“I just don’t think it would be much effort for him to eat with us on Mum’s birthday.”
“He has to get back home before dark,” their mum insisted.
Kit shook his head. “It’s not as though there’s nowhere for him to stay on St Mary’s. Why doesn’t he crash with one of us?”
“He’s got a lot of work on at the moment,” Mirren said defensively.
“Yeah, right.” Kit rolled his eyes to the ceiling. “The guy’s minted. He doesn’t need to work another day in his life.”
“It’s not about the money,” their mum said on a sigh. “He’s made commitments. He’s got orders to fill. He can’t let people down.”
“Not other people anyway,” Kit muttered. “Just his family.”
Seren gave him a fierce look. “You’re being mean now. Stop causing drama.”
“You realise my mum’s right there?” Kit gave her leg a shove. “If someone’s going to tell me off, it can be her.”
“I thought I’d give her the evening off since it’s her birthday,” Seren told him cockily, before switching her attention to Keira and Trystan. When the song came to an end, it was clear from the amusement in Keira’s eyes that they were discussing whether to continue dancing. Noah felt a small rush of relief when she carefully walked back towards him.
“She won’t dance with me again,” Trystan said with a pout.
“You’re lucky I danced with you at all.” Keira shifted the chair closer to Noah before sitting down. “That was enough dancing for me.” She slipped her hand into his and looked him right in the eyes. “Unless you want to swing me around the pub.”
He held her gaze. “I think that would be pretty embarrassing after you’ve danced with Trystan.”
“I doubt that,” she said, her voice so low and smooth that he wished they were alone instead of surrounded by his family.
“Any chanceyou’lldance with me?” Trystan asked Seren.
“Absolutely no chance, but thanks for asking.”
“That’s what I thought. Mum?”
She shook her head.
“Kit?”
He laughed. “One day I’ll freak you out by agreeing to it.”
“So long as I get to lead, I’m cool with it.”
Noah stroked the delicate skin at the back of Keira’s hand and managed to drag his gaze away from her. “You’re putting some disturbing images in my head,” he told his brothers. “I’m going to need more alcohol.”
“It’s a shame you two have to leave tomorrow,” Mirren remarked when they had fresh drinks in front of them.
“Can’t you ring in sick on Monday?” Kit suggested.
Keira nodded as she swallowed a slug of wine. “Work’s not really a problem. I could call in sick. My problem is I only packed enough inappropriate outfits for one night in Sicily. I even managed to spill Coke down my traveling clothes and the only other thing I have is …” She pressed her lips together. “Probably slightly useless!”
“What is it?” Trystan asked. “You have to tell us now.”
“Try not to laugh … but I imagined that tomorrow morning might be spent having brunch by the pool outside the villa. So I have my swimsuit and a lovely but slightly see-through tunic dress.”
“The weather looks like it might be good enough for a beach day tomorrow,” Mirren said with a small smile. “But if clothes are the only problem, you and Seren are about the same size. I’m sure you could borrow something.”
“You can if you want,” Seren said.
Noah took a long swig of his pint. He didn’t want to make a big deal of it, but he was keen to leave before the gig race. “I think we’ll stick to the original plan and fly back tomorrow.”