne. I wish you hadn’t gone away.”
“Don’t get used to me,” he warned. “I’ll be off right after Suzannah’s wedding… and I’m not coming back.”
Lettie’s heart sank into her frozen toes. “Why not? This is your home. You belong here.”With me.
“No, I don’t.” He frowned and his eyes turned thunderously dark. “You keep forgetting that I’m just a foundling. Woodburne isn’t mine to claim. In truth, I’d have no home if it weren’t for the grace of Lord Woodburne.”
She knew his circumstances, as did everyone else in the village. But the unfortunate circumstance of his birth did not diminish his good character or his other fine qualities. “He and Suzannah love you.”
“They’re the only ones in that family who ever did. The others can’t abide me. Didn’t you notice the tension that existed in the room long before you hopped on your elegant chair and brought the festivities to a dramatic halt?” He shook his head and laughed softly once more. “You certainly got yourself noticed.”
She tipped her chin upward in moderate indignation because he was right, she had behaved unpardonably. “We’re talking about you now. You can’t leave.”Please don’t leave me.“And who cares about Suzannah’s horrid relatives? I’ve always tolerated you. We’ve been friends since forever.”
His big hands shifted on her waist as though he was preparing to let her go, but fortunately he decided against it. “Well, we were young and it was acceptable back then, but no longer. You shouldn’t like me or consider me a friend. You’re an earl’s daughter and I’m a nobody.”
“I detest it when you talk like that. You shoot arrows straight through my heart when you do. You’re one of the finest people I know. I wish you were my Bert. You could be, you know. B-E-R-T doesn’t have to be part of an actual given name such as Hubert or Bertram or Albert.” She grimaced. “Poor Albert. I hope he’s recovered from the shock. Do you think he has?”
He plunked her off him and set her gently, but firmly, aside. “Stop it, Lettie.”
“I will not. You have the first letter. B for Brynne. Now we just have to connect you to the E, R, and T. Brynne Edward Robert Tremayne. That’s a distinguished name and it contains all the letters that my guardian angel keeps whispering in my ears. B. E. R. T.”
“Stop making up names for me. And kindly tell your irritating angel, Jeremiah, to do the same.” He ran a hand roughly through his dark hair. “All I know is that I was named Brynne.” Still agitated, he grunted bitterly. “So thoughtful of my parents to leave that one hint of my identity before they abandoned me… assuming my mother even knew who my father actually was.”
“We also know that you have a birthmark in the shape of a wolf on the back of your shoulder. Is it still there?” She reached out to touch the spot, her heart aching for his lifetime of hurt. Why would anyone leave their child to strangers? She couldn’t imagine his mother being the sort of woman who took a different man into her bed each night. No, not his mother.
She felt Brynne tense the moment she set her hand on his muscled shoulder, so she quickly drew it away. “Sorry. That was awfully forward of me.” But it always felt good to touch him, even though he always tensed and backed away.
Lettie wanted to say more, but noticed her father approaching.
Brynne followed her gaze, his mouth set in a grim line. “My lord, I apologize for the manner in which I dealt with your daughter. I didn’t know how else to get her out of the dining hall before she made matters worse.”
“You have no cause to apologize to me, Brynne.” Lettie’s father turned to face her, sighing as he cast her a fatherly look of admonition. “However, you do. Not only to me but to the entire Woodburne family.”
“I know. I’m so sorry.” Lettie emitted a shaky breath that formed a vapor about her mouth. “I’ll go back in and express my sincere remorse to Suzannah and Bert.”
Her father held her back. “No, you had better not approach them yet. Suzannah is racked with sobs and doesn’t want to see you again. Ever. Your mother and sister are talking to her now. She might calm down in a year or two and agree to renew yourlifelongfriendship despite the pain you just caused her. One can only hope.”
She knew her father wasn’t purposely trying to make her feel worse, merely trying to impress upon her the havoc she had wreaked with her thoughtless words. But she and Suzannah had been friends all of their lives and surely she’d be forgiven soon for her one mistake. Granted, it was a very big mistake. “Her wedding is in two weeks.”
“That’s right. And you’re not going. The Woodburnes have requested your absence from the festivities. Considering your behavior, I had no choice but to agree.” He turned and gazed toward the portico. “Wait there for me while I fetch your mother and Eugenia. I’ve called for the carriage to take us home.”
While her father trudged off, Brynne remained behind with her to help her make her way through the snow in her impractical slippers. She was obviously having difficulty and her right slipper kept falling off. “This would be a lot easier if you just carried me the rest of the way.”
“For you, perhaps. Not for me.” He tensed again, which she found most confusing.
“You had no trouble earlier, although I’d much rather be swept into your manly arms than tossed over your shoulder and–”
“Forget it. I’m not taking you in my arms again.Ever.”
