Cecille eyed her daughter for a moment, seeing the truth of things as only a mother could. “But Teagan was right. You did.” Her sharp gaze flew to her brother. “Why did she think that, Randolph? Why did my daughter think I was dead?”
“Because I assumed you were, sister.” Randolph shrugged an overly padded shoulder. “Last I knew, you boarded a ship to Scotland and vanished. ’Twas safe to say at that point you had perished.” He notched his pointy chin. “Therefore, I saw no reason to pamper the girl with falsities.”
“She’s not a girl but a woman,” Cecille cut back.
“All the more reason to be blunt.”
“You mean assume,” she countered, “then flat-out lie.”
“Why are you here?” Randolph snapped, exasperated. “And have you been in contact with your scoundrel of a husband at any point? For, I'm sure he stole a substantial amount from our family before he ran off and abandoned poor Greer.”
Poor Greer. As if the swine cared about her in the least.
Where most probably wouldn’t see it beneath Greer's reserved nature, Teagan didn't miss the flash of anguish in her eyes at the mention of her father.
“I’m here to see my beloved daughter, whom I have not seen in years, Randolph.” Cecille’s worried gaze lingered on Greer. “Here to make sure all is well, not cater to your paranoia about my husband.”
“Rest assured, all is well with my Greer,” the second man said tightly, peering down his thin, sharp blade of a nose. “We are to be married, and she is quite content.” He nodded once as if granting her a great boon. “Eager even.”
Content? Eager?
Teagan saw neither of those things beneath Greer’s carefully crafted façade.
“You are to be married?” Cecille asked her daughter, feigning ignorance even as she searched for happiness on Greer’s face. For any sign this was a welcome arrangement.
“Yes,” Greer said softly. Her hesitant gaze flickered from her fiancé to her mother as though she wanted to say one thing but would dutifully say another. “Lord Montgomery has been very gracious, agreeing to the arrangement.”
Gracious? As if he were the one who’d succumbed to marrying her. Teagan imagined it was the very opposite. If anything, the brute was desperate to get betwixt her thighs.
“I look forward to hearing more about it,” Cecille managed. Her wary gaze flickered over Greer's fiancé before she made introductions.
In turn, Randolph did the same.
“I did not know you had a brother,” Randolph said to Edmund. He took in Teagan, his expression bland but cordial enough. “From your Scottish side, you say?”
“Yes.” Edmund gave Randolph a knowing look as he and Teagan swung off their horses. “I think you will find his take on the state of things to your liking.”
“’Tis good to hear.” Believing they were brothers, Randolph nodded at Teagan absently before he continued to address Edmund. “However did you and my sister cross paths?”
Teagan tuned out Edmund’s well-rehearsed explanation about hearing rumor of her whereabouts and watched Greer discreetly. Though her narrow shoulders were tight, as if she’d give anything to dash away, she remained still with her hands clasped together and her gaze on the ground. As if she were trained to remain quiet and obsolete when men discussed important matters a lass couldn’t possibly understand.
Though tempted to speak and include her in the conversation, the timing wasn’t right. If anything, he would get them both in trouble.
“I thought mayhap my brother and I would stay here with Cecille for a while,” Edmund went on as a stableman took their horses. He clasped Randolph on the shoulder like he was a good friend. A comrade-in-arms. “It has been a while since we enjoyed one another’s company, and we are kin, albeit distant, are we not?”
“Yes, but of course.” Randolph stood up a little straighter, acknowledging such. Self-importance dripped off every word. “Stay on as long as you like. Enjoy all we Hastings have to offer.” His brows swept up. “Mayhap you would even like to join the festivities next month, for we have a wedding on the horizon.”
Cecille visibly tensed again. Her gaze never left her daughter. “Yours then, darling?”
“Yes, ours,” Bartholomew replied. “You are welcome to attend.”
“I would think so.” Cecille shot him a look. “I am her mother, after all.” She cocked her head at Greer. “Might we spend some time together? Catch up?”
“Perhaps later if—”
“I do believe I’m addressing my daughter, not you, sir.” Cecille frowned at Bartholomew and held out her elbow to Greer. “Come, let us go spend some time together. I have missed you dearly.”
When Greer looked at her uncle, unsure, Randolph waved her away, obviously wanting the headache of his sister’s sharp tongue silenced. “Yes, go if you must.” His gaze narrowed on Cecille. “Then you and I shall talk, sister. For, I still want answers about your husband and what I’m convinced he stole from me.”
Teagan wasn’t surprised she made no mention of her husband’s death. Not until she had a chance to tell Greer first.
Cecille nodded graciously enough at Randolph before she and Greer walked off.
Once they were gone, Teagan followed the men into Cecille’s family home, not surprised when Randolph and Bartholomew ignored him. He might look the part, but his accent reminded them of where he came from. Therefore, he would always remain less-than in their eyes.
Which suited him just fine.
The less attention he received in these parts, the better.
Despite Randolph’s grumblings about Cecille’s husband stealing from him, Teagan wondered upon entering the sizeable great hall if her plan would work. Would her brother forfeit the prestige Greer’s marriage could bring for an old heirloom? A mere jewel? Because he by no means lacked in wealth. Instead of rushes, woven carpets blanketed the floor, and thick tapestries adorned the wall, a good barrier against drafts. Furnishings were plentiful, and servants numerous.
So, it was safe to say, though Randolph seemed angry about his jewels being stolen, his desire for prestige could very well be greater. The sort of status Bartholomew Montgomery would bring his kin. Certainly not a poor Scot with little to his name but the horse he rode in on.
Nevertheless, Cecille was a force to be reckoned with, so he could only hope she succeeded. First, though, she needed to see where Greer really stood. What she wanted to do. Which he imagined might not be the easiest thing for her to glean considering her daughter’s current state.
While the Englishmen caught up, Teagan sipped his ale and thought about Greer. What had she been through since Cecille and Julianna left years ago? What had put that look in her eyes? Might she tell him if they spent time alone? If he shared his own experiences? Or would such offend her? Somehow, he didn’t think so. Based on what he’d seen of her outside with the lad, she was a protector by nature, with a sympathetic heart.
He continued mulling things over, surprised where his thoughts led him. The lengths to which he would go to pull Greer out of her shell. To steer her away from the demons that haunted her. For, he’d never shared his own. The things he saw. The guilt he carried. That he wanted to share them with Greer, having known her mere minutes was notable. Could there actually be a future for them? Not one of love because he didn’t believe in it, but mayhap friendship and respect?