“Thank you, Lady Greatheart.” He selected a chair beside the small circular table in the middle of the room and turned his attention back to Catherine. “I left shortly after you made your departure so I’m not entirely sure.”
“I see,” Catherine replied, her curiosity piqued. “I hope my…behavior didn’t distress you.”
“Oh, no.” He lifted his palms as if to stop that very thought. “Not at all, I was simply ready to make my excuses and took the opportunity.”
“I’m relieved to know it,” Catherine replied.
“It was quite an eventful evening,” Lady Greatheart added, giving a decided sniff.
“Well, I hope you’re equal to another social event in your calendar. My mother gave me specific instructions to persuade you to accept her invitation to this Friday’s dinner party.” He raised a brow at Catherine, then directed his attention to Lady Greatheart.
“When asked with such charm, how could we say anything but yes?” Lady Greatheart replied with approval.
“And here I didn’t even try to add any charm. I must be a natural.”
“Indeed. I’m sure you have quite the following of ladies with that natural charisma,” Lady Greatheart said, arching a brow.
Catherine blushed at her grandmother’s brazen statement. It was none of their business.
“While I appreciate your compliment to my character, I’d have to disagree. As I’m sure Catherine can attest, there’s a difference between someone being attracted to the man and to the title, and I have no interest in trying to discern either. So I’m abstaining.” He gave a curt nod as if punctuating his decision.
“To the great disappointment of many,” Lady Greatheart remarked, an impish gleam in her eye.
At this he released his pent-up amusement, his face aglow with enjoyment, revealing a single dimple in his left cheek.
Belatedly, Catherine remembered that Quin was indeed several years younger than Avery. If Avery had been nearly thirty, then Quin must be around seven and twenty?
“That’s a pensive expression,” Lady Greatheart said playfully to Catherine. “She’s been a bit stuffy today.”
“Grandmother!” Catherine remarked, shocked. Heat crept up her neck.
“Calm down, ducky. Quin isn’t going to think less of you for being stuck in your own mind. Lord knows he’s been there too. I’d wager to guess he still is.” She jabbed a thumb in his direction and then picked up her needlework.
“I do believe we’ve both been property humbled,” Quin remarked teasingly.
“She has a way of doing that, at inopportune moments.”
“The best family always does,” he replied.
“As I’ve heard. I haven’t quite the audacity to decide if I agree or not.” Catherine shot her grandmother a narrowed glower, even as she couldn’t fight her amusement.
At her expression, Quin began to chortle. “Why do I feel as if you two are quite evenly matched?”
“Because you’re smarter than you look,” Lady Greatheart replied.
At his shocked expression, she added, “And you do look quite smart. Truly, you look the part of a professor. It was meant as compliment.”
Quin’s brow furrowed as if confused.
“You get used to it, her backward way of complimenting. Her heart is right, but sometimes you just have to remember her age,” Catherine replied, arching a brow.
“You’re exaggerating, dearie,” Lady Greatheart remarked.
Catherine said sweetly, “Just keeping you humble.”
Quin shook his head, chuckling at the entertainment before him. “And to think I was concerned about your welfare. I do think I should pity not you but your guests.”
“We’re lovely hosts,” Lady Greatheart countered, and as if on cue, the tea was brought in. “Even my timing is impeccable.”