A Cantata of Love (The Code Breakers 4) Read Free Page B

understand, I’m a linguist. I study patterns.” He leaned across the aisle, his lips curving upward into a knowing smirk. “But I always appreciate passion.”
    Gabby didn’t return his grin. “How old is your brother?”
    He sat back against the squabs. “He’s eleven.” She heard the rueful amusement in his voice. “Then there’s my Uncle Charles. He is a bit unusual.” He paused, as if calculating how much to divulge. “He is a brilliant scholar, quotes ancient Greek, but doesn’t remember what day it is.”
    “And he also lives with you?”
    “Yes, he never married. We’re a jolly household. You’ll find it’s a perfect refuge to recover from our long journey.”
    Gabby leaned back against the seat and closed her eyes. She tried to imagine a jolly household—what a foreign concept. After the Revolution, the idea of happiness was fleeting. She’d like to make her household with her brother jolly, as her mother would’ve wished.
    Lord Kendal sat up and peeked out the window once again. “We are getting close. It will be great to be home and eat Mrs. Brompton’s biscuits.”
    He crossed his arms over his chest. His rascally grin softened the lines of fatigue framing his eyes.
    He was a most remarkable man. He seemed to enjoy every moment of life—something she had lost.
    * * *
    They arrived at a classic symmetrical house with massive white columns flanking the entry. The sun shone on the house, dappling the red brick and the long windows. Lord Kendal’s face was also illuminated, beaming with simple pleasure. And Gabby couldn’t help smiling back, despite her fluttering nervousness.
    By the way he easily jumped out of the carriage, Lord Kendal certainly didn’t look like a man who had been hovering at death’s door. She took satisfaction that he was better and that she had helped him. There was now no debt between them.
    He linked his fingers with hers in his excitement. His gesture was surprising and his warmth reassuring as she prepared to face the English strangers.
    The door opened before they reached the top step. A youthful, muscular butler smiled. “Welcome home, my lord.”
    Lord Kendal stopped suddenly. “Who in blazes are you? Where’s Brompton? And how do you know to welcome me home?”
    “Sir, Brompton now resides at Rathbourne House. The likeness between you and Master Edward is remarkable.”
    Lord Kendal pulled Gabby along and rushed into the house. “Hen, I’m home.”
    His voice echoed in the large marble foyer with high ceilings. “Hen, I’m home.”
    “Sir, Lady Rathbourne doesn’t reside at Kendal house.” The butler spoke hesitantly.
    Lord Kendal dropped Gabby’s hand to open the door of the first room off the entryway. “I don’t even know a Lady Rathbourne so why would I care where she resides. Hen?”
    “My deepest apologies, sir. I thought you were aware of your sister’s marriage. Your sister is now Lady Rathbourne.”
    Lord Kendal jerked around. “My sister is married? When? And why wasn’t I informed?”
    The butler appeared flummoxed by the question. “Sir, I—”
    Lord Kendal ran his hand through his thick locks. “Did you say Rathbourne? My sister married Lord Cordelier Rathbourne?”
    “Yes, my lord.”
    “How can that be? I haven’t been gone long enough.”
    The butler stood frozen. “Yes, my lord.”
    Gabby interrupted. “I assume you are the new butler?”
    “Yes, my lady. I was an under-butler for Lord Rathbourne until Lady Rathbourne moved her household. Brompton chose me as your butler, sir. He felt I would be appropriate for a single man’s residence.”
    “Her household? I don’t understand. It’s my household. And what of my uncle? He needs the Bromptons. And I need the Bromptons.”
    The servant grew more uncomfortable imparting information about Lord Kendal’s family. “Your uncle and Master Edward now reside at Rathbourne House, as do the Bromptons.”
    Lord Kendal’s hurt was etched on his guileless face. The poor man