cellar for God only knew how long, and he wasn’t in search of a meal? That wasn’t normal. It wasn’t natural. Had the man truly gone ten years or longer without sustenance? She shook her head at the foolish notion. No one could survive that long. She was missing something important. Was there some sort of food source in the cellar? She’d have to take another look at the room.
Safely tucked beneath her dress, the ring around Blaire’s neck seemed warm against her skin. Just as she was about to reach for the relic, a clatter arose at the front door. The ornate brass knocker Blaire had seen earlier banged heavily against the oak. “Who the devil could that be?” Aiden mumbled to himself as he wiped his mouth, dropped his napkin in his plate, and rose to his feet.
“I’ll get it!” Brannock bolted from his seat and down the corridor.
A smile crossed Lord Kettering’s face. It was unlike any she’d seen grace his lips since she’d found him. It held no malice, no temper, no condescension, and no lack of trust. It was simply pleasure. “That will be for me,” he explained to Blaire as he came to his feet as well. She followed him down the corridor toward the great hall, with Aiden quick on her heels.
“Someone kent ye were here?” she called to his retreating back. Why hadn’t that someone helped him escape the room before now? Kettering was indeed an infuriating mystery.
“Some bonds are difficult to break,” he murmured, more to himself than to her. “Thank heavens.”
Blaire touched a finger to her hidden ring and toyed with it absently as she trailed behind the baron.
When she reached the great hall, she stopped dead in her tracks. But Kettering didn’t. He nearly flew into the man who stood in the entryway beside her brother. The two men clasped hands tightly, and it almost looked as though they both took a long, deep breath together.
“He said he was lookin’ for Lord Kettering,” Brannock announced proudly.
“And do ye ken just who ye’ve admitted inta our home?” Blaire eyed her young brother with a raised brow.
“Pardon me, Captain Lindsay,” Kettering said after he coughed lightly into his hand and cleared his throat. Was the man emotional? A better question would be what was the bond between these men? She’d find that out, too. “This is my oldest and dearest friend, Matthew Halkett, the Earl of Blodswell.”
Aiden extended his hand. “It’s nice ta meet ye,” he said warily. Aiden had good instincts, even if he wasn’t magical. Of course, he sensed that something was amiss.
Blaire made a noise. A very unladylike noise.
“And the lovely lady?” the earl asked, gesturing toward Blaire. His dark gaze slid across her, disturbing in the same way Kettering’s was but different. Only she couldn’t discern the difference. It was there, but Blaire couldn’t name it.
“This is Miss Blaire Lindsay, the captain’s sister.” The baron stepped closer to her as he spoke and even closer when the earl bowed in her direction. Blodswell raised an eyebrow a fraction. Only a fraction. But she noticed it.
Then Kettering introduced Brannock, who preened under the attention.
“I never thought I’d find you,” Blodswell muttered under his breath to Kettering, but Blaire heard the admission anyway.
“I feared you wouldn’t, either, old friend, but I am happy to see you.” The camaraderie between the two was real. That much was obvious.
“If it’s quite all right with your friends, perhaps we could stroll the grounds for a time. I do have something to discuss with you, James,” the earl said. “Although I do hate to interrupt dinner. Something smells delightful here,” he said as he inhaled deeply. His dark gaze danced across Blaire, making her shiver.
Kettering stepped closer to her, and his brow furrowed. Strange. Very strange.
“Aiden’s mutton stew is nothing ta boast about.” Brannock inhaled deeply and then groaned. “It doesna even smell appetizin’, sir.