Whisper To Me of Love Read Online Free PDF Page B

was still a stripling, his shoulders not quite as broad, his movements still sometimes revealing the gawky grace of youth. Zachary might not yet have achieved Royce’s powerful build, but he had already surpassed his cousin’s six-foot-three-inch height by half an inch—much to his delight and Royce’s feigned disgust.
    But it wasn’t only their tall, broad-shouldered bodies that were similar; each possessed the same compelling topaz-colored eyes and arrogantly slashed black brows. And if Royce’s thick, tawny hair was in direct contrast to Zachary’s black locks, there were still obvious resemblances in their straight noses and strongly molded chins. In ten years time, except for his black hair, Zachary would look very much like his cousin.
    His grin widening just a bit, Zachary murmured, “You’re probably right, but since we have nothing else planned, it won’t harm us to see how handy they are with their fives.” Sending Royce a sly look, he added innocently, “Of course, if the weather remains wet and cold, I could go by myself—I realize that as you grow older, you are more affected by the changes in temperature.”
    At Royce’s startled look of outrage, Zachary burst out laughing, his dark young face alight with mirth at having slipped under his cousin’s guard. “Oh, Royce, if you could just see the expression on your face.”
    â€œI’m pleased that my advancing years give you such delight. Considering that I am such a doddering old man, I am surprised that you consented to come to England with me!”
    â€œWell, at your age, I couldn’t very well let you come alone, could I?”
    Royce’s shout of laughter greeted Zachary’s words. “You ungrateful young devil! I should have left you in Louisiana with Dominic and your sister, Melissa! I may be on the brink of my grave when viewed from the eyes of an infant, but at least with me you are spared the billing and cooing of our newlyweds!”
    â€œInfant?” Zachary replied, a little stung, then seeing the teasing glint in Royce’s eyes, he grinned a bit shamefacedly. But unwilling to retire from the field defeated, he narrowed his eyes and added dulcetly, “I suppose at your mature age, I do seem an infant.”
    Royce was not to be drawn, however, and he merely grinned. “Sometimes, my dear cousin, you do indeed!”
    Zachary pulled a face, but decided not to pursue this particular line of conversation further. While Royce was never cruel to those he had affection for, he could be quite blunt in his speech. Thinking over several escapades that he had partaken of in the past few weeks since their arrival in the middle of May in England, Zachary wisely changed the subject.
    Getting up from his own chair by the fire, Zachary crossed the room to pour himself another glass of port from a crystal decanter. His glass refilled, he turned to his cousin. “Shall I pour you another while I am up?”
    â€œWhy not? The night is still young, and it will not shock the servants if their backwoods American employer has to be put to bed with his boots on!”
    Despite his words, there was nothing “backwoods” about either Royce or Zachary; from the intricate folds of their starched white cravats to the mirror shine of their boots, both men were as elegantly attired as any aristocratic English gentleman. But Zachary was uneasily aware of a caustic note in Royce’s voice that should not have been there.
    Returning to his seat by the fire after filling Royce’s glass, Zachary asked casually, “Have you seen Lord Devlin recently?”
    Royce sent him a sardonic glance. “Now, I wonder why you asked that particular question.”
    â€œBecause the only time you get that particular note in your voice is when Lord Devlin has said or done something to annoy you.”
    Royce started to deny it, but then thought better of it.