two men again on my own. Mr. Northam had control of my mind, while Gregory had control of my heart. Which one should I trust? “Yes, thank you, I would like that very much.”
“It is a shame your short stay should be marred by such gloomy weather.” Lady Williams turned back to the window.
“The river did look lovely this morning with the rain falling on it.”
“That is quite a beautiful sight, isn’t it?” She glanced at me.
I nodded. “There is something majestic about the rain.”
Lady Williams smiled. “My dear, you are quite correct. I believe my son was very wise—”
Quick, heavy steps sounded in the hall. I froze. When there was no doubt they were headed toward us, I fled across the room, pausing only when I was safe near the window, my body mostly hidden from the doorway by a surprised Lady Williams.
Gregory stormed into the room, his boots smacking against the floor in an angry mutter. Lady Williams turned her astonished face from me to her son. “Why, Gregory, whatever is—” She cut herself off when Mr. Northam entered. “Ahh,” she murmured quietly.
“My dear aunt, how are you on this rainy morning?” Mr. Northam walked to her and bent slightly to kiss her hand. His eyes flitted to me and he smirked.
“Very well, thank you, my dear Fredrick,” Lady Williams responded. “And what an unexpected surprise this visit is. We were just about to sit to breakfast. Won’t you join us?”
How could she be so calm? Of course, she could not realize the predicament caused by inviting her nephew to eat with us. Although with how she’d reacted to Mr. Lundall’s arrival, it may not have made a difference.
My attention darted to Gregory. His expression was hard, his jaw muscle jumping. He stood at the head of the table, his hands gripping the back of his chair, his knuckles white. His gaze turned to me as though he felt me watching him.
I glanced away and focused back on Lady Williams, refusing to look at anyone else, hoping her steady character would still the agitation within me. My father appeared. Lady Williams glanced at her son, but his refusal to make introductions was obvious in his blackened expression.
She sighed. “Mr. Brinton, allow me to introduce my nephew, Mr. Fredrick Northam.” My father’s brows rose. “Fredrick, this is Mr. Brinton. And perhaps you have not yet met his daughter, Miss Brinton?”
Mr. Northam eyed me with a meaningful grin. “Oh, yes, I am already acquainted with Miss Brinton, thank you, Aunt.” Embarrassed at his open flirtation, my face heated despite my struggle against it. He turned to my father and bowed. “It is a great pleasure to meet you, sir.”
My father returned the bow, but his lips drew into a thin line. His gaze turned to me and I wondered if the panic I felt was visible in my expression. Clenching my jaw, I forced a smile. I would have to get through this, though at the moment I coveted the convenient ability of some women to faint at will.
Lady Williams moved to the table. Forcing my feet forward, I mimicked her actions of scooting the chair out and sitting, even claiming some toast though I had no wish to eat. I spent a great deal of attention on buttering it.
“Of course,” Mr. Northam said, his tone cutting through my concentration, “your daughter and I became acquainted at a recent house gathering.” He raised his glass in my direction.
My gaze flew to Gregory. His jaw muscle jumped, though he didn’t look up from his plate. I looked back to Mr. Northam. He continued relaying different events of our time together at the Hickmores’.
My father paid close attention to his every word. What did he think of Mr. Northam now that they had actually met?
As breakfast drew to a close and we stood, a small smile curved Mr. Northam’s lips. “Miss Brinton, perhaps now I could have that song?”
I bit my lip, waiting, but Gregory said nothing. He wasn’t going to rescue me.
Mr. Northam offered me his arm.
This was the way it was supposed to be. It was always supposed to be me and Mr. Northam.
And yet, I couldn’t quite squelch the hope that things would be different.
Thirty-Two
A few hours later, I peeked into the study. Gregory sat behind a desk covered in neat stacks of paper, a ledger open in front of him. Perhaps if I could just have a moment alone with him, I could understand what future would be