Page 14 of Tutoring a Lady into Sin
“But what of Lady Christianna? Will you at least speak with her? Will you perhaps seek her out when you return to the parlour?”
“I may,” Percy said as he ran a hand thoughtfully over his smooth jawline, “or perhaps not. It makes no difference to me either way.”
And with that, he strode from the room.
That didn’t go well.
Phineas had spent the evening circulating through the room. He had spoken with Christianna at intervals, and he knew that even though she was trying to be a polite gentlewoman, every time Percy veered away from her so he could talk with another young lady, she felt the loss keenly. Her eyebrow would twitch, and while she stayed silent on the matter, he’d been moved to act.
If only I could convince Percy that in slighting Lady Christianna, it is he who is missing out….
But those sorts of thoughts were all for nought as Percy had clearly made up his mind. He had determined that these last few days, before he was set to be married, he was going to live them to the fullest.
I will not allow Lady Christianna to suffer just because Percival cannot see the good fortune he has at entering into a marriage contract with someone of her calibre.
As Phineas stalked out of the study and went back into the parlour, his resolve hardened.
I will do whatever I can to please Lady Christianna, as she deserves to have her share of happiness, too.
His eyes drifted around the room until he found her standing near the window, looking out onto the grounds. She was all alone, and even though the rest of the guests were milling about her, it struck him that she was lost in her own silent reverie.
“Lady Christianna?” he said quietly as he joined her there. “Do you mind if I interrupt?”
“Hello,” she cooed happily. “I was just thinking about you.”
“You were?”
“I was wondering about the….” And their conversation was off and running once more. Just like that, the easy rapport that had existed between them from the start re-established itself, and as Phineas listened to Christianna speak eloquently about her thoughts on the healing powers of water, he admired her greatly.
Chapter 7
“Must we carry on like this every night?” Christianna let the gripe escape her lips before she could stop herself. Bianca was at her side, as they both walked slowly down the staircase and headed toward the parlour. She snickered softly.
“You make it sound as though the dowager duchess is making you do something unseemly,” she replied. “We are just going downstairs to join in the card party. Must you look so sour?”
Christianna descended the last step, then turned to look at her friend. “I hate to be so contrary, but I think we might be overdoing it. Our guests do not need to be entertained every minute of every day.”
Bianca shook her head, disagreeing promptly. “I happen to think what the dowager duchess has arranged is quite grand,” she said as she gave a lofty sigh. “I hope when I finally get married, someone will take such care to ensure my happiness.”
“I know that much of this is being done for my benefit,” Christianna conceded, “But I did not ask for all this.” She gestured toward the nice evening dresses they were wearing. “I only wished to get married. I did not think we would have soirees and fetes every night for nearly a month beforehand.”
“You are exaggerating, dear,” Bianca said as she fussed with the dainty white baby’s breath that the maid had tucked into her loose, cocoa-brown curls. “I only arrived a few days ago, and we are but eleven days from the wedding.” She reached out and grabbed Christianna’s hand. “And is it not pleasant to be surrounded by all your loved ones?”
“It is nice to have my friends about, but I am exhausted,” Christianna confessed. “I want nothing more than to retreat to the library and….”
Bianca giggled. “You will have plenty of time for your books later. For now, you should be enjoying yourself and spending time with that gorgeous fiancé of yours.” She stood on her tiptoes and craned her neck as she looked down the hall. “Do you think the duke will ask you to partner him for a game of Whist?”
“I had not considered the possibility,” Christianna admitted.
“Well, come then,” Bianca said as she nodded toward the parlour. “If he does wish to partner with you, let us not keep him waiting.”
Christianna entered the parlour and was greeted by the sights and sounds of revellers who were already greatly enjoying themselves. The card party was already in full swing as there was a large, oval-shaped table set up near the middle of the room. It seemed a game of Commerce was already being played at that station.
In each of the four corners of the room, there were smaller, rectangular tables. She could not see clearly from her spot, but it looked as though the people sitting together there were playing a variety of card games. Another table, this one long and rectangular, was positioned near the window.
A group of gentlemen were very obviously playing Hazard, and the duke stood at the head of the table, with Miss MacArthur on one side and Lady Constance on the other.
So much for playing a game of Whist together.
