Page 29 of Tutoring a Lady into Sin
“To Lady Christianna,” Phineas murmured quietly, then he took a small sip of his drink. He looked about the table, watching the way the others returned to their meals as well as their own conversations, but then his eyes went back to Percy. He had once more resumed his seat.
He was drinking heartily from his goblet but was also meeting his gaze. Or at least Phineas thought Percy was looking at him. He shifted to look at Christianna once, and she was sharing this long moment with Percival.
Percy’s not looking at me at all. He is gazing at his lovely wife-to-be and…
Phineas tightened his grip on his wine goblet and felt as if he could crush the thing in his bare hands. Restraining himself from creating such a spectacle, he put the fine crystal glass back on the table. But as he let go of it, he noticed that his fingers were trembling.
I do not know what has come over me. That was a perfectly nice toast, and Christianna seems well-pleased by Percy’s attentions and…
Percy’s attentions.
Phineas’ stomach turned, revolting at his thoughts.
There is not a woman in this room Percy has not lavished his attentions upon generously. And now, he has set his sights on Christianna. My Christianna.
The nonsensical thought popped into Phineas’ mind. Even though he knew it was just that, sheer lunacy, as Christianna was engaged to be married to Percival and he, therefore, could not claim her as his own, he could not chase it away.
But she is mine. I have been the one spending time with her, getting to know her better, even sharing a kiss with her.
A growl escaped Phineas when he thought of how he had tasted Christianna’s lips but had, in what seemed like a judicious moved, drawn back from her.
Apathetic fool! What have I done, or rather, what have I failed to do?
“Christianna,” Phineas whispered as he leaned close to her.
“Yes, Doctor?” she asked innocently.
“I need to speak with you.”
“Say whatever you like,” Christianna replied dreamily. “You have all my attention once more.”
Phineas glanced toward the head of the table and saw that Percy was no longer fixing his gaze on his fiancé but instead had returned to the conversation he was having with those seated nearest to him.
“We cannot talk here,” Phineas breathed. “You must excuse yourself at once and meet me in the library.”
Christianna laughed. “You know I cannot do that. We have the whole night ahead of us yet and….” When she turned to look at him squarely, her words trailed away for a moment. “Doctor Radcliff? Are you all right?”
“I most decidedly am not,” he replied stiffly. “I am going to make my excuses and say I have a headache. In five minutes, excuse yourself as well and meet me in the…”
“My lady…”
Phineas was unable to stifle the groan that popped out of his mouth as he heard Percival’s voice. He had been so engrossed in getting Christianna out of the room that he failed to notice his brother had left his seat and come to stand behind them.
Christianna seemed equally surprised as her eyes widened, and she sucked in a sharp inhale. “Your Grace,” she said softly as she recovered her composure.
“My mama and your auntie have been in raptures all day, telling me about your accomplishments. It seems you are a gifted musician.”
Christianna’s charming smile floated onto her face as she shook her head. “I believe they have exaggerated my skills, Your Grace. For I am no better or worse at playing the pianoforte than any of the other young ladies.”
“I should like to be the judge of that,” Percy said as he smiled down at her. “If you would be so kind as to play for us this evening, I would be forever in your debt.”
Pink pops of colour brightened Christianna’s cheeks. “I shall play, if that is what you would like, but I must temper your expectations.”
“I am sure your skills will be more than satisfactory, my lady, and I look forward to hearing you play soon.” Percy nodded politely at the two of them, then offered Christianna his hand. “Should I escort you into the music room now?”
Christianna’s smile faltered for just a moment as she cast an anxious glance at Phineas. “I think I might…”
“Go on,” Phineas urged her as he pushed away from the table and stood right next to his older brother. “You should play. The duke requests it.”
