of your time,” Benedict replied. “I simply wanted to ensure all is going well with Miss Barrington. You know I like to check in on new contracts sooner than this, but there was a bit of a … problem with another arrangement that needed sorting out.”
David snorted and rolled his eyes. “Problem. That’s an understatement. What Lady Bowery has is far more than a problem.”
“David,” Benedict snapped. “Let it go.””
Nick frowned, glancing between his two friends in bemusement. “What happened?”
“Aubrey’s newest keeper doesn’t know what she wants, that’s what happened,” David replied. “Tried him out for a week, ended the contract, met with me and decided I wasn’t good enough either.”
“In her defense, she’s gone back to Aubrey, for good this time,” Benedict said with a glare in David’s direction. “Which means it’s no longer any of your affair. I’ll find you another keeper. But we aren’t here to talk about you, difficult as that might be for you to imagine. Nick, how are things with Miss Barrington?”
Yet again, his mind was drawn in a direction he would rather avoid. He spent his solitary hours actively not thinking of her, and now Benedict was breaking his resolve.
“We are getting on well enough. I made certain we were seen walking in the park together last week, and I attended a dinner party a few nights ago where I was able to finesse the seating arrangements to my liking. Lewes wasn’t there, but word will reach him that I spent the entire evening dancing attention on Miss Barrington.”
“Gad, Nick,” David murmured. “Never thought you of all people would find yourself playing the affectionate suitor. It’s a wonder you haven’t gone mad by now.”
“You have no idea,” Nick grumbled, though he’d never admit it wasn’t the role he played that had him all in a tangle.
It was the woman who had hired him, damn her, with her soft skin and large eyes and irresistible lips.
“Nick is more than up to the task of seeing this through and finding satisfaction elsewhere,” Benedict declared as he reached into his breast pocket. “Speaking of which …”
He presented Nick with a bank draft, one with a larger number than any he’d received in a long time.
“That is only half of Miss Barrington’s initial payment,” Benedict added. “As agreed, I’ll keep the other half out of your reach for the time being.”
Nick’s mouth turned down at the evidence of how badly Calliope wanted Lewes. That reminder soured his stomach and made the bank draft in his hand feel like a hot coal. Swallowing past the bitter taste in his mouth, he tucked it into his own pocket.
“Thank you. While you are on the hunt for a new keeper for David, you may as well seek out one for me, as well. I anticipate Lewes will come up to scratch sooner rather than later. This should not take long.”
“I’d think you would hope for it to go on as long as possible,” David said. “If that bank draft is only half what the lady is paying, I’d be content to draw the matter out until Christmas.”
It was exactly what he ought to do, what he might have done if the lady in question were anyone other than Calliope.
Determined to change the subject and distract himself until the next time he was forced to come face to face with her, Nick cleared his throat.
“Have the two of you any plans for the rest of the afternoon? Uncle Paul is resting, and I have nothing to do at present.”
“We were actually on our way to Tattersall’s,” Benedict replied. “You’re welcome to come along.”
Nick jumped at the chance to be in company with anyone who was not his uncle or the current object of his lust. He was due for another outing with Calliope tomorrow afternoon, so he would spend every waking moment until then trying to pull himself together.
It would seem his very sanity depended on it.
What on Earth was I thinking?
The question echoed through Calliope’s mind as she shared a carriage with her sister, the man who was pretending to court her, and the one she wanted to marry. The air inside the vehicle seemed stifled, making her feel as if she might faint. Which was ridiculous. She was the twenty-two-year-old daughter of Viscount Barrington—known for her stoicism as well as her practicality. She was an heiress and the patroness of a foundling home .. not some wide-eyed chit fresh out of the schoolroom. She did not swoon.