Wolfsgate by Cat Porter

his father yesterday, but Amanda and I were quite taken aback. Therefore, I thought perhaps I would offer you my assistance in some way, in order to expedite…” He tilted his head at her. “Dash, Justine! It’s wonderful to have bumped into you this way. I planned on coming by Wolfsgate this afternoon in any event.”
    “Mr. Blakelock, that is most kind of you. Truly.” Andrew’s brow furrowed at her formality. “However, I must tell you—”
    “Justine?” Brandon’s deep voice resonated behind them. Her breath caught and she turned on her heel. He stood a few feet away from them leaning on his cane, his head cocked to the side, a scowl darkening his face.
    “Brandon, you remember Andrew Blakelock?” said Justine, her mouth completely dry. She swiped a stray lock of hair from her brow and forced her body to move to the side.
    “Of course.” Brandon remained still. His eyes narrowed in the glare of the sun.
    “Graven.” Andrew bowed his head.
    “Mr. Blakelock was telling me that your uncle arrived safely at Crestdown,” Justine said.
    “I’m so relieved,” Brandon said, his cold gaze hardened on Andrew. Justine knew Andrew couldn’t possibly understand the snappish tone in Brandon’s voice like she did.
    A smile brightened Andrew’s face.
    No, he definitely did not understand.
    “And I was just saying we were, of course, expecting her as well, now that her stepfather is living at ours.”
    A query lit Brandon’s eyes. The edges of his lips tipped up. “I don’t understand. Why would you think Justine would follow Uncle Richard?”
    “Well, it’s just…that…” The smile faded from Andrew’s lips. His round eyes shot to Justine’s pleading for assistance.
    “Why would Lady Justine leave my house, Blakelock?” Brandon’s voice cut like a knife between them. “When she is my wife?”
    Justine froze. There it was, for the very first time, Brandon’s acceptance of their marriage and his public declaration of it. Andrew’s face turned different shades of grey and white as he shifted his weight and looked away. Brandon’s stony gaze remained locked on Andrew, his scars tightening over his face, his fingers gripping his cane.
    “You…are married?” Andrew asked. One of Brandon’s eyebrows quirked, and Justine averted her gaze towards the horses once more. “I did not know,” he muttered. “Forgive me.”
    “My cousin and my uncle did not tell you?” Brandon emphasized his words slowly as he moved towards Justine. “How odd.”
    Brandon stopped at her side. Her heart pounded wildly outside her chest. Could they both hear it?
    “When did this happen? You’ve only just returned. I thought—”
    “What is it you thought?” Brandon asked.
    Justine clasped her hands together. She had to intervene. “T’was in London, in fact,” she said. “We spent time together in London after Lord Graven’s release from hospital.”
    “I see. Well.” He cleared his throat. “Congratulations to you both.” Andrew’s lips smashed together.
    “Very kind of you,” Brandon said. He took Justine’s hand in his. Andrew’s eyes darted to the movement, his face tightening. The Graven ring Brandon wore ground into Justine’s knuckles.
    “Well, I should take my leave.” Andrew bowed his head to them both. “Amanda will surely want to see you.”
    “Will she?” asked Brandon.
    Justine’s body stilled. She was quite sure Amanda would be fascinated by the news.
    Andrew’s head snapped up. “Yes, of course. You’ll come to the house for dinner. We’ll arrange it. We are family after all.” Andrew shot one last glance at Justine, turned stiffly and strode off towards the village.
     
    Dry leaves rustled in the breeze sweeping through the gated cemetery. “Did he really just say we are family?” Brandon asked. “Damn me, this homecoming gets more interesting every day.” He gripped Justine’s waist with his hand and twisted her towards him. His eyes burned into hers, and her breath