Joseph Lancaster smiled slightly, leaned forward to put the teacup back, looked at his "nephew," and said, "If my brother were alive, he might prefer me not to marry."
Although Sophia Hamilton beside Evander Lancaster didn't understand the cryptic talk between the uncle and nephew, she knew their conversation wasn't as simple as it seemed.
Confused, she lifted her head and found Evander apparently facing off with the elder at a diagonal. She quietly tugged at his shirt, and Evander withdrew his gaze, letting his eyes drop to Sophia's face, seeing her looking at him with pursed lips. The oppressive burden in his heart intensified; he wanted a place to vent. His sexy Adam's apple rolled up and down once, and his slender fingers pinched Sophia's chin, bending down to lightly bite her lip.
Afterward, he pressed his thumb on her lip, gently rubbing it, and smiled as he asked, "What, are you unhappy with being neglected?"
