Quin seemed to fully relax. The tight hold of his shoulders had released, and even his expression had softened dramatically. The small lines around his eyes were smoothed away, and his smile was not forced but natural. It was odd. Though he and Avery were very clearly brothers—as was evidenced in several mannerisms and expressions—they were also very different. It was welcome to have an acquaintance, maybe even a potential friendship, with someone who so closely resembled the man she had once loved. It was almost like having a piece of him still, but not quite. Quin and Avery weren’t alike enough to confuse the two, by any means. Simply a beloved flavor that was similar.
“Tea?” Lady Greatheart asked as she set aside her needlepoint.
Quin nodded. “Please. Two sugars, if you don’t mind.”
“I had taken you for a purist.” She clucked her tongue. “Sugar it is.”
“You’re awfully cheeky today, Grammy,” Catherine chided. “Poor…Quin. Can’t a gentleman take his tea as he wishes?”
“Of course, just saying that you can’t trust first impressions, that’s all.” Lady Greatheart handed the china cup into Quin’s outstretched hand.
“I can defend my own preferences, Lady Catherine.” He shot her a daring look and turned to Lady Greatheart. “You’re not the first to be surprised I take anything in my tea, though for the life of me I cannot understand why anyone would care what I do or do not do to my tea.”
“It’s because you’re so serious. People assume you’re circumspect and dull. But don’t worry.” She studied him as she took her seat. “We know the truth.”
Catherine was quite diverted by her grandmother’s antics.
“And what is that truth, Lady Greatheart?” Quin asked, playing along.
Lady Greatheart took a sip of tea, and Catherine smiled to herself, knowing her grandmother was drawing out the attention. Savoring it. At last she answered.
“That you, Quin, are proper but not circumspect, and you are most certainly not dull. You’re quite entertaining in character.”
“You say that as if you’re surprised.”
“I was. But no longer.” She raised her cup in a toast.
Quin looked at Catherine with an expression of delighted disbelief. “You have your hands full, don’t you?”
“With her? Yes. Always,” Catherine replied, amusement on her face.
It was welcome, the sense of lightheartedness. It filled her and felt like warm sunshine on a spring day, a break from the bleakness of winter.
“Tell me, Lady Catherine, do you have any engagements for this afternoon?” Quin asked.
Catherine shook her head, then replied, “Not particularly. Unless you qualify embroidery as a priority.”
He grimaced. “I can’t say that I do, but I have great respect for those who can make such dainty stitches. What of you, Lady Greatheart?”
“Whatever do you have in mind, Quin? You have quite the captive audience.”
Quin grinned at her words, then shrugged. “Nothing too interesting. I just wondered if perhaps you wished to visit the park for a stroll? It’s lovely outside and…” He paused, his expression taking on a more serious mien. “I’d rather you not be alone.”
Catherine froze, studying his expression and replaying his words in her mind. Suspicious, she leaned forward. “Why is that?” Her words were clipped, even to her own ears, but she wasn’t regretful about it.
Quin leaned back, as if her words, or the tone, were surprising. “Because you had a fit of the vapors recently, and I wish to be of service,” he answered, affirming her suspicions.
“No, thank you,” Catherine replied succinctly, her suspicions confirmed. A swirl of emotion clogged her throat, knowing she wasn’t going to react well if he pressed her. She stood and made her excuses, quitting the room before she could say something she couldn’t take back or, worse yet, have another bloody breakdown.
She entered the hall and was starting toward the stairs when Quin’s voice called out to her. “Lady Catherine.”
Taking a deep breath, she turned and watched as he strode nearer purposefully. “My apologies if I said something to upset you.”
“It’s of no consequence,” she replied, careful to keep her chin level.
He eyed her skeptically. “Whenever my mother says something like that, it most certainly means it was of great consequence.”
Ire triggered, Catherine took a step toward him, her temper simmering. “Are you saying I’m dishonest?”