Ravenhurst, the Library

 

“I hope Grayson’s niece is pretty,” said Katherine, sitting heavily on the sofa and propping her feet up.

“Wife,” Sebastian said, lifting his brow in warning. “What are you up to?”

“Nothing…” She gave him a look of innocence. “I was just making conversation.”

“Right,” he said doubtfully. “Now tell me, what are you up to?” He lifted her legs and placed them on his lap.

“Fine,” she sighed. “I am hoping Grayson’s niece is pretty so maybe she and Devlin can… you know…” She widened her eyes.

His brows creased. “So they can what…exactly?” he prodded.

“Oh, you know.” She shifted uneasily.

“No, I do not or I wouldn’t be asking.”

“Did you hear that?” she asked, looking trapped.

“No.”

“I think I hear Cook calling for me to sample some of her newly made confections.” She tried to move but Sebastian held her feet.

“Not so fast,” he said. “You are going to tell me what trouble you are trying to stir up.”

“Why do you always assume I am going to stir up trouble?”

“Because you usually do, that is why.”

“I already told you, it was not my fault Marguerites mother tried to kill you. That was Isabelle’s fault.”

“I am not talking about that.” He raked his hand through his hair.

“Then what are you trying to say, husband?” She pursed her lips together.

“Why are you so hell bent on fixing Devlin up with someone?” He rubbed her leg, massaging the calf. “Perhaps he is happy staying on at Hawthorne, alone.”

“That feels good.” She ignored his question and leaned further back in the cushions.

“I will stop if you do not answer me.”

She slanted her eye open. He didn’t look like he was kidding this time. “Oh, all right.” She made a face. “He is lonely.”

“How do you know, did he tell you?”

“No, he didn’t tell me, but he seems sad every time he sees us together.”

“That is because he wants you and didn’t get you.”

“No, it’s not that. He doesn’t feel that way about me…” Katherine stopped when he lifted his brow, with a doubtful look on his face. “Okay, maybe he did, for a while, but we are only friends now. He is like a brother to me.”

“You know,” he paused stroking his chin in thought, “not too long ago it was perfectly acceptable for a sister and a brother to marry to keep the bloodlines pure.”

“What?” She gaped at him. “That is…well, not right.”

“Well no, it was not right and it turns out most of the offspring of such a match ended up certifiably insane.”

“What are you getting at?”

“I am only pointing out his feelings for you may be a bit more than the platonic relationship you think you have with him. Mayhap he is hoping to get you away from me…or at the very least, his intentions may not be as pure as you think. Men do not usually become friends with women unless they want more from the relationship.”

“Don’t be silly. Devlin is not in love with me…” Her brows creased. Is he?

“I see you are giving it some thought.” He lifted his brow.

“Fine.” She chewed on her lip. “I am not saying he is but it is all the more reason to fix him up with someone else …right?”

“Now that you put it that way…what can I do to help?” He gave her a devilish grin.

“Keep rubbing my legs and I will give it some thought.”

“I will do more than that,” he said, moving his hand even higher.