Page 30 of Tutoring a Lady into Sin
“I…I will then.” She took hold of Percy’s hand, stood, then excused herself so she might go to prepare her sheet music.
“What was that all about?” Percy asked as they both remained rooted to the spot, watching Lady Christianna walk away.
“I do not know what you mean,” Phineas replied tartly.
“The two of you were acting awfully peculiar just now,” Percy murmured. “Is there something going on?” Then, he gave an amused chuckle. “But what am I suggesting? Of course, there is nothing.”
He paused and looked at Phineas critically. His right eyebrow arched higher than the other. “If you did have something to say, you would share it with me, would you not, Phineas?” He laughed again. “I mean, you can hardly be expected to contain yourself when you have already berated me for my behaviour previously.”
Phineas shook his head. “I have nothing to say, except I suppose I should thank you.”
Percy snickered. “There really is no need for that. I admit that your words last week have prompted me to pay my wife-to-be a bit more attention, but you need not share your gratitude on the subject.”
“You…” Phineas opened his mouth to explain just how much his brother misunderstood his meaning but snapped his lips shut so fast he made his teeth click together.
He will never comprehend why I wish to thank him right now. Had he not interceded, I might be standing in the library at this very moment, confessing to Lady Christianna my feelings. But what feelings? I was overtaken by a whim. It was a fleeting emotion. A fit of jealousy. I owe Percy a great deal, indeed, for his interference just kept me from making a colossal fool of myself.
“You must try to enjoy yourself this evening, Brother,” Phineas said kindly. “And I do believe you will find Lady Christianna’s playing pleasing. Despite what she says, she is very gifted.”
“I thought as much,” Percy replied. “But she is determined to be humble, and I suppose that is a virtue.”
“Indeed,” Phineas agreed, but his words were not heard by his brother. Percy was already looking at the next person, Lady Constance, and offering to escort her into the music room. Phineas reluctantly fell into step behind Percival and Lady Constance and followed them out of the dining room.
Several others, having heard Percy entreat Lady Christianna to play for them, were already filtering their way into the music room. Phineas took up a post near the window at the end of the room that was closest to the doorway.
Should I wish to make a hasty escape…
But he knew he would not go anywhere while Christianna was seated at the pianoforte. For while he knew that he had been overcome by jealousy, that green-eyed monster, for just a few moments, he also understood that she would expect him to stay in the room and support her while she played for the revellers.
Christianna proved to be quite the accomplished pianist as she began the recital by playing a concerto, then moved to a jollier piece of music. As the tinkling of the notes became cheerier, the others no longer sat about, quietly watching. They began to talk and laugh.
Phineas watched his brother circulate around the room, leaning forward casually, whispering in the ears of Lady Constance as well as Lady Lydia and Miss Hammerschmidt. He even swept near the back of the room where some of the footmen and lady’s maids stood. Miss Fitzroy’s cheeks went scarlet when the master of the house bowed before her, then leaned forward to whisper in her ear.
Miss Scriven seemed to tolerate Percy’s antics a little better, or at least she did not seem as flustered by his flirtatious behaviour. But Phineas decided that was because Miss Scriven, serving as the dowager duchess’ lady’s maid, had likely seen Percy do this much, and perhaps far worse, on plenty of occasions.
As Christianna finished the second song, those gathered applauded politely, but Percy made a show of congratulating her on a job well done. “Oh,” he cried as he pushed forward so he could stand at her side.
“That was just as I thought it would be.” Christianna stood and nodded politely, but then kept her head lowered. “But do not say you mean to stop. We were all enjoying ourselves immensely. Come, favour our merry party with another tune, my lady.”
Phineas could see that Christianna was even more hesitant than before to sit back down and continue her playing. But, behaving as precisely a proper lady should, she nodded dutifully and slumped back onto the bench. “What would you have me play, Your Grace?”
“Something with a bit of pep,” Percy declared. “If our guests should like to dance, we will allow it.” He paused and lifted both arms grandly in the air. “Would anyone care to dance with me?”
It was a most inappropriate way to behave, and Phineas was heartily ashamed of his brother’s behaviour, but there was no stopping Percival once he got started. Many young ladies moved to the edge of their seats, and once more, he wove his way through the room, whispering to them, tucking errant locks of hair behind their ears, and making it seem, in general, as if he were desirous of not just dancing with one of the fair ladies, but all of them.
Christianna played the next piece carefully. It was a country dance tune, just as Percy had requested. But Phineas could not help noticing the look of horror on Christianna’s face.
While she played, she watched Percy’s every movement as he flitted from one young woman to the next. At last, he asked Lady Bianca to stand up with him, and as he did, Christianna’s fingers must have slipped because there was an audible miscue. Phineas took a step forward, ready to rush to her side, but she stopped playing at once and stood.
“I think I need a bit of fresh air,” she announced to anyone and no one, really. For though the music had ceased, all the people were still laughing and talking, and some, like Percival, had even continued dancing.
Christianna fled from the room, and while Phineas was standing right there and he felt with every fibre of his being that he wanted to reach out and take her hand, he knew he must let her go.
One, two, three…
He had resolved to wait a full five minutes before chasing after her, but he never made it that far. Having let just three quick seconds elapse, he slipped out into the hall and ran after her.
“Christianna…wait,” he panted as she exited the house, moving at a frantic pace. He reached the doorway just in time to see her veer down the garden path. “Please!” he called after her, raising his voice a little now that he was outside. “You do not have to go.”
