Edith Layton by To Tempt a Bride Page B

enough, but the intelligence in his expressive dark eyes made him strikingly so. Those remarkable eyes fixed on Nell, and he smiled, showing small even white teeth.
    He immediately came forward and bowed over her hand. “Cousin,” he said. “I would know you anywhere.”
    Nell bit her lip. “I’m afraid I wouldn’t know you,” she said. “Have we met?”
    “No. I regret not, but you look very like my mother did. I’m sorry to tell you that she has passed away.”
    Nell looked startled and began to murmur condolences.
    Her cousin cut them short. “Thank you. It wastwo years ago, so I’ve grown accustomed, if not reconciled, to her loss. But I wish I’d known you were coming to London. It would have prevented the misfortune that befell you. Still, I’m grateful that though you almost met disaster, you also met these good people. Ours is a small family, but at least now I am here to see to your welfare. How awkward,” he said with a smile. “Allow me to present myself. I’m Dana Bartlett, your aunt Clara’s only son.”
    “I’m so sorry about your mother,” Nell said again.
    “As am I,” he said. “But seeing you returns her to me in a way. She was also considered a great beauty in her day.”
    Nell dropped her gaze and blushed.
    Camille felt joyous relief tainted with a twinge of jealousy, and it wasn’t because she herself looked nothing like her mother.
    “And you must be her newfound friends,” Dana went on, bowing to Miles and Belle. “Lord Pelham, Lady Annabelle. Thank you for taking my cousin in. It was kind and generous of you. And this,” he said, turning his attention to Camille, “must be Miss Croft. I’ve been hearing stories about your generous championing of my cousin, and believe me I am infinitely grateful to you too.”
    He took Camille’s hand and smiled at her.
    Camille found herself a little flustered by the enormous warmth and approval in that smile as well as the strength in the blunt-fingered, warm hand he offered.
    He blinked as though against a blinding light, shuttering his brilliant eyes with long dark eyelashes and, after a long moment, slowly released Camille’s hand.
    Eric looked at him oddly and stepped closer. But Nell’s cousin immediately assumed his urbane expression again.
    “Well, cousin,” Dana Bartlett said briskly, turning to Nell again. “I think we’ve taken up enough of these good people’s time, don’t you? I’m solely responsible for you now. I know, I’ve consulted all the family documents, and as I’m a man-at-law, I looked extensively, believe me. You’re connected to Viscount Baynes of Rye on your father’s side, but distantly, very distantly. I’ll write to him and see if he’s willing to assume any familial responsibility for you, nevertheless. Don’t worry,” he added quickly. “It’s not that I’m reluctant to become your guardian, but I want to be sure to do everything legally, and being a guardian is a new role for me. I’ve been responsible only for myself for a while now. I confess that bearing responsibility for any young woman other than my eventual wife is something I never expected.”
    He looked at her steadily. “I’ll try to see to your welfare in the future as well as your saviors here have already done, I promise. Bear with me; I’m sure that I’ll get it right in time. The only thing left to discuss is where to take you now.” He heaved a sigh. “I’m a bachelor and live in rooms by myself. That isn’t a fitting accommodation for you. Andeven if I had the room, I don’t know where I can find a chaperone for you as yet. I’ll look for one as well as for new lodgings. In the meanwhile, I was thinking of maybe a suitable hotel or respectable boarding house for you.”
    He turned to the company. “You’ve all been so kind. I hate to impose on you further, but can you recommend any such hotels or boarding houses?”
    “There’s Stephens,” Rafe said. “And my brother stays at the Pulteney. They set a