Page 12 of Tutoring a Lady into Sin
“Yes, Your Grace,” the women said in sing-song voices.
“But never fear,” Percy said as he swaggered toward the door. “I shall return and join you again at once.” He wagged his finger at the lady who was sitting on the left. “I very much want to hear all about your sea bathing adventures, Miss MacArthur.” The lady giggled loudly, and it was then that Phineas reached out and took hold of his brother’s forearm.
“You are making a spectacle of yourself,” Phineas said accusingly.
“No,” Percy countered. “You are the one causing a commotion. I was having a delightful time speaking to my guests. But that was before you stomped over and ruined everything.”
“I have not ruined anything,” Phineas protested. “Rather, I am trying to keep you from making a dreadful misstep.”
“Misstep?” Percy scoffed. “Whatever can you be on about now?”
Phineas led the way down the hall, and when they got to the study, he flung open the door. “Get inside,” he ordered.
Percy laughed drunkenly. “You cannot tell me what to do.”
“Perhaps not,” Phineas said as he yanked on his big brother’s arm, “but can I implore you to listen to me…to do as I say…just this once?”
“Oh,” Percy groaned theatrically, “fine. What will it be now, Brother? More talk of books and medicine and other such nonsense?”
“How much have you had to drink tonight?” Phineas queried as Percy spun about the room before careening into one of the chairs that was positioned next to the hearth. He slumped into it then and lazily draped one of his legs over the armrest.
“Are you asking as my physician or brother?” Percy asked as he arched his eyebrow haughtily.
“Can I not be both?” Phineas replied.
Percy snickered. “You can be, but sometimes your clinical side is unbearable.” He spread his hands wide. “Can you not see that we are hosting a party…a grand wedding celebration? It is to be much lauded, and yet, you are dragging the guest of honour away at the most inopportune time.”
Phineas shook his head angrily. “Would you listen to yourself? Going on and on about your wedding celebration. Tell me, Percy. Do you even know where your wife-to-be is right now?”
“Right now?” Percy asked as he gave a bewildered look around the room. “Do you mean right at this moment?”
Phineas heaved an impatient sigh. “Yes, where is Lady Christianna right now? What is she doing?”
Percival shrugged carelessly. “I should say she was in the parlour, mingling with our guests.”
“Is that what youthinkshe’s doing, or do youknowshe is in there?” Phineas pressed.
Percy reclined further in his chair and kicked his leg in thin air. “I hardly see that it matters much. I am sure my betrothed is wandering about the house somewhere, already doing her wifely duties and making sure our guests feel welcome.”
“But do you not wish to speak with her yourself?” Phineas asked as he swooped around Percy’s chair. He stood betwixt his brother and the hearth, with the smouldering fire at his back.
“Did she send you to find me?” Percy returned as a pleased smile drifted onto his lips. “Does my lovely bride miss me so dearly she must send my little brother to fetch me?”
“You are mistaken,” Phineas said as he ran a hand through the longest strands of his hair, pulling at it in his frustration. “Lady Christianna does not know that I am speaking to you on her behalf.”
“Then I do not follow you,” Percy admitted as he tipped his head back and began swinging his leg leisurely. “If you did not pull me in here so we could talk about my fiancée—”
“But thatiswhy I brought you in here,” Phineas nearly shouted in exasperation.
Percy’s eyes widened in surprise, and he whispered, “Why are you upset, Brother? Tell me, whatever is the matter?”
“You are not listening to me,” Phineas said as he took a step away from both Percival and the fireplace. “I wish to speak to you about Lady Christianna, but she does not know I am doing as much. The lady would be mortified if she knew we were having this conversation.”
“What is it?” Percival prompted. “You have never been so reserved about sharing your opinion before. If you think there is something I should know about my lady, then….”
“You are neglecting her,” Phineas whispered harshly. “She has been at Bixby Hall for days now, and at every turn, you walk away from her.”
Percy shrugged carelessly. “I see no fault in that. We are to be man and wife soon and will certainly spend a fair bit of time together then.”
