Page 77 of Enticing the Devil
“I’m Aron and this is Daryn.” The boy who spoke was clearly a few years younger than his older sister but topped her height by an inch or two. The boy he dragged forward with him was another couple years younger and had been the one to so bluntly question Anne’s choice in husband. If not for their age difference, the two brothers could have been twins as they shared such similar features with dark brown eyes and the same mops of unruly black curls.
“Lovely to meet you both,” Anne replied before looking to the third boy, who might have been around six by her estimation.
Though she smiled in encouragement, the youngest boy wouldn’t step forward and neither would the small girl beside him.
“These two are Edwyn and Carys,” Eirwyn offered, setting her hands on the shoulders of her youngest siblings.
Anne stepped toward the smaller children and lowered to a crouch. Her smile was soft as she said gently, “Hello, I’m very happy to meet you.”
Edwyn gave a quick nod but said nothing.
The little girl, however, eyed Anne with a sideways glance of suspicion then gave a little snort. “You’re pretty but you talk funny.”
Anne heard Beynon’s grunt of surprise and the choked giggles from the older boys, but she ignored them.
“That’s a lovely compliment, Carys. I think you’re very pretty, as well.” It was true. The girl’s black hair fell in long ringlets down her back and her eyes were a rich green. “And you’re also very clever. I do talk funny,” she added bluntly, inciting a delightful giggle from the girl.
As Anne straightened again, Beynon asked, “How’s Mam?”
“Oh, she’s doing much better,” Eirwyn said quickly. “Did you get my second letter?”
“No. I only just received the first last week. We left as soon as we could after I learned she was unwell.”
“Well, she’ll be happy to see you anyway,” the girl replied as she sent a quick, tentative glance to Anne. “She’s probably resting, but I imagine you’ll want to see her right away. And introduce your...bride.”
Beynon gave Anne a quick glance. “Perhaps it should wait.”
His relief at hearing his mother was faring better from her illness was obvious in his expression. As was his sudden reluctance to bring Anne before her.
“Why don’t you go see your mother while I settle in and freshen up a bit.” She looked to Eirwyn. “Would you have a moment to show me to my room?”
“Of course, my lady.”
The girl curtsied again. Anne would have to tell her that wasn’t necessary, but she’d wait until they were alone. She didn’t want to embarrass the young woman.
Beynon looked to his sister first, then back to Anne. Then, with a firm nod, he turned and entered the house in long strides.
“Why’s he so glum?” Daryn asked as soon as his oldest brother was out of hearing. The question earned him a punch in the shoulder from Aron, who then leaned toward him to mutter something in Welsh as he slid a sly glance toward Anne.
Whatever the boy’s answer, it clearly had something to do with her. And judging by Eirwyn’s sudden blush and Carys’s giggle, it likely wasn’t complimentary.
It was on the tip of her tongue to ask when the man wasn’t glum, but she decided against it.
“Boys,” Eirwyn chirped with a clear note of authority, “help the driver unload the luggage and bring it inside while Carys and I show Lady Anne to her room.”
Though her brothers gave a few grumbles, they shuffled their feet toward the back of the carriage, where the driver had already started unstrapping the trunks.
Then the girl turned to Anne and gave a quick smile. “This way, please.”
Anne hoped Eirwyn’s formality would soften with familiarity but the wish wasn’t necessary for little Carys as the girl slipped her hand into Anne’s and gave an insistent tug.
“Come on!”