A smile flashed. “It appears that the loss of temper is yet another something we have in common, brother.”
One side of his mouth kicked up. “So it does.”
Juliana sighed, relaxing into her chair. “I have come to fare la pace.”
Gabriel extended his legs, leaning back with a smile at his sister’s Italian. “I would very much enjoy making peace.”
She extended a large parcel wrapped in brown paper. “In Italy, we have an expression, a gift after an argument—it is an olive branch.”
He accepted the package. “It is the same in English.”
She grinned. “It is nice to know that some things do not change.”
“I should think you have had enough change recently.”
She dipped her head. “As you say.” Her gaze fell to the parcel. “Are you not curious about your gift?”
Gabriel looked down at the package, carefully wrapped and tied to best protect its contents, and he found he was filled with curiosity. How long had it been since he’d received a gift? A gift from someone who expected nothing in return? Looking back at his sister, he registered the expectant excitement on her face—her obvious hope that he would enjoy whatever was inside the simple, brown wrapping.
Yes. He was very curious.
He tore into the package, breaking the string that held the paper and shucking the wrapping. Turning the book over in his hands, he registered her thoughtfulness. “How did you know that I have a passion for Mozart?”
She smiled. “I have a bedchamber in this house, also. It is not difficult to recognize your favorite composer.”
He ran his fingers across the leather-bound cover with reverence. “I shall begin reading it tonight.” He met her eyes, all seriousness. “Thank you, Juliana.”
She gave a small, shy smile. “You are welcome. I am happy that you like it.”
“I do. Very much.”
He marveled at the fact that this girl who had been through so much, who had found herself unceremoniously delivered to the doorstep of a complete stranger two countries away, would have thought to purchase a gift for him.
“I do not have a gift for you.”
She laughed. “Of course you do not. Why would you?” When he seemed unable to find a decent response, she added, “We are family. This is what family does, is it not?”
He paused for a moment, thinking. “Actually, I haven’t any idea if this is what family does. It has been rather a long time since I’ve had anyone other than Nick.”
Juliana considered his words. “Indeed. Well then. Shall we make a decision now that this is what family does? At least, our family?”
“That sounds like a capital idea.”
Juliana clapped her hands quickly and grinned broadly. “Excellent!” She added in a casual tone, “Do you know, my lord, that I have always wanted a brother who would spoil me?”
He laughed at her feigned innocence. “Really? May I suggest you discuss that particular desire with Nick?”
Her eyes widened at his jest before she burst out laughing. “I think that is a marvelous plan!” Lowering her voice to a conspiratorial whisper, she said, “Do you think he will be very extravagant?”
“One can certainly hope so.”
“Indeed, she can!”
They settled into companionable silence for a few long minutes, and Juliana watched as Gabriel leafed through his new book. Finally, he looked up, and said, “When did you find time to purchase this?”
Juliana waved one hand in the air, and said, “Several weeks ago, Callie and Mariana and I were on Bond Street and discovered a bookshop there—that book came highly recommended—and Callie seemed to think that it would make an excellent gift for you.”
He stiffened at the mention of Callie. “Did she?”
Juliana nodded, “I find she gives excellent counsel.” When he shifted in his chair and said nothing, her eyes narrowed perceptively, and she said, “You look guilty, brother.”
Gabriel looked away, eyes focusing on the candelabra he had set nearby earlier. “I did rather an excellent job of running her off earlier. I imagine she is quite…vexed with me at the moment.”
“Ah,” she said, knowing and teasing in her tone. “You are saying that Monsieur Latuffe was not the only idiota in the room this afternoon.”
One side of Ralston’s mouth twitched in chagrin. “No. It appears not.” He relaxed into his chair. “Do you know, I do not think that anyone has ever spoken to me such?”
A smile flashed. “You are long overdue for a sister, my lord.”
He considered her words. “I think you may be right.”
“Callie, she is different from other women,” Juliana said, entirely overstepping her bounds. “She is so willing to do what she must to make a situation right.”
A vision flashed, Callie standing in the doorway of his study, so obviously hurt by the words she had overheard and yet so willing to defend Juliana to him—to tell him precisely where he had overstepped the bounds of brotherhood. As though her personal pride were somehow less important than Juliana’s happiness.
When he turned his attention back to his sister, she was looking at him with a knowing gaze. “I see you have noticed the same.”
“Yes. She is quite remarkable.”
“Perhaps you should apologize for your…” She waved one hand, searching for the word.
“Idiocy?”
She smiled. “If you like.”
He shifted in his chair, resting one leg over the other, and they grew quiet once more, each lost in thought. Finally, Gabriel spoke up, “Do you enjoy art?”