Instead of begging her pardon, the blasted man burst out laughing, and she decided to pinch him.
“Ouch!” Kendal gave her an aggrieved look. “That hurt.”
“It was meant to.” Her mother might scold Thalia for pinching a gentleman she had just met, but he had not behaved much like a gentleman with his teasing, and she would not be sorry for it. “When a lady has as many brothers as I do, Your Grace, she knows how retaliate.” She gave him the superior look she gave her younger brothers. “I do not take teasing lightly.”
“Apparently,” Kendal muttered. “Remind me not to get in your black books.”
“I shall.” The words were out before she thought that she might be taking his words too literally again. “If you truly do want me to remind you.”
His eyes seemed to smile at her as he rubbed his arm near the cuff of his jacket. “I am completely serious.”
They reached the inn, and Kendal opened the door for Lady Thalia and her maid, then followed the ladies in to a small hall. “I am Kendal. We are looking for the parlor reserved for the Duchesses of Hull and Melbrough.”
The man bowed. “This way, Your Grace.”
Kendal had been serious about never having so much fun shopping. And it amazed and impressed him that Lady Thalia had put so much thought into each item she bought. Was that the product of never having the freedom to shop on her own before? Or was it simply her nature?
He thought of his older sisters’ shopping expeditions, and how quickly they lost interest in much of what they’d bought. Come to think of it, except for birthdays and Christmas, they had rarely purchased gifts for others.
Yet, Lady Thalia had seemed to have a mental list of people who might like a present. Including those who could well afford whatever they wanted, such as her sisters and mother. Was she the person Berwick had meant Kendal to meet?
His mentor had been against Kendal’s first marriage, one that had been arranged by his father when he’d been just a year or two old. Since his wife’s death, he’d been almost afraid to consider marrying again. But perhaps it was time to start thinking of what he wanted in a wife he chose himself.
At the first floor, the landlord escorted them to a door, opened it and stood aside. Kendal stepped inside with Lady Thalia, expecting to see two or possibly three ladies. Instead he found six ladies and three gentleman, all of whom he knew from Town, plus four children. With the exception of the Duchess of Hull and her companion, all of the other people were related to Lady Thalia in one form or another, the Duchess of Melbrough being her aunt.
“Kendal.” The Duke of Bolton, a brother-in-law, was holding a tiny child who could not be more than two months old. “Find a seat. The ale is excellent.”
The Marquis of Hawksworth, Lady Thalia’s eldest brother, held the hand of a small child trying to walk, and the Marquis of Markville, another brother-in-law, took another small baby from his wife.
Lady Thalia slid him a look. “I was going to introduce you, but you seem to know everyone.”
“Yes. I have known them all for some time.” Still, despite knowing the gentlemen and their wives, he had not expected to see them here.
“Yesterday was the first time I was able to meet Markville.” Thalia’s perfect pink lips formed a line. “My father allows only Bolton and my sister Laia to visit. Bolton is a very nice man and devoted to my sister. I am glad they were able to marry.”
A story hid behind that remark, Kendal was sure. “I have heard that your father and Hawksworth do not get on.”
“I am not sure there are many people my father likes or who like him.” They were the first harsh words he’d heard from her, but she was right. It must be difficult to have a father like Somerset.
A middle-aged lady with the same silvery tresses as Lady Thalia and her sisters rose and came toward him. “Kendal, I am Catherine Somerset. I am pleased you could join us.” She looked at her daughter. “Thalia, you should make him known to your aunt and sisters.”
“I think he knows Laia and Euphrosyne,” Thalia said.
She cast him a questioning look, and he nodded.
“Do you know my aunt Melbrough as well?”
“Yes.” He smiled. “I have had that pleasure.”
“In that case,” Thalia’s mother said, “come join us for tea.”
What they considered tea looked more like a full meal. Platters filled with meats, cheeses, fruits, and bread were spread out on the table. His stomach growled, and next to him, Lady Thalia chuckled. “It is not nice to make fun of hungry gentlemen.” She glanced at Hawksworth, then back to Kendal. “But we make fun of my brother for his appetite all the time.”
He had heard about her brother’s ravenous hunger. In fact, many of the man’s close friends teased him about it. And he wanted her to be herself with him. In this family, being a duke was not a distinction that made others stand on ceremony. “You might have a point.”
“Come. I shall make it up to you by fixing you a plate.” She drew him to the table. “What do you like most?”
