Page 45 of Enemies with an Earl
Applause broke through Sam’s thoughts. “Exceptional acting, dear brother. Worthy of the stage at Drury Lane,” Lady Felicity said.
Sam’s gaze darted her way, and his eyes flared wide. Lady Felicity’s smile grew, so obvious in her glee at catching him staring at her brother. Heat slapped his cheeks, and he cursed himself. He removed all expression from his face. He didn’t bloody blush, damn it.
He strode to her with purposeand purposelyavoided looking in Bentley’s direction. It didn’t prevent Sam from being completely aware of Bentley’s stare boring into him, however.
He stopped before Lady Felicity. “His Grace requests your presence at the observation floor of the Corner Tower.”
Lady Felicity blinked up at him, her mouth parting in a small moue. Like she was surprised the Duke would ask for her. Sam wasn’t sure why it would be surprising. Ash was daft, yes, but he was clearly besotted with the woman.
“When did the Duke return? He was absent for dinner…”
“He returned some thirty minutes ago.” His gaze darted to the wringing hands in her lap. He almost laughed. She was nervous. Christ, these two. Apparently, love made people nitwits. These two were clearly in love and destined to spend the rest of their lives together. One had to be blind to miss it.
“Just enough time to wash and then he requested your presence,” Sam said gently.
Her frame eased, and her amber eyes, so similar to her brother’s, lit up, her entire demeanor brightening. Then her lip curled up slightly on one side, and her gaze turned devious. Sam took an abrupt step back. That look was terrifying. He was well aware this woman was a force to be reckoned with.
“Thank you, Mr. Thorne. I will go to the Duke immediately.” Her voice was as sweet as her honey-colored eyes.
He extended the note, still on edge with her behavior. “You’ll want to read that before you make your way to the tower.”
She nodded and started in the direction of the library doors. “Oh, and, Pandoraaa,” she sang cheerily over her shoulder. “I just had the most wonderful idea. Do you not think it would bemostbeneficial if you practiced your waltzing with Felix?” Thorne’s heart stalled. “As he is not familiar, it will help build your confidence dancing with strangers.”
Shite.He knew exactly where this was going. His gaze bounced from Lady Felicity to Lady Pandora and Bentley. Pandora spun, her broomstick nearly cracking into Bentley’s skull, but the man managed to jump out of the way just in time. Sam wouldn’t mind being knocked unconscious by a broomstick right now. Because—
“That’s a brilliant idea! We should go practice straight away!”
“I love your enthusiasm, darling. Oh, and how perfect with Mr. Thorne here. Mr. Thorne, you will play for them, yes?”
That. Becausethat. He glared at Lady Felicity, and her smile only widened.
“Splendid. Thank you for being so agreeable, Mr. Thorne.” She fluttered her eyes innocently and then left.
She was meddling. Sam had no idea how she even knew there was something to meddle in. Not that there was anything to meddle in. There was a complete absence of meddle-worthiness between him and Bentley. Obviously. He dragged a hand down his face.Bloody hell.
So, perhaps, a small lie. But playing piano for the man? That was personal for Sam. That’s where he’d dealt with the endless emotions suffocating him after his family’s betrayal. He’d worked out so much of his anger and bitterness on those ivory keys. Perhaps because it was something his father had never approved of. But it had been Sam’s outlet, allowing the agonizing despair to flow from him into the music instead. It had been how he coped. And in turn, it made Sam feel exposed, ripped wide open. That wasn’t something he ever wanted to feel around Bentley.
His gaze slowly swept up Bentley’s form, and he hated that he knew what that man looked like underneath those layers, especially with the man flushed from exertion. It was too close to—no, not thinking those thoughts. His eyes finally met Bentley’s amber irises that were guarded, closed off. Apparently, they were both wary of spending time together.
Lady Pandora tugged on Bentley’s hand, and his attention fell to the young blonde woman. “Come on, Lord Bentley. You will waltz with me, won’t you?” She smiled up at him, blue eyes brimming with hope and admiration.
Bentley’s lips slipped into a soft smile, his body relaxing, everything about him from his gaze to his stance becomingfriendly. Something Sam had never experienced. It was only ever loathing or lust with him.
“Felix, please, Pandora,” Bentley said. “No formalities with friends, yes?”
Pandora nodded and bounced on her toes. “No formalities,” she agreed. “And friends help each other waltz.” She shot Bentley a cheeky smile.
Bentley nodded solemnly. “Most definitely. That is right up there with fencing matches and playing snapdragon.”
“Perfect!” Pandora bounded toward the library doors. “Make haste, gentlemen!” She spun in the doorway, and gripped the sides of her skirts, lowering into a curtsy. “We mustdance,” she said with great bravado.
Thorne’s lips twitched, and he followed Lord Bentley out of the library.
He wasnotlooking forward to this. But at least he had a nice view of the man’s arse while they journeyed to the ballroom.
Damn the man. He had a bloody nice arse.
24
