Page 64 of Hearts of Briarwall

But then, he’d felt that way about Catherine Bradshaw. Hadn’t he?

No. If he allowed himself to think on it, his weeks with Catherine dulled in comparison to the last several days with Lydia.

He frowned as the first course was served, remembering the excuse he’d used with Andrew, that Lydia had been “practicing” with him. Was that what he was? Practice for every woman who managed to turn his head before she attached herself to some titled buffoon who wouldn’t see past her dowry? What was this, 1810?

“Florrie told me you were a natural conversationalist.”

“Hm?” He looked up to find Violet watching him. “I beg your pardon. I’m not much for dinner company tonight, I’m afraid.”

“We shall see about that. Do you sing?”

“What?”

“Do you sing? Play an instrument?”

“Er, I sing, a little, but not—”

Violet began to laugh loudly, throwing her head back and shaking it to and fro. “Oh really, Mr. Hayes, you are too droll.”

“What are you on about over there?” Sir Lawrence asked.

Violet leaned forward. “Mr. Hayes has made the most entertaining suggestion.”

Andrew frowned. “He has?”

She turned. “Tell them, Spencer.” She waited a moment as Spencer, no doubt, became a quick shade of red, his mouth opening and shutting like a fish on the dock. “You are too modest,” she said, throwing him back into the water after she’d yanked him out. “I’ll tell them.” She turned to her audience as he waited to hear his idea. “We were discussing the music tonight, and he suggested we turn our entertainment into a musical match of sorts.”

“Hesuggested this, did he?” Andrew said, his eyebrow cocked.

“Well, perhaps I helped a little,” she said quite modestly, considering Spencer had no idea what she was talking about. “Wouldn’t it be fun to draw names, and whomever you are partnered with is your performance partner, musical or otherwise, for the evening? I happen to know that there is not a person in this room without a musical talent or ear.”

At this, Mrs. Piedmont smiled bashfully, once again crushing her flowers.

Violet continued as Spencer watched in awe of her audacity. “I told Mr. Hayes so, and he thought such a game would suit this unique gathering perfectly. What say you?”

Andrew cleared his throat. “I cannot claim any musical talent—”

Spencer opened his mouth to argue, but Andrew continued.

“—butI would gladly turn pages or whatever needed to be done on my partner’s behalf—if that is what you wish,Spencer? And Violet, of course?” The mirth in his eye told Spencer he’d read the woman well.

“What fun,” Lydia said, drawing Spencer’s eye. “I wish it, too.” She nodded encouragingly at Spencer, as if he needed reinforcement for his brilliancy.

After the topic veered off and the others were once more occupied, Spencer leaned over. “You, Miss Whittemore, are a liar.”

“I’m a strategist. And that”—she nodded toward Lydia—“is the liveliest I’ve seen her all evening.”

He couldn’t disagree, watching Lydia beam in his direction in anticipation of what was to come. Afraid to question Violet further, he gave her liberty to look smug. He could’ve been mistaken, but the Piedmonts’ presence had a subduing effect on Lydia, as if being her true self became an afterthought she only remembered with particular prodding.

He glanced at Andrew. Did her own brother not see it?

In the drawing room after dinner, Violet decided to pair one woman and one man, as that seemed a more even distribution of talent.

“Only the men’s names are in the dish,” Lydia said, taking the lead after consulting quietly with Violet. “Each woman here shall draw a name, then remove to a corner with her chosen partner to decide how you’ll perform together, followed by a brief practice.”

Spencer caught a glimmer of the excitement Lydia had shared the other night with the clock. Because Violet had suggested this game—orSpencerhad—Andrew could not censure Lydia for bringing something high-spirited to the evening yet again. Spencer felt a mixture of relief for her, something near burning jealousy for Sir Lawrence, and both hope and dread that he would be partnered with—

“Mr. Hayes,” Lydia said with delight. After all, she had no idea Sir Lawrence was courting her, and she and Spencer had said their apologies earlier for what had transpired that morning. She smiled brightly at him, but he could barely return it. He could not give her hope for anything more than friendship.

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