Free Romancing the Earl by Darcy Burke Page A

they’d moved into after the death of his father thirteen years before. Elijah noted the landscape painting of the Somerset Levels, the area from where his mother hailed, its vibrant colors somewhat overshadowed by the bright blue paint with which she’d insisted on having the walls of the entry hall painted.  
    “This way,” the butler said, gesturing Elijah into the front sitting room. Much of the furnishings were familiar, but there was a new carpet—vivid yellow and bronze. Elijah’s eye was drawn to the portrait of him and his brother hanging over the fireplace. Matthew’s mischievous ten-year-old face stared back at him, while Elijah, just eight and wearing a timid look, stood somewhat behind him, as Mother had arranged them.
    Timid? Yes, he’d grown up in his brother’s shadow and under the brunt of his mother’s displeasure, but his years in the army had completely changed him. Would she even notice?
    The butler interrupted his thoughts. “I’ll see if Mrs. Hollister is able to receive you.”
    Elijah didn’t think she’d turn him away. That her son was an earl had to give her endless satisfaction—even if it was Elijah and not Matthew—and he couldn’t imagine her ignoring his call. Would she, however, be forthcoming with any information she might have regarding his search for the tapestry and with any information about Matthew’s death?
    After a good quarter hour, she finally came into the sitting room. She wore a glaring fuschia morning gown. Her dark blond hair was swept simply but tidily atop her head. Elijah detected a few more strands of gray since he’d seen her last, but she wore it well. Her dark blue eyes pierced him with curiosity. “I must own I’m surprised to see you, Elijah.”
    Because the last time he’d left, he said he’d never return. And at the time, he’d meant it. Elijah fingered his hat, which he’d removed while he’d been waiting. “I’m surprised as well, but then there have been many surprises, haven’t there? I never imagined I’d be back in England as an earl.”
    Mother moved into the room and sat in a chair the color of the Australian sun in midsummer. She arranged her skirts and gestured for him to sit. “Yes, it was unexpected enough for Matthew to inherit, but then for him to die so suddenly . . .” She looked up at the portrait and blinked.
    Elijah knew her grief was real and was sorry for it. He might not like her, but he didn’t wish for her to suffer. He also wasn’t comfortable discussing it. “Matthew visited you just before he died.”
    “Yes.” She returned her gaze to his. “Aren’t you going to sit down? I’m getting a neck ache looking up at you. I’d almost forgotten how unnaturally tall you are.”
    Unnatural, yes. She’d always found so many traits and behaviors to criticize about him. He dropped onto the settee, setting his hat down beside him, but didn’t relax. “Did he bring anything with him?”
    She looked at him blankly. “Such as his valet?”
    That she mentioned the valet piqued Elijah’s interest, but he’d discuss that in a moment. “I’m looking for a tapestry that he may have brought here for safekeeping.”
    Mother shook her head. “No, he didn’t bring anything like that. Is that why you’re here? You’re looking for some tapestry? I suppose just paying your mother a visit didn’t occur to you.”
    Elijah stared at her, dumbfounded she would say such a thing. “Are you going to pretend we have that sort of relationship?”
    Her answering look was cool. “That was a long time ago, Elijah. I expected the army to have eased your frustration.”
    “It did.” But he’d never forget the way she’d abused—not physically, but with words and demeanor—him and his father. She’d hated everything Jerome Hollister had done—the way he’d dressed, the manner in which he’d eaten, the amount of time he’d spent with his horses. That Elijah had taken after him, particularly in his love of animals, had