When he failed to move any faster, she leaned up to hiss in his ear. “If we’re discovered, your mother will insist you do the honorable thing and offer for me.”
His pace increased exponentially, until they were very nearly trotting. The relief she felt was instantaneous, as was her annoyance at the obvious insult.
“Not that I’d have you,” she huffed.
“Here we are.” He pulled her into his study where several candles were already—or possibly still—glowing. He shut and locked the door behind them.
“We’re safe enough now, I think,” he said, no longer whispering.
“Hush, what if someone should hear you?”
“There’s no one close enough to hear anything,” he assured her.
“You can’t possibly know that. People are always skulking about at house parties.” She tossed her arms up. “Look at us.”
Unconcerned, he walked over to lean a hip against the enormous oak desk. “Yes, and as it’s my house, I’m perfectly aware of where each and every one of them is skulking about.”
“That’s absurd, you can’t possibly—”
“Mr. Dooley is passed out drunk in the orangery,” he began, folding his arms across his chest. “The lonely Mrs. Dooley is consoling herself in the arms of Mr. Jaffrey. Mrs. Jaffrey, well aware of her husband’s roving ways, has taken her revenge upon him by slipping into Lord Habbot’s room. Lady Habbot isn’t in residence, of course, but her nephew Mr. West is busy entertaining the willing Mary—Mrs. Renwald’s lady’s maid—while Mrs. Renwald herself, is occupied in the stable with Mr. Bolerhack’s grooms. Mr. Renwald, blissfully unaware of his wife’s proclivities, is fast asleep—”
“I beg your pardon.” She just had to ask. “Did you…did you say grooms?”
“I did.” He grinned at her wickedly. “I did indeed.”
“But what…how…I…”
“Would you care for an explanation, imp? A description, perhaps?”
“No.” Good Lord. “Thank you. I’d rather you explain why you dragged me in here.”
“In a moment. Did you speak with Kate?”
Deciding she might as well make herself comfortable while she was being annoyed, she took a seat at a small settee in front of the fireplace. It might have made more sense to have chosen the chair in front of the desk, but she rather felt as if that position would have put her in the role of subordinate, and the man’s arrogance was intolerable as it was.
“I did speak with Kate,” she informed him stiffly. “And as it happens, you’ve made a fuss over nothing. She’s composing.”
“Composing,” he echoed.
“Yes, I assume you’ve heard of the phenomenon? Little dots on paper representing musical notes?”
“I’ve some grasp of the concept.” A line formed across his brow. “Why did she lie to me? And why did she act as a child sneaking treats when I asked her what she was about? For God’s sake, I’ve seen feral cats less skittish.”
“The fact that you’re frightening to children and small animals is hardly cause—”
“You gave your word, Mirabelle,” he reminded her in a cool tone.
“Oh, very well.” She leaned back against the cushions for a clearer view of his face. “She’s working on a symphony.”
“And…” he prompted when she said nothing more.
“And, what?” she asked. “She’s working on a symphony and has been for some time now. She’s excited and nervous, and she’s worried. It isn’t entirely acceptable for a young lady to pursue music as anything more substantial than a hobby. She’s concerned you won’t approve.”
“That’s absurd,” he snapped. “I can’t hum two notes without sending the dogs to barking. What business would I have instructing my sister on how to use her talent? What business has anyone, come to that? If someone’s said something to her—”
“You needn’t shout at me, Whit. I’m not arguing with you.”
He blinked. “You’re not, are you?”
“No. Unlike you, I’ve a lovely singing voice,” she informed him. “But my musical aptitude is nothing, less than nothing really, in comparison to Kate’s. I’m in full support of her endeavor. It won’t be easy for her, I suspect. The goal itself is a lofty one, and she’ll be subject to some criticism and censure once she obtains it.”
He settled his gaze on her, considering. “And you’re certain she’ll obtain it?”
“Of course,” she responded, returning the challenging stare. “Aren’t you?”
“Absolutely,” he said without hesitation. He rubbed the back of his hand against his chin. “Well, this is interesting.”
“I suppose, though not exactly shocking, is it? When one thinks about it, it was only a matter of time before Kate delved into—”
“I wasn’t referring to Kate—I’ll sort this out with her tomorrow—I was referring to us. We’re in agreement on something.”
“I…so we are.” And it felt, she suddenly realized, a bit odd. Uncomfortable, she rose and ran her hand down her skirts. “Well, stranger things have happened, I imagine.”