Mrs. Johnson endeavored to restart conversation, and my father and James rallied to the task. Even so, I heard Daniel ask, “How was the boat ride, my lord? I hope you heeded my warning and did not allow Margaret to row. I would hate for you to have suffered a drenching.”
Did Daniel know? Even if he didn’t, there was no reason for Lord Williams not to confess what had happened. This had to be one of the most humiliating dinners I had suffered through.
“No, your sister did not touch the oars while I was in the boat,” Lord Williams replied. I waited, but he failed to elaborate. The conversation turned to the remarkable weather we’d been enjoying.
Lord Williams hadn’t outed me. He’d respected my wishes that the incident remain undiscovered. And he had kept the secret without lying.
Why?
Alice was waiting for us when we retired to the drawing room. Catherine greeted her briefly before making her way to the piano. Mrs. Johnson ignored Alice completely and imprisoned my mother in conversation.
I sat next to Alice and answered her questions regarding the dinner with more excitement than I felt.
When the gentlemen entered, Catherine stood from the piano to greet them. I knew what she was about. By her position, she associated herself with music, yet in refraining from playing when the men entered she gave the pretense of modesty. She was practically begging someone to ask her to display her musical talents.
She wasn’t disappointed. James and Daniel made their way to me, but Lord Williams hesitated only a second before striding to Catherine.
“Do you play, Miss Johnson?”
“A little.”
“Perhaps you would do us the honor.”
She would. Catherine would never pass up an opportunity for display.
She lowered her gaze to the floor. To a man her maneuver might seem bashful, but I had studied the same arts she had and knew she was merely pretending. “I would not wish to displace Miss Brinton.”
I nearly snorted. She’d derive great pleasure in doing just that.
I waited to be addressed so that I might assure them of my disinterest in performing. But Lord Williams didn’t consult me. He didn’t even look my way. “I think you will find Miss Brinton is rather averse to the idea of playing before the present audience.”
“Really?” Catherine studied me as though trying to discern my true motives for passing on such an opportunity. “In that case, I would be happy to sing.”
Daniel let out a low snort of impatience. Before he could say something rude, I said, “Miss Johnson, we would be delighted if you would honor us with a song.” Better her than me.
Her eyes narrowed as though she thought I planned to undermine her. I responded with a genuine smile. Still looking distrustful, she sat at the piano.
She had improved since I had last heard her. Her fingers stumbled over a few notes, but she hid her mistakes well by singing over them. It was a decent performance, one that demanded praise.
Lord Williams stood next to her the entire time, his attention never wavering.
He was wearing the blue coat he had worn the previous evening; it accented his eyes wonderfully. Catherine’s gaze lingered when she looked up at him, and I wondered if she could fathom the strong shoulders and arms his coat concealed or if she would appreciate his even temper and thoughtfulness if she knew of them.
Of course she would. Any woman would. And given that he had not displayed the least inclination to bolt while she sang or even frowned in her direction, she might not understand the humiliation he was capable of inflicting.
“You seem somewhat excited, Miss Brinton,” James said, interrupting my musings. “Is everything all right?”
I glanced at him, startled. “You are mistaken. I am perfectly at ease.”
James tilted his head to the side. “Hm. Either you have acquired a rather nervous habit of twisting your hands since we were last together or your fingers are very anxious for their chance at the piano.”
Lord Williams glanced over at us. I stilled my hands. “Neither, I think.”
“Do you really intend not to perform at your own gathering?” James asked.
Daniel leaned in front of me. “You’ll have to excuse her, James. She had a rather traumatic experience last week and is too timid to play before the present company.”
“I am not timid,” I said.
“Of course not.” Daniel straightened with a smirk.
“I’m not,” I repeated.
Lord Williams and Catherine moved to the book of music and began discussing various pieces. Frustration welled within me. Though I had