London Loves - Book 3 - Love's Great Adventure Series by Theresa Troutman

I’ve set up a meeting for Tuesday afternoon in my office in London. Can you make it?”
    “So soon?” Sebastian asked, surprised by Maxwell’s efficient manner.
    “It only took a few phone calls,” Max said, as if it were no bother at all.
    Sebastian chuckled to himself. “Yes, I keep forgetting you’re the Earl of Sutton.”
    “Don’t make light of this, Sebastian. Do you or do you not want to find our father?”
    Sebastian became somber. “Yes, I want to find him. I just keep thinking, what if it all turns out horribly? Maybe I should leave it be.”
    Max blew a ring of smoke into the air, pondering the question. “You’re not the only person who has wondered. Victoria and I talk about him from time to time.”
    “Then why not take action? Why wait for me to bring it up?”
    Max sipped his brandy and then placed the glass back down on the table. “Maybe you’re not the only one afraid of Mother.”
    “I’m not afraid, Max—not of her.” He finished his scotch and placed the empty glass on the arm of the leather chair. “I’ll meet you on Tuesday. Now if you don’t mind, I’d like to get back to my wife.”
    Maxwell nodded in agreement as he stood from the chair. “Yes, the ladies await.”
     
    Sebastian joined Tess and the others in the sitting room. “Why do you look so serious?” Tess asked.
    Sebastian let out the breath he’d been holding in as he placed his arm around Tess' shoulders. “Max set up a meeting with the investigator for Tuesday. I’m shocked that it’s happening so quickly. I just need it to sink in.”
    “It will be okay,” Tess reassured. She changed the subject. “I like Victoria. She’s ambitious like me.”
    “Yes, she’s the go-getter. I’m glad you like her.”
    “I think it’s good we came back here. It feels like a new beginning.”
    Sebastian looked about the room—his siblings and Penny laughing and smiling. Everything seemed perfect, but he couldn’t shake the odd feeling in his gut that something bad was bound to happen. “Come on, let’s go join the others.”

Chapter 9 - In My Life
    Sebastian rolled over in bed and looked at the clock on the bedside table. It read 1:30 a.m. and he was wide awake. Quietly, he got out of bed and slipped on his navy robe. He padded down the hallway to the nursery. Inside, Mattie was fast asleep. A four-year-old could only take so much excitement. He sat in the antique rocking chair and watched her sleep peacefully. Whenever anything troubled him, he always found solace in watching his daughter sleep. It was as if everything was put in perspective. Mattie and Tess—they were the reasons he was put on this earth, he was sure of it. So whatever happened next—finding his father, running into Lily, reconnecting with his siblings—he could handle it. Before Sebastian left the nursery, he leaned over and kissed Mattie on the forehead.
    He made his way to Nanny’s old room. Once inside, he turned on the light. Thankfully, everything was still intact. Lily hadn’t removed a thing. This gave him some measure of comfort. He walked around the room looking at old photographs of them together, which made him smile at the long lost memories. “I hope you’re proud of me, Nanny,” he said aloud as his fingertips touched her image under the glass picture frame. He couldn’t help but think how tickled she’d be if she had the chance to know his daughter.
    Next he wandered out into the hall and headed for the library. Maybe a nice brandy and a good book would relax him so he could fall asleep. As he turned the corner, he abruptly stopped when he came upon Penny standing outside of Maxwell’s bedroom. He stepped back into the shadow as he observed her arms wrapped around Max’s neck. She was barefoot, her blonde hair disheveled, as they passionately kissed. When they pulled apart, Penny stepped back and Maxwell closed the door with a soft click.
    Penny turned and began to walk toward Sebastian, who took the opportunity to