Page 23 of Tutoring a Lady into Sin
“Thank you, Doctor Radcliff,” she replied as she gave him a winning smile. “Now, let us go again. I think we ought to practice as much as we can so that I do not make any errors tonight.”
“Certainly, Lady Christianna,” Phineas agreed as an affable smile spread wide on his face. “Whatever you need, I am at your disposal.”
Chapter 10
“So, you did not take the hint the other day, then?” Phineas turned as Uncle Felton sidled to his elbow and spoke.
“Hmmm…?” He murmured. His eyes were fixed on Lady Christianna and his brother, Percival. The dancing had commenced, and as Phineas would have hoped, Percy had done the gallant thing, or perhaps the appropriate thing, and requested Christianna partner with him for the first number. She seemed to be enjoying herself immensely, and it looked as though their practice in the library earlier had paid its dividends.
“Your mama and I asked you, at the garden party, to try and mingle with the guests. To perhaps find a lady of your own and make merry with her,” Uncle Felton continued. “And yet, here you are, standing in a corner brooding.”
Phineas realised then that his facial features had been set firmly, and he was crossing his arms over his chest. He dropped his hands to his sides, gave them a gentle shake, and said, “There? Is that better?”
Lord Linfield snickered. “Hardly. You have yet to join in the dancing.” He leaned forward and lowered his voice to a whisper, “Come now, Phineas. There are many fine ladies in attendance tonight, and you should have your pick of any of them. See…see there…”
He paused and nodded to a group of three women who were clustered near the corner of the room. “Ask Miss Greenfield or Lady Lydia to stand up with you. I am sure they would be obliged to do so, and you…well, you might just enjoy yourself as well.”
Phineas shrugged. “If you think I should ask one of our fair guests to join me for a dance, I will do it, but you need not worry about whether I am enjoying my time or not. I assure you—I am perfectly content standing right here.”
Felton frowned. “It does not look that way.”
“Am I not permitted just to stand here and watch the others? Is it so improbable that I should revel in the party without being accompanied by a pretty partner?”
“That sounds like an argument a wallflower might make, my boy,” Uncle Felton said as he clapped a hand on Phineas’ shoulder. “And you are no shrinking violet. Besides,” he added, “we cannot allow Percy to have all the fun, now, can we?”
“I am pleased for Percival,” Phineas replied as he jutted his chin, indicating the small group of dancers who were now joining hands and walking in a circle. “He seems to be finally noticing the charms of his lovely wife-to-be.”
“It is nice to see the two of them getting on so well. They do make a striking couple, do they not?” The dancers split from their circle and moved so they could hold hands and skip with just their partners. As Phineas watched, Percy tipped back his head and laughed gaily.
“They are both very handsome people,” Phineas answered. “And Lady Christianna deserves to be happy with her husband.”
Uncle Felton made a kind of jerking motion with his head as he twisted to give Phineas a rather surprised look. “You imply that Lady Christianna was unhappy before.”
“I…I…” Phineas faltered. “I did not mean to make it sound that way. It is just that these last few years have been very trying for the lady—what with losing her parents and all.”
“Oh?” Uncle Felton challenged. “Is that all, then?”
“I have just observed that Percy has been…well, he has been his normal, jovial self. And that means he has not set aside much time for his bride-to-be.” Phineas shook his head as he knew he was doing a poor job of explaining himself. “I only meant to say they look happy with one another, and that is all that matters.”
“Yes,” Felton murmured, “I do hope this feeling will linger.” He stopped and ran a hand through the top of his hair, patting it down.
“Sometimes, gentlemen and ladies can rush into a marriage and realise later that they have made a dreadful mistake. Even if they like their partners, they will wish for something else, something better.” He sighed warily. “It is a pity when that is the case. But…seeing Lady Christianna and Percival on the dance floor now, there is no need to assume they will be anything other than incandescently happy with one another.”
“Yes,” Phineas agreed. “They may represent one of those cases where opposites do attract one another, in that Percy will always make Christianna’s life lively, and she, in turn, will be someone who is sensible and will provide a calming presence.”
“Let us pray that is what is meant to be,” Uncle Felton said, then his nose wrinkled, and he whispered, “Excuse me.” He hastily pulled an aubergine-coloured handkerchief from his pocket and used it to cover his cough.
“Are you all right?” Phineas asked as Felton clutched the handkerchief tightly.
“I will be in just a moment,” Felton rasped as he turned all the way around and coughed into the cloth again. When he swivelled back, he explained, “I have found, over the years, that sometimes the ladies wear too much perfume.”
“Just the ladies?” Phineas joked.
Felton smirked. “Fine, the gentlemen perhaps have a heavy hand with the oils and spritzes as well. At any rate, when all that combines and it mixes with the heady scent of flowers in this room, I find my senses overwhelmed.”
“Itisrather warm in here,” Phineas agreed, “and I do think one of the revellers who just twirled by us was wearing a bit too much fragrance. Perhaps you should go for a walk outside. Let the fresh air do you some good.”
“You will join me then, Doctor?” Uncle Felton asked as he lifted his handkerchief again to cover a much smaller, barking cough.
