A Rose for Laura by Callie Hutton

2

Keniel stared at Hunt, then directed his attention to Driscoll and Dante who viewed him with confusion. He stood and walked to the sideboard, then back to the table, but didn't take his seat.

"Before I even start, I want you to know," he turned to Hunt, "I had every intention of telling all of you, but at first I attempted to get settled and get a feel for all of this." He waved his arm around. "I had no idea what you would think of my claim and how you would react to it. Your existence and our connection were unknown to me until a year or so ago."

He took his seat again and ran his palm over his short hair and down his face. He looked at Driscoll and Dante. "As Hunt obviously already knows, I am your brother."

Stunned silence followed as the three men to whom he had an unknown-to-them blood connection stared at him.

"Brother?" Dante said, taking Lydia's hand.

Hunt rested his arms on the back of the chair and directed his attention to Keniel. "I received a letter today from a Mr. Paul Davis, who said he was a friend of your mother and wanted to thank me for accepting you and allowing you to work at the club. He wrote that he had his doubts that revealing yourself to us as a brother was a good idea, but from what he'd learned through your letters to him, it had all worked out quite well."

Keniel slumped in his chair. "I never told him that I revealed my connection, just that I was working here. I guess he assumed the rest."

Dante stood and paced the length of the room, his hands on his hips. He stopped behind Hunt's chair. "As far as I'm concerned, I have no problem accepting you, since I am another 'wrong side of the blanket' son, but I do want to hear the story."

His voice low, Keniel began the tale of his mother's revelations on her deathbed and how he agreed to her request, quit his job, packed up and traveled to London.

Driscoll shook his head. "This is a shock."

"Indeed," Hunt added. "However, before we move forward on this and what it means to us as a family, I will need some proof."

Keniel gave a curt nod. "Of course. If you didn't, I probably would not be happy to call you brother. My mother provided me with my birth certificate. Even though I used her surname as mine throughout my life, the birth certificate plainly states my father is The Right Honorable, the Earl of Huntington."

"How do we know that is true, even if it is on the birth certificate?" Dante asked.

Keniel fished in his pocket for a ring that he'd carried all his life. He placed it in his palm and held it out to them. "My father gave this to my mother as a token of his affection."

Hunt sucked in a breath. "That ring bears the Huntington crest. There are only seven or eight of them in existence."

Keniel carefully watched the faces of the three men he wanted very much to accept him as they looked back and forth between the ring, and him. In the year or so he'd been employed by the Rose brothers, he knew them to be caring, loyal, dependable and hard workers. They were fair and generous employers, well-liked by club members and staff.

He'd never had siblings and always felt the loss of being an only child. No more so than when his mother passed away and he was the only family member to mourn her.

Driscoll made the first move. He stuck his hand out. "Welcome to the family, brother."

Keniel had to hold back tears, not wanting to appear weak in front of these men. Then he saw Dante blinking furiously and knew he was not the only one affected by this conversation.

Slaps on the back, bear hugs, a kiss on the cheek from Lydia which caused Dante to frown, followed Driscoll's move.

"I think this calls for a celebration. Diana and I will host a dinner to introduce you to Society and acknowledge you as our brother."

Keniel shook his head. "I don't think that's a good idea."

"Why?"

He grinned, trying to put some levity into what he thought might become a problem. "I'm sure you haven't noticed, but I don't look like the rest of the family."

Hunt shrugged. "And?"

"And as much as I appreciate—you do not know how much—your acceptance, I don't think that gesture will extend to your friends."

Driscoll shook his head. "Then they aren't friends. I have never felt comfortable among society, even though I was next in line for Hunt's title before his son was born. They don't particularly care for me, and I don't care for them."

Dante chimed in. "As a by-blow I've never had a strong position in society, but since my wife is a member of the peerage, I've had to attend some of their events. Do they like me? Accept me? I don't know and frankly don't care." He glanced down at Lydia. "Sorry, sweetheart, but you know how I feel regarding that part of the world."

She smiled up at him.

Hunt headed to the door. "I will speak with Diana and see how soon she can arrange a dinner." He pointed his finger at Keniel. "I expect you to be there."

Keniel capitulated and grinned at his eldest brother. "Yes, my lord."

Dante clapped his hand on Keniel's shoulder. "Now that we know who you are, you can expect Hunt to take over his big brother role. It makes him happy, so we allow it."

* * *

Laura smiled brightlyas she looked at the outside of the townhouse. This was perfect! Although not the top neighborhood in London, it was certainly respectable and safe. That was the important factor in selecting a new home.

Even more so was the rent on the house. The agent had told her the residence had been for sale for well over a year, but with no acceptable offers, he had advised the owner to lease it out.

The key clutched in her hand, she made her way up the steps to the front door. Hopefully, the inside was as suitable as the outside. The door easily opened, and she stepped into the entrance hall.

Dust motes flew in the stream of sunshine, a sign that the residence had been unoccupied for some time. She flapped her hand in the air and strolled the length of the corridor.

On the right side was a spacious room with floor to ceiling windows that was meant to be the drawing room. No doubt this had been the showcase for the family who lived there, with their best possessions displayed for all to see as soon as they entered.

On the other side of the staircase was a smaller space, that perhaps was a music room, or possibly a front parlor. Shelves, still lined with books in the room behind the music room was no doubt the library. The very end of the corridor and two steps down was the scullery and kitchen.

Laura was quite pleased. She went up the stairs to the first floor. Four bedrooms and a wash room would easily sleep their orphans. The second floor held a nursery with an attached nanny room.

She spun around in the nursery, smiling. The little ones would have a pleasant, cheerful place to live with an attendant close by and the floor below could hold a few older children who could help with the little ones.

Grinning at her luck, she hurried down the stairs, anxious to travel to the leasing agent's office and sign the papers. The other committee members would be thrilled that their search had ended.

Just as her foot landed on the last stair, the front door opened.

A man stepped into the entrance hall. He took one look at her and removed his hat. "I beg your pardon, miss, I do not wish to intrude but am here to view the property." After a hesitation, he added, "I am Mr. Keniel Singh."

He was tall, well-built, and handsome, with skin a lovely golden brown. But what held her attention more than anything were his deep hazel eyes staring at her with a clear question. His melodious accent had his words rolling over her like warm honey.

She shook herself and smiled. "I am here to view the property as well, Mr. Singh. I am Miss Laura Benson." She didn't extend her hand, not sure if it was proper with a man to whom she hadn't had a formal introduction. "But I can tell you that I have decided to lease the house, so I'm afraid you are too late."

His brows rose. "Indeed? However, I just left the property agent who told me the residence was still for sale."

"Sale?"

"Yes, Miss Benson. I am looking to purchase a townhouse."

She shook her head. "No. The property is no longer for sale. It is now available for leasing." She offered him a tight smile. "And I have decided to lease it." She moved to go around him. "So, if you will excuse me, I shall be on my way to sign the lease."

He offered her a bow and stepped aside for her to pass.

"Have a good day, Mr. Singh."

"You as well, Miss Benson." The door closed behind her and she hurried down the steps. If Mr. Singh was interested in the house, she had to get to the leasing agent's office first and sign the papers.

She tapped her finger on her knee the entire ride to the office. She'd finally found the perfect house for their orphans, and she was not going to lose it to someone else. Mr. Keniel Singh could just go find another house to purchase.

Not waiting for the driver to jump down and open the carriage door for her, she hopped out and hurried into the office, almost losing her balance in her urgency. She raced up to the desk in the center of the room. "I wish to sign the lease for the house on Markham Street."

The young man behind the desk looked up at her, his eyes wide. "Oh, my goodness, Miss Benson, you startled me."

"I am sorry. But I want to sign the lease." When he continued to stare at her, she said, "Now." Remembering her manners, she softened her expression and added, "Please."

"I am afraid you cannot sign the lease right now, Miss Benson. Mr. Farnsworth, who is the agent for that property, is away from the office."

She placed her palms on the desk and leaned over, apparently with such vigor that the clerk reared back. "When will he return?"

He swallowed. "I am not sure."

Laura stood up straight and tugged on her jacket sleeves. "Very well. I shall wait." She turned on her heel, her skirts swishing behind her, and settled on an old wooden chair against the wall.

Mr. Singh would not snatch her house out from under her. As soon as Mr. Farnsworth returned she would grab him by the collar and insist he produce the lease so she could sign it.

Near to forty minutes later, the door to the office opened and Laura jumped up, a bright smile on her face, expecting to see Mr. Farnsworth.

Her eyes narrowed when she spotted Mr. Keniel Singh standing in the doorway, his hat in his hand, smiling at her. "Good day, Miss Benson. I did not expect to see you again so soon."