Chapter 14

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

H yacinth had defended his family, and it was humbling she would do so when he had hurt her.

She wore a pale gray coat today, almost silver. It had small rose buttons down the front and rose embroidery on the collar and cuffs. Her bonnet was rose, as were her gloves. She looked exactly what she was—a wealthy member of London society.

"How is your injury?" Leo asked.

"Healing, thank you," she threw over her shoulder.

Leo studied her children, who, as it turned out, were his siblings' friends. The fact that all this time, Theo, Fred, Anna, and Matilda had been keeping company with Hyacinth's children was odd. But then, how would they know? His siblings were certainly old enough to wander there with no one accompanying them.

"Lashings of tea and cakes," Leo heard Alex say like an excited child. "Is there anything better?"

Food was very important to Nightingales, but none more so than Alex .

"My brother likes to eat," Leo said to Hyacinth when she glanced Alex's way. "Lots of it."

"I have a son like that," she surprised him by saying. "Simon can eat twice as much as me and Meg and still be hungry." Her daughter then drew her attention, and Leo's family drew his, but he was aware.

"Fred, you are not starving. Please do not stuff food into your mouth," Leo said.

His sister glared at him. "I feel like if I do not eat in haste, Alex or Theo will take it from my plate."

"They won't, because they have better manners than that," Leo said, giving both brothers a hard look. "In public, we do not behave like the heathens we are at home."

Leo heard a snort from behind him. He turned, but Hyacinth was not looking his way.

"I wish you will never contemplate leaving us, Leo. You and Uncle Bram are the only ones who can control Theo," Fred added.

"I will never be far away and at your house at least once a day, I promise," Leo said. "But as I have yet to find lodgings, you have no need to worry about it."

"We will miss you, Leo," Anna said.

"I have not moved anywhere. Your big brother will always be close."

Anna gave him a big smile and went back to her food and annoying Theo, which she excelled at.

He looked at Hyacinth again, because she was there and he couldn't seem to stop himself. She was studying Anna.

"She has not long lived with us," Leo said.

"And it was the best day of my life when they wanted me to join their family," his little sister said, listening to the conversation like everyone else around the table. Privacy was always in short supply being a Nightingale .

"It was also a special day for us," Leo said. "We are happy to have her as our sister."

"Leo is an excellent big brother," Anna said to Hyacinth.

"Excuse me, you have another big brother here, and I'm the one who brings you sweets," Alex said, outraged.

"I did not say you weren't an excellent big brother also, Alex."

"Well then, I am appeased."

The debate then started over who was the best Nightingale sibling and why, as it had many times before.

"How is your family, my lady?" Leo asked Hyacinth.

"Well, thank you. They no longer walk in society and live close to one another in the country." Her tone was polite but distant.

"Do you visit often?"

"When we can."

"You must miss them," he said.

"Of course. Now, when you are finished," she added to her children and staff, "we will inspect the stalls outside."

Leo looked at the large Mulholland men again and Miss Bromley. Why did he have a feeling there was more to her having three staff with her today?

"Simon, are you off to boarding school soon?" Leo asked her son when there was a lull in conversation, which was not often with his family.

"I am, my lord. Eton," he said, looking at his mother. He was nervous, Leo thought, and that was completely understandable.

"You'll enjoy it. There are many wonderful things to learn there."

"He does not like learning," his sister said.

"I can speak for myself, thank you," Simon snapped.

"That will do," Hyacinth interrupted them with practiced ease, like he did when his younger siblings argued .

He spoke to Simon about what he'd find at Eton, and the boy asked him questions. Alex joined in, as did Gray. He seemed to relax as the discussion continued, and Leo was glad they could put his fears at ease.

"Thank you," Hyacinth said softly when they moved on to another topic. "He will be more comfortable having spoken to someone who has attended Eton. I have tried to allay his fears, but as I know little about it, I'm afraid it has not helped."

"He will do well there. He's also a big boy, so he will not be an easy target to bully."

As he was looking at her, Leo saw the anger at the thought of anyone bullying her son.

"He will be all right, my lady."

She nodded. "I promised him." The words were whispered, but he heard, as he was leaning in to speak with her.

"Who?"

"Their father."

"What did you promise him?"

She waved her hand about, now seeming to regret what she'd said. "It matters not."

"We are finished, Mother."

"Excellent. Let us head outside and walk through the stalls then. I'm sure there is some fudge somewhere to finish our day with more sugary goodness," Hyacinth said, rising. "Good day to you all."

She dropped into a curtsy and then was ushering her children, the Mulhollands, and Miss Bromley out the door. The Nightingale party soon followed, after making sure there was not a scrap of food left on any plate or drop of tea in a pot.

"She's a lovely woman, Leo," Aunt Ivy said, moving to his side as they strolled.

"You spoke a total of two sentences at the most with her. How can you know if she is lovely or not? "

His aunt smiled, that special smile she had for occasions when she wanted to soothe one of her nieces or nephews.

"I'm very sorry that your father's actions meant you could not marry her, Leo. She would have made you a fine wife. Did you love her?"

He felt his body stiffen at the question.

"I'm sorry if that opens old wounds." She patted his hand.

"No, it's all right." If anyone deserved honesty from him, it was this woman. "I don't think I had the depth to love back then, as I was the most important person in my life, but I think I cared about her."

"It's not too late, you know."

"For what?" He looked at his aunt, who had a hand in teaching him the true meaning of the word love alongside his uncle.

"To love her," she said softly. "You are both lost souls."

He snorted. "Have you been reading something romantic again?" Why did the thought of loving Hyacinth settle in his chest like a heavy weight?

They were walking between the rows of stalls that had been set up now. People were milling; children were excitedly weaving in and out. The scents and sights were a feast for his taste buds and eyes.

"Leo, my sweet boy, you locked your emotions away after what your father did. You love your family, and we see that daily, but everyone else sees the cold, aloof Lord Seddon. But you are a man made for great passion. A man who should love a woman and have his own family."

"Why are we having this very uncomfortable conversation while walking among people?"

"Because at home, if I spoke to you like this, you find an excuse and flee. You can't do that here, as we all came together. Plus, you would never make a spectacle of yourself."

"You're cunning," he said .

"I've learned to be with you lot. All I'm saying, my wonderful nephew, is don't shut everyone out because you worry they may hurt you. We would never find the one meant for us if we were not hurt occasionally by the ones not destined to be our soulmates."

He looked ahead of them at her uncomfortable words, and the two men before him parted, and there she was. Lady Hyacinth Lowell was laughing, and it was the first laugh he'd seen from her since the night he'd saved her. It lit her face and made his gut clench.

"All we want is your happiness, Leo."

"I know," he got out. "I just don't think love and marriage are for me any longer. One day I may wed, but I doubt it will be a grand passion." Someone stepped in front of him, and Hyacinth was suddenly gone, and he could breathe easily again.

"Then you will do yourself and whoever you wed a disservice, because you are destined for love, nephew, just like the others in your family." She rose to her toes and kissed his cheek.

"I love you, if that makes you feel better," Leo said.

"As I love you, but that is not what I mean, as you very well know."

"Mama!"

"Go," Leo said as Lottie shrieked at Aunt Ivy. "I will think about what you said."

"Good boy."

Leo wouldn't class himself as a coward, but in love, he was exactly that. Just the thought of giving his heart into a woman's care terrified him. Having another control his happiness and every waking thought made him shudder. He'd seen how his siblings suffered. No, he would not be venturing along that path and definitely not with the woman he had left once .

"Leo, come and heft the mallet to see if you are strong or weak," Theo called to him.

Pleased to have something else to think about, he joined his little brother.

"Uncle Bram made it reach the top, and the bell rang, as did Gray, but Alex didn't."

"I didn't get a good swing," Alex protested.

"Oh please," Leo said. "We all know who the strong Nightingales are."

"I have paid for you, Leo. Now show your brother you are stronger than him," Harriet said.

"Why are you on his side?" Alex demanded.

She giggled.

Leo lifted the mallet and slammed it down. To his relief, it made the bell ring. He then smirked at Alex.

"I'm doing it again," his brother muttered.

Leo spied his little sisters at a stall and went to investigate. He found them talking to Mrs. Varney and Mr. Peeky, who appeared to be manning the stall. Looking around, he couldn't see her daughter, thankfully.

"What has you both here?" Leo asked, inspecting the stall. There seemed to be flowers of every color made from all kinds of things. Some in paper, others wool, and some wood.

The residents of Crabbett Close were always popping up somewhere he did not expect them to be. They may be old, but they rarely acted it.

"I belong to the group, my lord," he said.

"As do I," Mrs. Varney added.

"Hello!" His sisters greeted them enthusiastically, like they did most things.

"Group?" Leo picked up a wool heart in blue and green.

"Blooming Lovely, my lord. We meet every Thursday and create flowers," Mr. Peeky said.

"Did you make this?" He pointed to the wool flower .

"Aye," Mr. Peeky said.

"Aren't they beautiful, Leo," Fred said. "So many colors."

"They are. You can pick two each," he said, pulling out some money. "I'm taking these two," he added, picking up the two wool ones closest to him.

"Mr. Greedy made that one, my lord," Mr. Peeky said, pointing to the yellow, blue, and red one he held.

"Is there nothing you lot can't do?"

"Nothing I know of." Mr. Peeky grinned. "The body needs to be busy, my lord, or it stops working."

"Very true, and the residents of Crabbett Close are certainly not at risk of that."

They purchased the flowers, and his sisters ran to show the others. Leo said good day to his neighbors and searched the people milling about for Hyacinth again. Before he could stop himself, he found her and her children flanked by her staff. Behind them, he saw two men.

They were both looking at the Lowell party, Leo was sure of it. Following a safe distance behind, he observed them for a while. When Hyacinth's party stopped, they did too, but they were far enough back to not be seen.

As if sensing him, they turned and met his eyes. Leo started forward, but the men walked away and were soon lost in the crowd.

Had I just imagined that?

"Oh, Lord Seddon!"

And that is just what my day needed , he thought, noting Tabitha Varney hurrying toward him.

"Psst!" Looking left, he found Matilda and Anna.

"Hurry, Leo, she is advancing," Anna said, waving him closer. He ran. The girls took a hand each and tugged him down beside a stall. "Crouch," Anna ordered. He did as he was told .

"Stay," Matilda said, rising. She then walked into Tabitha Varney's path. "Hello, Miss Varney," he heard her say.

"I was looking for your brother. He was here. I just saw him." Thankfully, Tabitha's chest was now covered by a brown shawl.

"He left, as he has a business appointment. However, Mungo went in that direction." She pointed left.

"And why would I be after that surly Scottish behemoth?" Tabitha Varney asked.

Leo's thighs were cramping, but he stayed where he was and hoped no one saw him. One of Anna's hands was in his, and her other was over her mouth to hide her giggling.

"Oh, but he is always speaking of you in glowing terms, Miss Varney," Matilda said, lying through her teeth, an ability she'd always had and her siblings were onto. Others, however, were not quite so lucky.

"She's terrifying," Leo whispered. "I've never known anyone who can lie like she can and with such ease."

Anna giggled again.

"He did?" Tabitha clutched her ample bosom.

Matilda nodded solemnly. "I would not lie to you about something so important, Miss Varney. He's very lonely too."

"Little witch." Leo snorted.

"Well then," Tabitha said. "I shall see if I can find him."

And just like that, they'd transferred her attentions from Leo to Mungo. It had started with him, and then they'd managed to shift them to Alex, and then when he married, it came back to him. It seemed that now Tabitha Varney had a new focus. Leo had to say he was not unhappy about that. The woman was always popping up wherever he was.

Matilda skipped back to them, looking happy with herself. Leo rose with Anna.

"What did Mungo do to incur your wrath, Matilda?"

"I have no idea what you mean, Leo." She gave him that wide-eyed look she'd perfected. "He's lonely, so I thought it would be nice, as Miss Varney is lonely too, that they become friends."

Anyone looking at her would believe every word she spoke. He was not one of them.

"Thank you," Leo said. "Even if you are lying. It will be interesting to watch our surly Scotsman protect himself from her. Not that I condone that behavior, you understand."

"You're welcome." Matilda smirked. She then took his other hand, and she and Anna led him to the next stall.

Leo wandered behind his family with Anna and Matilda. They swung his hands and made him buy them things and chattered the entire time. He loved it, them, and the distraction they provided to stop him from thinking about Hyacinth and why he still had a niggling suspicion that those men had been following her.

"I want a word with you," a voice growled in Leo's ear twenty minutes later.

"Mungo!" Matilda cried. "I'm so pleased to see you. We missed you." She really was a brilliant actress.

The Scotsman made a low growling sound deep in his throat.

"What's wrong, Mungo?" Anna asked, eyes wide. Clearly, she'd been learning from her sister.

Mungo's eyes narrowed as they focused on her. "One of you lot did that." He jabbed a finger to where Tabitha Varney was heading his way. "Before today, she never knew I existed."

"Come now, Mungo, you are a fine figure of a man. Any woman would be happy to have you," Leo said, drawing his fire away from the girls. "Tabitha is likely just now realizing what a catch you are."

Mungo's look should have singed Leo's nasal hairs, it was so fierce .

"I have found you again," Tabitha Varney said, arriving breathless. "Come, there is no need to be shy with me, Mungo. Let's walk together."

"No," the burly Scotsman growled. "You get about your business now."

Tabitha giggled, fluttering her eyelashes, and Leo kept his face expressionless.

"Perhaps Lord Seddon could accompany you?" Mungo snapped.

"Oh no, I have Anna and Matilda. You go on, Mungo. Enjoy the lovely company of Miss Varney."

His eyes shot flames at Leo.

"There. You see, they do not need you," Tabitha said. "Come along with me, Mungo."

"No," the Scotsman said, stomping away from them.

"Go after him, Miss Varney. He's shy," Leo urged, shamelessly fanning the flames of interest his little sisters had lit. "That brusque facade hides a lonely soul beneath."

She did, picking up her skirts and running. They watched as she caught him and slipped her hand through his arm.

"I should feel bad about that," Leo said.

Matilda shrugged. "Let's win something by throwing that ball at the blocks, Leo. That will make you feel a great deal better."

"Heartless wretch," he said, looking for Hyacinth again. When he couldn't locate her, he wondered if she and her family had left, which he should be happy about. But what he was, was worried.

First, there was what Alex said Lord Lowell's spirit was showing him regarding the Baddon Boys and the bird of paradise. Then there was her agency, and him not knowing what was going on there, and now those two men he was sure had been following her.

The problem now was, what did he want to do about it?