thoughts and feelings for Campbell, Sarina prided herself on getting through dinner without once having to glare at Nevan. Her brother’s contentment with stuffing forkfuls of berry pie into his mouth helped keep her gracious reputation intact. For once.
She lowered her cup of tea onto its matching saucer and took a slow breath. Across from her sat Campbell, his emerald colored waistcoat bringing out the green tint of his hazel-hued eyes. She could gaze at him for hours and never get even the slightest bit bored. He was charming and handsome, and caring and smart. But what attracted her most were his eccentricities. His supposed flaws were nearly a perfect match to her own, making her comfortable enough in his presence to be herself. And that had never been the case with anyone else. Campbell MacHendrie was a dream come true for Sarina.
The man smiled at something his cousin said.
Ian stood and stared her way. “If ye’ll excuse me, Miss Ogilvy, but I fear yer brother tired me out this morning and I must retire early for the night.”
“Please, Mr. MacHendrie, I am well aware of Nevan’s enthusiasm for all things in life. It is I who should apologize to you, for allowing you to take my brother off my hands for the morning.”
Ian laughed.
Nevan dropped his fork. “I was the epitome of good behavior, Sister.”
“Of course you were, Brother.”
As Ian left the dining room, Nevan harrumphed.
Campbell leaned forward, his light brown hair shiny in the room’s flickering candlelight. “Are ye still up for reading the diaries, tonight?”
“Absolutely. I’m anxious to get started where my father left off and I hope his notes will help in that respect.”
“They should as I do believe they detail all his work, including the morning of his death. He told me several times over the duration of his time here, that he wrote three times, daily in the diaries, starting with recording his first discoveries of the day that took place just after breakfast.”
“Then there may still be hope yet for us to accomplish what my father did not.”
A footman approached the table and cleared Sarina’s place setting. As he reached for Nevan’s dish, her brother’s silver box of teeth fell to the floor.
A crash sliced the air.
“My teeth!” Nevan was off his chair and crawling on the floor before even God could blink. “You’re a thief!” He shouted at the footman who stood silently in place.
“Nevan!” So much for Sarina’s intact reputation. “I will not have you speak in such a manner. Now go off to bed.”
Nevan rose, his hands facing palm-side up, each holding a single wolf fang. “But I am down to only two teeth, Sister. Two! I came to this cursed land with forty-two. Lost one in Edinburgh and had the other thirty-nine stolen from me since arriving at Lycansay Hall.”
“Go to bed. Now.”
“I will not stand to be punished for speaking the truth.”
“You have no proof anyone stole anything from you.”
Nevan huffed. He clutched his hands closed, his face turning a bright red. “I will not stand for this, Sister. I have told you the Devil resides in this wicked house and I intend to search it from bottom up and prove to you my teeth have been stolen.” Snatching his box from the floor, Nevan turned to Campbell. “My lord.” He bowed, then stormed from the room, teeth in tow.
“I’m so sorry for my brother’s behavior, Campbell.”
“’Tis nothing. I too, was once a boy.” He leaned back in his chair. “I surmise it’s frustrating for Nevan to be at an age when he must prove himself a man, yet still remains under his sister’s guardianship.”
She hadn’t looked at the situation from Nevan’s view. “You’re a very diplomatic host, my lord.”
Campbell’s lips ticked upward. “I would love nothing more than to accept that statement, but in truth, Lycansay Hall has seen far worse than Nevan’s outburst.”
Campbell’s comment did little to put Sarina at ease. “Still, I am sorry for his behavior.”
“Perhaps we should forgo reading the diaries until tomorrow, so ye can check on yer brother.”
“Initially, I was going to suggest the same, but your comment about Nevan feeling trapped makes me think differently. Maybe I am too hard on him, too controlling with him. The last thing he needs is for me to go upstairs and watch over his every move. He’s probably embarrassed as it is that I ordered him to bed in front of you.” She paused, her concern for Nevan her top priority. “I think