How to Turn a Frog into a Prince - Bree Wolf Page 0,77
after them, a new longing growing in her heart. “Have you ever loved anyone like that?”
Beside her, Emma shook her head, an equally wistful sigh leaving the young woman’s lips. “No, not like that.”
The reply made Charlaine wonder.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Inspiration Strikes
As Nathanial walked across the drawing room toward the French doors opening onto the terrace, voices drifted to his ears. He recognized not only Pierce’s low baritone, but also the calm, calculated authority of Lord Ashhaven. Although Nathanial had only been introduced to him in passing at Pierce and Caroline’s wedding, he remembered well the man’s rather unusual appearance.
Once, Lord Ashhaven had probably possessed raven-black hair, not unlike Pierce’s, for his roots still shone in that color. However, the majority of his hair looked as though bleached by the sun, shining in a silvery glow whenever light reflected upon it. His dark green eyes stood in stark contrast, and his tall stature made him tower over everyone. He was broad-shouldered, with a strong chin and eyes that appeared watchful no matter what he was doing. He rarely laughed, the expression upon his face generally whispering of a most serious nature.
How he and Pierce had become friends was beyond Nathanial. Then again, he could not deny that the same could be said about him and Charlaine.
“Nathanial,” Pierce exclaimed as Nathanial stepped out onto the terrace. “How wonderful of you to join us.”
Nathanial nodded to Pierce, then turned to the man’s friend. “Lord Ashhaven.”
“Mr. Caswell,” Lord Ashhaven addressed him, a polite tone in his voice. His expression, however, betrayed not a single emotion.
Pierce rolled his eyes. “There is no reason to stand on ceremony,” he reminded them, then looked at his old friend. “Ash, I—”
The girls’ voices echoed along the hall as their small feet carried them onward. A moment later, they burst out onto the terrace, Daphne in the lead and Susan following close behind.
“Ladies,” Pierce greeted them with a formal bow, a wide smile upon his face. “May I introduce you to my old friend, Lord Ashhaven.” He grinned at the man. “You may call him Ash.”
Lord Ashhaven remained straight-faced.
“Ash?” Daphne asked. “Like the tree?”
Pierce chuckled. “It’s short for Ashhaven.”
Daphne nodded knowingly before Susan tugged on her arm and then whispered something in her ear, her little eyes wide as she stared at their visitor.
Again, Daphne nodded, her own gaze sweeping over Lord Ashhaven. If the man was made uncomfortable by the girls’ scrutiny, he didn’t show it.
“Ah, here you are,” Caroline exclaimed as she stepped out onto the terrace, followed by Charlaine and Emma. “The girls darted off, and I admit we lost sight of them.” She smiled at Pierce, who embraced her warmly and then pulled out a chair for her to sit.
Charlaine, too, seated herself while Emma remained hovering near the doors, her face somewhat pale as though she wished to leave, her discomfort written all over her face.
“You have gray hair,” Daphne observed rather loudly. “Are you old? You don’t look old.”
While the majority of them chuckled ever so discreetly, Emma’s jaw dropped in shock. “Daphne!” she chided with a somewhat fearful glance at Lord Ashhaven. “Where are your manners? You are not to—”
“It is all right,” Lord Ashhaven assured the young woman, who looked close to fainting, mortification burning in her cheeks. “The young lady merely made an accurate observation,” he told her before turning his attention to Daphne. “However, your conclusion is not accurate.”
Pierce laughed. “No, Daphne, Ash is not old.” He paused. “Or at least not older than I am.”
“Then why does he have gray hair?” Daphne asked with a sideways glance at her governess, who still seemed unable to shake off her discomfort.
“That, I cannot say,” Pierce replied before he looked toward his friend.
Lord Ashhaven sighed. “My father’s hair turned gray early as well so I believe it is something that runs in our family. Why it does so is something I cannot answer.”
While not completely satisfied with that reply, Daphne was willing to accept it.
Tea and lemon tarts were served then, distracting the girl from any further inquiries. Seating themselves under a large umbrella, Daphne and Susan sat munching their treats. Pierce offered one to his wife, who declined it with a bit of a scrunched look coming to her face, her hand fluttering down to her belly.
“Here, have one.” Shoving a lemon tart into Nathanial’s hand, Charlaine linked her arm through his and dragged him over to sit with her. “They’re good. I promise.”