Page 17 of Tutoring a Lady into Sin
Her pulse quickened as she stared back at him. “I may have been told as much once or twice.”
“Ha!” He laughed. “You are too self-effacing, my lady. You must know that everything you do is pleasing and worthy of praise.”
She could feel the redness as it crept up her neck and coloured her cheeks. “Phineas, I think you are being too kind.”
“Maybe,” he replied lightly. “But at least I made the colour come back to your face.”
“Ah,” she cried, “you are a rascal…merely complimenting me so you might make me blush.”
His brows furrowed, and he looked at her quizzically. “I would never do that. You know I never say anything I do not mean.”
“Well…” Christianna pulled the word out slowly as she gave herself a minute to come up with a response. “I suppose I should thank you then for helping me recover. I am feeling infinitely better and might even be persuaded to play on for a while longer.”
“Such a good patient,” Phineas remarked as he flipped over his cards.
“Patient?” Christianna queried. “Have we given up on our tutorials then so that I may become one of those you study instead?”
“Of course not,” he assured her. “If I had my way…” But then, his words trailed away. He paused for a second before murmuring, “Christianna, it is your turn. Do show your cards, please.”
Christianna wanted to delay for a moment longer. She wished to know what Phineas was about to say before he stopped himself but could not bring herself to press him further.
He has done me a great kindness by steering my thoughts away from Percival. I shall repay him now by leaving him to his own musings.
She flipped both her cards to reveal that she had won another hand, but Phineas also beat the house. “You see?” he said. “We can both win at this game.”
“Yes,” she murmured. “I think you are right. It is nice when everyone gets what they want.”
Chapter 8
“And why are you not out playing with your brother and his friends?” Phineas turned to see his mother coming across the lawn, speaking loudly as she angled her way toward him.
“Mama, you make it sound as though we are a bunch of children, chasing each other about while you have tea with your friends,” Phineas replied.
Uncle Felton was escorting the dowager duchess, and as the two came upon Phineas, she huffed prissily. “This is a garden party, dear. You are meant to have a bit of fun—just as Percy is doing.”
“If you ask me, Percy has indulged far too much. He is not just having a bit of fun, he is—”
“Hush, Phineas,” his mother scolded. “Someone might overhear you and think you are jealous of your brother.”
Phineas snorted and rolled his eyes heavenward. “Yes, Mama. We would not want anyone to think there was any strain in our family.”
The dowager stepped forward and laid a comforting hand on Phineas’ arm. “Cheer up, dear. It is a beautiful day, and there are many lovely young ladies about. Perhaps you might find one who is to your liking. Before long, I could see both my boys happily married and—”
“Mama,” Phineas interjected, “I think I see some of your cousins across the way. You best not keep Auntie Eliza waiting. You know how she likes to best you in nine-pin.”
“Best me in nine-pin?” his mother scoffed. “I would like to see her try.” She lifted the hemline of her skirt so that it would not drag in the grass and started to walk away but paused. “Are you coming, Lord Linfield?”
“I will be right there,” he assured her. “Just let me talk with young Phineas for a moment first.”
His mother’s thin lips tightened into a grim line, and Phineas got the distinct impression that she was thinking of saying something else, but she shook her head minutely, must have thought better of it, and went along to greet Aunt Eliza.
“I do not mean to lecture you, my boy—”
“Then do not,” Phineas interjected. Uncle Felton snorted softly.
“You know I am going to tell you what is on my mind, so why did you bother to interrupt?”
Phineas laughed. “I cannot say. It is just that I do not want us to be at odds, Felton.”
