Love Everlasting (Kingston Novel Book 3), page 12
Logan laughed at the threat. “’Tis a shame, but to be honest, more often than I like.”
“Stop being an arse,” Drake muttered. “I wasn’t talking about dancing as much as how to…act. I don’t want to embarrass Toriana.”
“Relax, Drake, Toriana loves you, therefore, nothing you do will embarrass her. Just act bored and you’ll fit right in. You won’t be alone. You’ll have the whole Telford family standing with you…and one thing we do quite well is watch out for one another.”
Chapter Twelve
“Bloody hell! I guess it’s a good thing I never had any desires in trying to win Toriana’s affections.”
Logan ignored Javan’s muttered words, but he did smile. They were standing near the back door leading out into the garden. His three sisters, along with Vance and Drake were all sitting outside taking in the early afternoon sun.
“The man is not only huge; he’s quite good looking, is he not?”
Bartley had come up behind his son and Javan just in time to hear the last bit of their conversation. “I wasn’t aware you were here.”
Spinning around, Javan nearly collided with Bartley. “Sorry,” he mumbled, even as his face turned hot. “Mother and I just arrived a few minutes ago.”
Logan’s smile widened. “Lady Milison is in the front parlor with mother and grandfather, I believe.”
Bartley looked past his son and Javan toward the garden before turning on heel and heading toward the door. “If you like, you both can join us in the front parlor…that is, if you’re done admiring my daughter’s soon-to-be husband, Nesbowl.”
Logan tried not to laugh as he followed his father from the room, but he seriously failed by the time they reached the hallway and his booming laughter echoed around them.
“Stop being a bloody arse,” Javan muttered. “I wasn’t admiring the man.”
“Father was only teasing, you know,” Logan stated, in between his laughter. “Besides, I know what you mean when it comes to Drake. I’m just glad he’s not on the bachelor mart. One look at him and the fair ladies of the ton would have nothing to do with us.”
“Damn, I hadn’t thought of that. Makes me glad he belongs to Toriana, indeed it does.”
Logan stopped laughing and cast a side glance at his friend. “Does that mean what I think it does? Are you going to start shopping for a wife?”
Javan nodded. “It’s time.”
Logan shook his head. “Good luck. For myself, I foresee several more enjoyable years of sowing sweet oats in my future.”
“But you’re only twenty-four.”
“And you are only twenty-eight,” Logan countered.
“I need to think about my future and the future of my title.”
“It’s not like you’re old, Javan. Uncle Gabriel and Vance are both thirty-five and they just now married…and both are young enough to see to the future of their titles.”
“And by the time their children are twenty they will be fifty-five. I know that’s not ancient, but I want to be young enough to enjoy my adult children and any grandchildren that come my way…much like your parents.”
Logan paused. What Javan said was true. “I see your point. I’ll have to give your view more thought.”
Javan smiled. “I’m not trying to talk you into giving up your bachelor days. I grow tired of endless, bed romps, with faceless women. What I want a mistress cannot supply. I want someone to call my own, to share my life with, and to grow old with.”
Logan shook his head. “Talk of marriage is not my favorite topic, I admit,” he stated continuing down the hallway. “I can tell you this; whenever I do decide to give up my bachelor days, I’ll use my parents as a guide. The love they have for each other is lifelong and everlasting and that, my friend, is what I’ll be looking for.”
“Much like your Uncle Gabriel and his wife, and Alianore and Vance.”
“Exactly.” Logan nodded.
“Which reminds me, have you heard anything from Casler since he left London?”
“No.”
“Did you know about his engagement?”
“No. Casler never said a word. Toriana believes Casler, and his sister, Aurora, knew nothing about their upcoming marriages.”
It was Javan who paused this time. “Really? And what gave Toriana this impression?”
Logan made his way back to where Javan stood. “She seemed to think that they both looked quite surprised by their father’s announcement. Thinking back, I guess they did.”
“Well, I for one wouldn’t mind if their engagements didn’t come to pass. Aurora Cavendish is quite beautiful. I should have paid closer attention to her when I had the opportunity.”
“As your friend, let me give you a healthy bit of advice, having Casler as a brother-in-law would be almost as bad as having me as one.”
Javan raised a brow. “An olive branch wrapped in a warning…I’m not sure how to take that.”
“I suggest with common sense,” Logan replied, with a smile. “Some things are better accepted than shoved down your throat.”
“There’s no need to smile and growl at me at the same time,” Javan muttered. “I was only speculating. Besides, the woman in question is engaged, remember?”
“I do. Now can we can join our parents in the front parlor?”
“I would ask you one more thing.”
“Go on.”
“What can you tell me about Casler’s father?”
Logan raised a brow. “Lord Birchill? Why do you want know about him?”
Javan glanced toward the front parlor before answering. “My mother seemed quite taken with him. I was just wondering what kind of man he was.”
“As you know, he’s widowed. I always thought of him as a nice man. But then, I also consider him to be an old rake, if you know what I mean.”
“Still likes to dally with the women.”
Logan nodded. “I haven’t spent much time in Birchill’s company, to be honest. Since the time Casler and I were just young boys we’ve been friends. There were times when family matters and errands kept him busy for a few weeks at a time, but other than that, he always ended up at our house.”
“So your friendship is much like that of Gabriel and Vance’s?”
“Just so,” Logan replied. “We’re much like brothers in some aspects.”
“I have to say, I envy you and Casler. More than once I wished I had a friendship such as yours.”
Logan gave Javan a hard, swift, pat on his back. “You do…welcome to the family.”
“You just threatened me not but five seconds ago,” Javan muttered.
Logan shrugged. “I’ve threatened Casler a time or two over the years. I’ll probably threaten you again, to be sure. It is my Telford temper, you know.”
“I know…you’re a bloody arse,” Javan muttered, even as he smiled.
“Another wedding? So soon?”
Kimbra smiled at Milison as she took a sip of tea. “So it would seem. This one we’ve been expecting. We just weren’t sure when. Toriana and Drake have been in love for a good long time, even before he came into his title.”
Bartley smiled. His sweet wife was turning their daughter’s story into a fairytale of sorts, but at least she wasn’t fabricating the finer points.
“We insist you and Javan join us for the wedding,” Kimbra continued. “You’re part of our family now.”
“It would seem, everyone in London is part of the family now,” Justin whispered to Bartley and then laughed.
“It feels that way at times,” Bartley murmured, and then smiled when Kimbra turned her dark eyes in their direction.
“What are you two laughing about over there?” Kimbra asked with a mischievous grin.
Thankfully, Bartley was saved from answering when Logan and Javan entered the room. “Father, may I introduce Milison’s son, Javan Pendrick, The Viscount of Nesbowl. Javan, this is my father, The Duke of Canfield, Justin Telford.”
“Nesbowl.” Justin gave a nod of acknowledgment. “Pardon my poor manners, for not standing. My legs aren’t what they used to be.”
Javan came forward. “Your Grace,” he stated, with a bow. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Well, you certainly have good manners,” Justin replied, smiling. “Have a seat young man. Logan, will you see about bringing that decanter of brandy a little closer. I swear my body has a chill that just won’t leave.”
“Are you feeling all right?”
Justin smiled at his grandson. “I’m fine. Age brings along aching bones and chills. Nothing too bad…and nothing another glass of brandy can’t fix.”
Logan crossed the room and picked up the decanter of brandy and brought it back to his grandfather. After refilling his glass, he placed it on the table in front of him and then took a seat in one of the chairs closest to him.
“Have I told you that you are my favorite grandson?” Justin asked, before taking a healthy sip of the brandy.
“I’m your only grandson.” Logan laughed.
“If I had a dozen, you would still be my favorite.”
Reaching over, Logan patted his grandfather’s hand. “I love you, too.”
“I guess it won’t be long and you’ll be getting married.”
“The bloody hell I will!”
Justin laughed.
“Don’t be cursing at our grandfather,” Kinsley stated from the doorway.
Bartley, Logan, and Javan all stood. Justin remained seated even as he sent his granddaughter a smile. “You tell him, my dear. Where are you off to?”
Kinsley returned his smile as she crossed the room. Coming up behind the settee where he sat she leaned forward and brushed a kiss to her grandfather’s cheek. “I was just going upstairs…until I heard Logan cursing at you.”
Justin laughed again.
“I wasn’t actually cursing at him,” Logan told her as he took his seat. “Our grandfather has a wicked sense of humor. Now I know where you, Alianore, and Toriana get it from.”
It was Javan who laughed at that comment. “You’re not by chance forgetting to add yourself to that number are you, my friend? Anyone who knows you will attest you have the very same wicked sense of humor.”
“Perhaps.” Logan gave a slight shrug. “It very well could be just another Telford trait.”
“Or a curse,” Bartley interjected.
“That could be,” Justin agreed smiling.
“So, what brought about your cursing fit?” Kinsley asked.
Logan raised a brow. “I’m not fooled by that innocent look upon your face, brat. You know, you’re getting more and more like Toriana.”
“Thank you.”
Javan laughed again. “Your grandfather mentioned marriage,” he explained.
“Oh, I see.” Kinsley nodded. “Well, that is Logan’s least favorite topic.”
“More specifically, any sane bachelor’s least favorite topic,” Logan countered.
“I would just as soon not rush Logan or Kinsley into marriage right now,” Bartley stated before his children could argue the case further. “As it is, I’ve already lost Alianore and soon Toriana will be gone.”
“But in the process you will have gained two more sons,” Logan pointed out. “Of course, neither of them are as good as the original, me, but they’ll do,” he teased.
Kimbra held out her hand toward Kinsley. “Come here and sit with me for a moment.”
Giving her grandfather’s shoulder a soft pat, Kinsley did as her mother requested. As she took a seat next to her mother she found much to her surprise that Lord Nesbowl was watching her. In reaction to his steady gaze she automatically raised a questioning brow at him…which apparently the daft man found amusing, for he suddenly gave a shout of laughter.
“What the devil is wrong with you?” Bartley asked.
“Nearly scared a good ten years off my life,” Justin muttered, with a scowl in the young man’s direction. “I tell you right now, I cannot afford to lose ten years.”
Logan also noticed the way Javan had been watching Kinsley and began shaking his head. “No! Don’t even think it.”
Javan’s laughter came to a stop as he turned to glare at Logan. “And just what am I thinking?”
“Marriage to my sister.”
Justin’s gaze moved from Lord Nesbowl, to his granddaughter, and then finally to his grandson. “Are you saying his laughter can be interpreted as some kind of marriage proposal?” Without waiting for Logan to answer, Justin raised his cane and pointed it at Javan. “Are you touched?”
Milison wasn’t sure what to make of the whole new turn of conversation. “I assure, Your Grace, my son isn’t proposing. Are you, Javan?”
Kimbra found it most difficult not to burst out laughing when Javan gave his mother a look of aspiration.
“Yes, Javan, are you touched?” Logan asked, just before his laughter filled the front parlor.
“Of all the bloody…” Javan took a deep breath and turned his light green eyes on the oldest Telford. “I was not proposing to Kinsley, Your Grace,” he stated, before turning attention once again to Logan. “As for being touched; one could assume I must be…after all, I do consider your grandson to be my friend.”
“Lord Nesbowl and I are friends,” Kinsley hurried and spoke up. What she really wanted to do was go over and deliver a good sound kick to Logan’s shin.
Javan smiled at Kinsley. “And because of our friendship you are to call me by name and not my title.”
“Yes, of course…Javan.”
All of Logan’s humor disappeared. “You are to use his title,” he growled out.
Javan ignored him and even winked at Kinsley.
Bartley snapped his finger to gain his son’s attention. “Care to tell me what’s wrong with you?”
Logan knew he was acting like an arse, but he just couldn’t seem to help himself. The very thought of Javan and Kinsley didn’t set well with him at all. He liked Javan, but that didn’t mean he wanted him as a brother-in-law. It was also quite irritating to realize no matter how he might feel, it was Kinsley who would do the picking when it came to the man she would love for the rest of her life, just as Alianore and Toriana had done. But damn it all! She was the last of his sisters to fall in love! Even though he knew it wouldn’t be the case, he wished he could at least have some say in the matter.
“Need I ask again?”
Logan pulled his thoughts together and met his father’s gaze. “Javan told me he has decided he’ll be looking for a wife. I’m just letting him know to look elsewhere.”
Bartley nodded. He figured as much, but he wanted Logan to admit it. Apparently, his son was experiencing the same feelings as him…protectiveness. Kinsley was the last to fall in love and he would just as soon she wait and make sure it was the right man and not just a man who could fill the void her sisters were leaving behind.
“Out of curiosity, did you have these same objections to the man Toriana is about to marry?” Milison asked.
“I did,” Logan answered without hesitation.
Milison nodded as she picked up her cup of tea. “And yet you have apparently changed your mind,” she stated, before slowly taking a sip.
Logan’s manners prevented him from scowling at the older woman, so instead he turned his attention to his sister. “Do you love Javan?”
Kinsley’s face again turned warm. “No, just as he doesn’t love me. But I do consider him a dear friend, even a best friend. And for that reason I wish to end this silly conversation.”
“And exactly when did he become a dear and best friend?” Logan asked as his gaze moved over to where Javan sat.
“The night he finished what I couldn’t…when he knocked Lord Preston unconscious,” Kinsley answered.
“It was my pleasure,” Javan told her.
“That should have been my duty,” Logan muttered.
Javan smiled and shook his head. “You were busy helping your father rescue Alianore. Logan, even I can see what a perfect and protective brother you are, but even so, you couldn’t have been in two places at one time.”
“Still.” Logan gave a heavy sigh and sat back.
“As to that matter, had I been there it would have been my duty,” Bartley informed his son. “But seeing how neither of us were; I’m thankful, and grateful, Javan handled the matter for us.”
“Tell me, Nesbowl,” Justin stated, lifting his cane to gain Javan’s attention. “What the devil caused your fit of laughter?”
Javan met the older man’s gaze as his mind went to work on his answer. What could he say? Certainly not the truth, which was that when Kinsley had raised her brow at him she looked so much like her arrogant brother he just couldn’t help but laugh. No. He couldn’t tell her grandfather that. Already, she had been embarrassed quite enough.
“It was nothing,” he stated with a slight shrug. “I apologize for my outburst.”
Justin slowly nodded. “I would appreciate some kind of warning before the next one.”
“Of course, Your Grace.”
Kimbra laid her hand on top Kinsley’s. “I invited Milison and Javan to the wedding.”
Kinsley smiled. “Yes, they should be here.”
“When is the wedding to take place?” Javan asked.
Kimbra gave a slight shrug and smiled.
Javan turned to Bartley. “You don’t know?”
Bartley laughed. “We’re waiting on the special license, but Toriana and Drake also want to wait until Kimbra’s parents arrive in Town for it.”
Javan nodded. “Will we be given some kind of warning,” he jested, “or will we have to camp out on your doorstep?”
“Throwing my words back at me, pup?” Justin asked and then laughed. “I like your wit, indeed I do. Are you sure he can’t marry our Kinsley?”
“Yes,” both Logan and Bartley answered at the same time.
Javan shook his head and reached for the decanter of brandy. “You Telfords are enough to turn a sensible man into a drunkard,” he mumbled as he poured himself a glass and then drank it down in one swallow.
“Who says you’re sensible?” Logan asked. “You are contemplating marriage, old chap.”
“Need I remind you the sensitive ground you are now treading on?” Kimbra asked her son.
