“Did you know about them?” Will demanded, pushing his sister’s hand away.
Aria caught the slightest wrinkle of the marquess’ nose. It lifted his upper lip and made it look like he was showing his teeth. At Will.
“Brother,” Sarah said, quickly recognizing the danger to her brother, “let’s not interfere with them, hmm? We will lose. He will not give her up.”
Sarah said the last thing in a hushed voice, but Aria heard her. She was wrong about the marquess not giving Aria up. What could he do? Whatwouldhe do? They hadn’t agreed on anything between them. They both knew what was coming.
Still, Aria considered, looking away, would he stop her from leaving by taking the key?
She didn’t want to think such a thing about him. He wasn’t mad—and he wasn’t a bad guy, despite what he believed he was responsible for as a child. No. He wouldn’t have stolen the key, trying to stop her from being reunited with her family. She turned her attention back to him. He gave her a bit of a concerned look, as if he feared Sarah’s statement had upset her.
She winked at him to reassure him. He turned into something like a soft teddy bear before her eyes, his gaze warm and his smile wide.
None of them noticed Harper approaching, her gaze fastened on the marquess, her soft smile growing into a look of astonishment—until it settled on Will. “Mr. Gable, please pay heed to your sister’s wise words. I’ve never seen the marquess so happy. He will only let her go for one thing, and it isn’t you.”
The thankful look Gray flicked to Harper didn’t escape Aria’s notice. He was trying to behave as civilized as he could…for Aria. She could tell he remained calm for her sake by the way he chewed the inside of his cheek and glanced at her numerous times.
“Will,” Aria said. He was having a difficult time because of her. She wanted to handle it herself and not have Harper or Gray do it for her. “When I search the rest of the doors, I’ll make certain you’re here.”
He breathed out a great, silent sigh and nodded. “When will that be?”
“Well, I lost the key, so as soon as—”
“You lost the key?” Will gaped at her. “Did you lose it or was it stolen?”
Aria could sense the marquess’ patience nearing an end. “It would have had to be stolen while on me. It wasn’t. It must have fallen out of my pocket somewhere. We’re searching,” she added quickly when he opened his mouth. “We will find it.”
He nodded, but Aria could see the doubtful tug of his brow. “Very well. I must finish building three tables today so I will leave you if I must.”
The growling bear that was the marquess roused and rose to his feet. “Gable—”
“You better go then, Will,” Aria smiled and stepped between him and the marquess.
When he left them, Sarah turned to the marquess. “My brother is a good man.”
The marquess slid his gaze to Sarah and took his seat again. “That’s why despite him insulting me in my own house, I let him leave with his head atop his neck.”
Aria wished he wouldn’t say such things, especially about Will, but Will’s sister smiled and curtsied. “You are very kind, my lord.”
Kind? Well, Aria pondered, maybe he was very kind. What would other lords of their castles do?
“You wouldn’t hurt Will, would you?” Aria asked him. She thanked the young man who served them—and Harper when she took a seat opposite the marquess—fresh eggs, baked bread and warm porridge.
“Do you like him?” Aria asked him hopefully.
“No. I like his sister.”
“Hmm? What?” Aria asked, lowering her spoon to her bowl.
“Sarah,” he said, as if he had to clarify. He didn’t.
“Right. You like her?”
He nodded and set about eating. “She’s like a little sister to me.”
“A little sister?” she echoed.
He forgot his food and stared at her. “Are you jealous?”