of my tulips. They are quite sought after. I could call and bring you a miserly offering and perhaps enjoy a cup of tea. If you are uncomfortable accepting them I am sure we can find some way for you to help me in return, perhaps, even just a conversation. Having married such a brilliant man, you must be quite the conversationalist. I can’t imagine anything more delightful than discussing the world with a fair creature of such brilliant temperance.”
What had the man just said? Brilliant temperance? She had never heard such a phrase. Marguerite was not sure if it was her own lack of knowledge or Mr. Huismans’ lack of English. She tucked it away to ask Tristan about later. She smiled back politely. “That would be lovely, but –.” She was on the point of refusing when she remembered Tristan’s interest in the man. “I am not sure when I am free, perhaps we can discuss it at a later time.”
“That would be lovely.” His hand was back. “May I make a morning call sometime this week? I will –.”
“Really, Anton,” Minerva Harburton addressed Husimans by his Christian name, “it is most irregular of you to invite me to play and then to leave me with only my son and his friend for company. Won’t you join us? Mr. Bridges has stated that he needs to leave and it will leave us short-handed. So, you must come and play.” Lady Harburton turned to Marguerite who she had ignored to this point, “Although perhaps you would care to play? Do you enjoy a challenging game of whist? It would even the tables.”
“I am really not much for cards.”
“I did not think so. Your strategy is rather obvious.” Lady Harburton glanced at Marguerite’s hand, which still lay next to Huismans’. “Tristan, your wife says she doesn’t care for games of chance. Would you like to play?”
Marguerite swallowed a gasp. Since when had Tristan been of such intimate terms with Lady Harburton? Ah, his shoulders had stiffened, he was not comfortable with the familiarity either. He turned and took in the situation behind him. His gaze also fastened on the hands, side by side, on the couch.
“Actually, Lady Harburton,” he stressed the formality, “I was just thinking how much I enjoyed competing with our dear friend Huismans. Perhaps he would join me and the other gentlemen and you ladies could have a chance to get better acquainted. Wouldn’t you enjoy that, Marguerite?”
She had not seen that coming. What was he up to? “Yes, that would be lovely. I am sure you would not mind if I furthered my friendship with Lady Harburton.” Marguerite looked at Huismans.
He nodded his agreement, although with little show of pleasure. The men departed to make up their game. Simon and Langdon did not look disappointed when Lady Harburton failed to rejoin them.
“I know what you’re trying to do,” Lady Harburton hissed with a smile.
“Do forgive me, but I do not know to what you refer.” Marguerite looked pointedly ahead. Lady Harburton had replaced Huismans on the settee.
“Of course you do. I told your sister once that it was always the innocent looking ones who are sly. I was referring to your understandable pursuit of my dear Simon. But, now I see you have bigger fish to fry.”
“I really do not know what you are speaking of and I never pursued –“
“It’s easy to pretend otherwise now, when you think you’ve hooked yourself a bigger fish, but I saw you chase him around your sister’s party. Don’t think I didn’t notice.”
Marguerite was not sure that there had been any pursuit, and if there had it certainly had not been on her part, but it seemed pointless to argue. She shrugged. “Regardless, I do not understand what that has to do with the present.”
“Don’t play coy with me. It’s clear that you are after Huismans. I know how the games are played.”
“I assure you nothing could be further from the truth. We were merely talking about pretty things and flowers.” Marguerite looked over at the men who were engrossed in their cards. There was no salvation there.
“See you do know what I am talking about.” Lady Harburton nodded smugly.
“No, I do not.”
“Pretty things and flowers, you said it yourself.”
Marguerite was growing more lost by the moment. Was there nobody here who spoke a language she understood?
“Everybody always wants what’s mine.” Lady Harburton settled herself back. Her gaze turned to the men as well. Marguerite did not like the