Low voices greeted me when I neared the antechamber. Hearing my name, I paused.
“Is there an understanding between you?” Mr. Northam asked.
“Whatever exists between us is none of your business,” Gregory replied.
“Would you care to wager on that?”
“Northam, leave her alone.”
“A little late for that, don’t you think, my lord?” Mr. Northam’s tone was derisive.
I bit my lip and closed my eyes. I didn’t want to be married to such a man. What was the good of protecting my heart when it would quickly fill with disdain? But marriage to him provided safety, protection, a chance to forget the past. I still needed that.
Setting aside my indecision, I strode through the door.
Gregory sat settled in a chair at the far end of the room, while Mr. Northam stood near him, his back to me.
Gregory noticed me first. He shot out of his chair, a mixture of surprise and admiration on his face. Then Mr. Northam turned and stepped in front of him, blocking him from view.
“Miss Brinton.”
“Mr. Northam.”
He had changed for dinner and looked more handsome than I had ever seen him. He was soon by my side, smelling of that expensive cologne. He took my hand in his. “You look lovely.”
The feeling behind the words seemed genuine. “Thank you.”
Glancing over Mr. Northam’s shoulder, my eyes locked with Gregory’s. And suddenly, more than anything in the world, I wanted it to be him holding my hand, telling me I looked beautiful.
My father and Lady Williams entered, followed by Sundson announcing dinner. Mr. Northam placed my hand on his arm. I had no choice but to allow him to lead me into the dining room. He took the chair next to mine and doted on me throughout the meal, offering me dishes, speaking with me almost to the point of ignoring everyone else. Gregory, meanwhile, said hardly a word.
As Lady Williams and I made our way to the drawing room afterward, she said, “Well, my dear. You’ve certainly made quite an impression on my nephew. I’ve never seen him so attentive.”
“To be honest, it unsettles me.”
Lady Williams laughed quietly. “I have been impressed with your intelligence this week. I’m glad to see it extends into the realm of men.”
Between Edward, Gregory, and Mr. Northam, it didn’t seem to even exist. “I’m afraid my intelligence doesn’t extend too far into that realm.”
She smiled knowingly. “Don’t underestimate yourself, dear.”
That certainly wasn’t a problem. What I had done was overestimate myself. I had overestimated my ability to remain aloof. I had overestimated my desire in securing the man I’d thought I’d wanted. The only thing I had underestimated was how wrong I always seemed to be.
It didn’t take long for the gentlemen to join us. My father’s eyes focused on me briefly when he entered, something of interest and amusement in them. Gregory headed straight for the window. Mr. Northam approached me. “Should we play cards this evening?”
The suggestion was a welcome diversion from the music that had been requested so often. I immediately agreed. “Lord Williams, will you join us?’
“Oh, Williams never plays cards,” Mr. Northam remarked disdainfully.
That wasn’t true. Gregory had played cards with Daniel at my own house.
I was about to say as much, but Mr. Northam continued, “Besides, we already have four players.” Casting one last look at Gregory standing alone at the side of the room, I took the seat between Mr. Northam and my father.
Halfway through our game, Gregory had the folding doors between the drawing room and the music room opened and began playing the piano. The first song was a plaintive one that had Lady Williams lifting her eyebrows and glancing at him. But, as my father played the last trick and won the game, Gregory began a new song. It took only a few notes to identify the music as the piece I’d played at the Hickmores’.
The vein in Mr. Northam’s neck stood out. “Shall we play another round?” His light tone did not quite disguise the clenching of his teeth.
It was something to do with the song. But whatever battle was raging between these two men, I wanted no part in it. It seemed too dangerous a place to be.
I stood. “Thank you, Mr. Northam, but I’d rather not. As you have witnessed, I am not much of a card player. Perhaps his lordship will take my place.”
Moving to a chair in the corner of the room, I picked up the book lying on the table. Once I was settled, I opened it