“Not to a guest. And certainly not to a baron. You go in by the front door. I’ll walk around to the back.” I held out my hand, waiting for him to assist me down.
“Anyone who sees either of us will guess what happened.” To my surprise, he grabbed me by my waist and lifted me off the wall. Clutching his arms to keep my balance, I swallowed a shriek that would certainly have brought my mother and sister rushing to the window. In a harsh whisper, I demanded, “What are you doing?”
He set me down. “The last time you climbed that wall, you fell off, and I have a suspicion it was partly my fault. I could not allow that to happen again.”
His tone might make one believe that having a man lift a woman from a wall was the most natural thing in the world. But there was nothing natural about the way his hands burned imprints into my sides that I was certain would never go away.
I stepped out of his grasp. “Next time, the assistance of one of your hands will be enough.”
He nodded and started walking away.
“Where are you going?”
He paused. “To change. As much as I enjoy spending time with you, I think it best if I return to a more proper state of attire.” He disappeared around the side of the house.
He enjoyed spending time with me. Was he serious? Did it matter? Confusion wore at my resolve. The man from the Hickmores’ would never have handled me so gently. He would never have been kind after being knocked into a lake. And his touch would never have left me feeling warm and unsettled.
This side of Lord Williams was definitely more dangerous than the man from the Hickmores’.
Eighteen
The ringing bell signaled the Johnsons’ arrival five minutes earlier than expected. Those were five minutes I had planned to spend in my room to await the last possible moment to descend in an effort to keep my interactions with Lord Williams to a minimum. No good would come from being around him more than absolutely necessary.
This afternoon had only reiterated how important the selection of my future spouse was; there could be no yielding on this.
I glanced in the mirror and arranged the chain of my necklace before leaving to greet our guests.
Daniel stood at the top of the stairs, blocking my way, staring down to the entry below, his hands grasping the railings.
“Daniel, shall we descend? I believe our guests are here.”
Catherine’s laugh echoed up to us. He whipped around to face me. “Did you invite them?”
I shrugged and pretended to study my glove. “It was either them or Mr. Lundall, and considering I have already had my fair share of time alone with the latter, I thought it only fair to provide you the same opportunity with the former.”
“You invited them to get back at me for leaving you with Mr. Lundall? Dragging things out a little far, aren’t we?”
I narrowed my eyes, all sense of good humor evaporating. “Not just for that. This is for the game of bowls you made me play with Lord Williams. And for scooting my chair next to his. It is for the song you tried to corner me into singing and for leaving us in the middle of the lake in a boat. It is for every awkward, backstabbing move you have made since Lord Williams arrived. I thought I could rely on you—my own brother—but now I know that at the first possibility for amusement you will throw me to the wolves.”
“There are no wolves in England, Margaret.”
I don’t know why his response surprised me, but the annoyance in his voice inflamed me to anger. I shoved past him. I had no need of his help. I would do this on my own.
Pasting on a wide smile, I strode into the parlor. To my surprise, Catherine’s father, who was the town doctor, and her elder brother James had also come.
Catherine had already attached herself to Lord Williams’s side. James came forward to greet me.
“Miss Brinton, how good to see you again.”
There was a falseness in his too-cheery voice. I realized at once why he had been included. The Johnsons had had the same idea of attaching Catherine to Lord Williams as I’d had, and James was there as my distraction. I could have laughed.
“Mr. Johnson.”
Daniel entered and dinner was announced. James offered me his arm. Though Lord Williams glanced at us and my mother frowned, I accepted his offer and whispered, “I believe you and I are fighting on the same side, sir.”
“Are we indeed?”
I waited to see whether Catherine would catch Lord Williams as her escort or be left with Daniel. Either would have satisfied me. What I did not expect was Lord Williams to willingly extend his arm to her. I was further surprised when he requested Catherine sit next to him. I sat in my regular seat next to my father, James between me and his sister. Across from me, Mrs. Johnson beamed at her daughter.
After dinner was served, James leaned close. “You were saying, Miss Brinton?”
I peeked around him. Catherine was completely engrossed in a conversation with Lord Williams, her plate forgotten. Lord Williams appeared to be just as engrossed in the conversation. What could they possibly be talking about? Catherine couldn’t have many interests in common with Lord Williams, since her only interest was finding a man to marry. Though, come to think of it, he seemed to have marriage as his primary interest as well.
I straightened. Why was I the only one he insisted on being disagreeable to? “I was saying there is no need to pretend an interest in me. I know what you are about, and I will not interfere.”
“You think my interest is feigned?”
I rolled my eyes. “Mr. Johnson, we have known each other too long to play games.”
He smiled. “Exactly.”
“I do not take your meaning.”
“My meaning is that people change. Feelings change. Why does it seem so impossible that my intentions toward you may not have changed?”
I stabbed a potato with my fork. “Are you saying that you have developed a tendre for me, Mr. Johnson?”
“I’m only saying that it isn’t impossible.” He lifted his napkin, pretending to wipe his mouth.
He was unsuccessful in masking his grin. “You forget that I have a brother,” I said. “You may tease me as much as you wish, but I will not be fooled by your antics.”
Mr. Johnson replaced his napkin, fully revealing his smile. “Your brother is extremely blessed to have a sister such as yourself.”
“Perhaps you should remind him of his good fortune.”
Daniel grimaced at something Catherine had said and commenced picking at his food. He should not display his irritation so openly. Although, had not I done the same the night Lord Williams had arrived?
“Mr. Brinton, your guest certainly appears to be a charming young man,” Mrs. Johnson said. “It was very kind of your daughter to extend an invitation to dine while he is here.”
“Yes,” my father replied. To his credit, he gave no indication of the annoyance he must have felt at the situation.
“And he is here merely visiting as . . . ?”
“He has come to consult on improvements to our estate.”
I raised my brows. My father had not mentioned the engagement. Why not announce it? Surely he meant for the banns to be read this coming Sunday.
Mrs. Johnson glanced at me. “I see. Miss Brinton, what do you think of your guest?”
Would she not even attempt to disguise her intent? “I think him an honorable acquaintance.”
She examined me a second too long before she looked back down the table. “He seems quite amiable. His estate is to the north, I believe?”
She no doubt knew more about Lord Williams than I did. Being isolated from the town these past few days, I had not had the advantage of village gossip to inform me of all the facts and rumors regarding Lord Williams. But when Mrs. Johnson refrained from making any more inquiries, I began to doubt that word of the engagement had gotten out.
In the sudden hush at our end of the table, I heard Lord Williams say, “I very much enjoyed the company of Miss Rosthorn today. Is she in any way related to Mr. Edward Rosthorn?”
The room stilled, Dr. and Mrs. Johnson both glancing at me while James set down the bite of food that had been halfway to his mouth. My father cleared his throat. “Uh, yes. Edward is Miss Rosthorn’s elder brother.”
Lord Williams nodded. “I thought there might be some connection. The family should be very proud. Though I have never met the couple, I hear he and the former Lady Swenson are very happy.”
“No doubt her large fortune aided in their felicitous union,” I muttered.
Next to me, James chuckled. My comment must have been louder than I expected, because Lord Williams said, “I understood that, though her family was against the union, the couple could not be separated, that theirs was a love match. Miss Brinton, you believe it to be otherwise?”
It did not matter what I believed. Nor did the shadow of the old ache in my chest matter. Nothing about Edward, his mistresses, or his hasty marriage to the former Lady Swenson mattered. “No. You must be correct.” And for the former Lady Swenson’s sake, I hoped he was.
My mother said something then, to which Dr. Johnson responded. I forced myself to eat, though the whole table was now doing its best to pretend I didn’t exist.
Mrs. Johnson endeavored to restart conversation, and my father and James rallied to the task. Even so, I heard Daniel ask, “How was the boat ride, my lord? I hope you heeded my warning and did not allow Margaret to row. I would hate for you to have suffered a drenching.”
Did Daniel know? Even if he didn’t, there was no reason for Lord Williams not to confess what had happened. This had to be one of the most humiliating dinners I had suffered through.
“No, your sister did not touch the oars while I was in the boat,” Lord Williams replied. I waited, but he failed to elaborate. The conversation turned to the remarkable weather we’d been enjoying.
Lord Williams hadn’t outed me. He’d respected my wishes that the incident remain undiscovered. And he had kept the secret without lying.
Why?
Alice was waiting for us when we retired to the drawing room. Catherine greeted her briefly before making her way to the piano. Mrs. Johnson ignored Alice completely and imprisoned my mother in conversation.
I sat next to Alice and answered her questions regarding the dinner with more excitement than I felt.
When the gentlemen entered, Catherine stood from the piano to greet them. I knew what she was about. By her position, she associated herself with music, yet in refraining from playing when the men entered she gave the pretense of modesty. She was practically begging someone to ask her to display her musical talents.
She wasn’t disappointed. James and Daniel made their way to me, but Lord Williams hesitated only a second before striding to Catherine.
“Do you play, Miss Johnson?”
“A little.”
“Perhaps you would do us the honor.”
She would. Catherine would never pass up an opportunity for display.
She lowered her gaze to the floor. To a man her maneuver might seem bashful, but I had studied the same arts she had and knew she was merely pretending. “I would not wish to displace Miss Brinton.”
I nearly snorted. She’d derive great pleasure in doing just that.
I waited to be addressed so that I might assure them of my disinterest in performing. But Lord Williams didn’t consult me. He didn’t even look my way. “I think you will find Miss Brinton is rather averse to the idea of playing before the present audience.”
“Really?” Catherine studied me as though trying to discern my true motives for passing on such an opportunity. “In that case, I would be happy to sing.”
Daniel let out a low snort of impatience. Before he could say something rude, I said, “Miss Johnson, we would be delighted if you would honor us with a song.” Better her than me.
Her eyes narrowed as though she thought I planned to undermine her. I responded with a genuine smile. Still looking distrustful, she sat at the piano.
She had improved since I had last heard her. Her fingers stumbled over a few notes, but she hid her mistakes well by singing over them. It was a decent performance, one that demanded praise.
Lord Williams stood next to her the entire time, his attention never wavering.
He was wearing the blue coat he had worn the previous evening; it accented his eyes wonderfully. Catherine’s gaze lingered when she looked up at him, and I wondered if she could fathom the strong shoulders and arms his coat concealed or if she would appreciate his even temper and thoughtfulness if she knew of them.
Of course she would. Any woman would. And given that he had not displayed the least inclination to bolt while she sang or even frowned in her direction, she might not understand the humiliation he was capable of inflicting.
“You seem somewhat excited, Miss Brinton,” James said, interrupting my musings. “Is everything all right?”
I glanced at him, startled. “You are mistaken. I am perfectly at ease.”
James tilted his head to the side. “Hm. Either you have acquired a rather nervous habit of twisting your hands since we were last together or your fingers are very anxious for their chance at the piano.”
Lord Williams glanced over at us. I stilled my hands. “Neither, I think.”
“Do you really intend not to perform at your own gathering?” James asked.
Daniel leaned in front of me. “You’ll have to excuse her, James. She had a rather traumatic experience last week and is too timid to play before the present company.”
“I am not timid,” I said.
“Of course not.” Daniel straightened with a smirk.
“I’m not,” I repeated.
Lord Williams and Catherine moved to the book of music and began discussing various pieces. Frustration welled within me. Though I had invited Catherine as a diversion for Lord Williams, I had not expected him to take to her quite so quickly. Or so completely.
Alice walked up and stood next to me. “Aren’t you going to play something?”
I glanced to where my mother and father and Dr. and Mrs. Johnson sat comfortably on the settees, Mrs. Johnson beaming at Catherine, Dr. Johnson in low conversation with my father.
My mother nodded at me, urging me to perform. Perhaps she had sent Alice over.
“Are you going to play or not?” Daniel asked. “If you aren’t, perhaps we should bring out the cards.”
“If you would sing, I would consider it a privilege to accompany you,” James offered.
I shook my head. “Thank you, but no.”
“Well, you have to do something,” Daniel said. “You arranged for this party, after all.” He cleared his throat. “My dear sister Margaret has decided to honor us with her playing.”
James flashed me a sympathetic look.
Perhaps it was best to get it over with. If I played, Daniel’s game of constantly volunteering me to perform would end.
Catherine moved to her brother’s side and whispered in his ear while I shuffled across the room. To both my annoyance and satisfaction, Lord Williams remained near the piano.
“What will you play?” he asked.
His question brought me up short. I didn’t know what to play. “Perhaps you should suggest something so I can avoid the reaction I received the last time I attempted to entertain you with music.”
“We both know it was not me you were attempting to entertain. But I promise to remain in this spot throughout the duration of your performance.”
“How kind of you.” I couldn’t determine if I found his nearness vexing or calming.
This was all Daniel’s fault. And then I smiled. I knew exactly what to play.
I played Daniel’s least fav
orite song, a plaintive air that he’d insisted I’d played too much after Edward. Daniel’s groan of objection was satisfying, but I hadn’t counted on the music dredging up the old pain, the memory of how at one time I had been blissfully in love.
Would I never be free of the dishonesty?
Lord Williams was true to his word. He didn’t move throughout the song. When I finished, I was embarrassed to find him watching me closely. I stood, hoping he hadn’t seen what I’d felt.
“Ugh, Margaret,” Daniel said. “If I’d known you were going to play that I would have insisted on cards. Play something else. Something less doom and gloom.”
“Will you play something else?” Lord Williams asked more quietly.
I shook my head. “I believe hearing me play once is more than enough entertainment.”
“Not for me.”
I couldn’t tell from his expression if he’d truly appreciated my playing or if he was merely trying to make up for the rudeness of last time. I hoped it was the first.
No. That wasn’t right.
“Margaret,” Daniel said, “if you’re unwilling, perhaps Miss Johnson will delight us with another.”
Catherine’s gaze settled on Lord Williams and something in my chest tightened. I needed to be alone a moment to smother my emotions and gather my wits.
I retreated to the stack of music.
Lord Williams joined me. “Do you have a song in mind?”
Why had he followed me? “No.” I flicked through the pages, barely glancing at the songs. I should just let Catherine play. That’s what she was here for.
Lord Williams’s hand suddenly settled on mine. Startled, I looked up, but he was focused on the paper before us.
“Would you play this?”
It was the song from the Hickmores’, the sonata he had walked out on. I slid my hand, which had been growing pleasantly warm under his touch, from under his and hid it in my skirt. “You’ve already heard it.”
“I’d like to hear it again. All of it.”
“I don’t think—”
“Please.”
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