But talking with Claire had made him feel a little better. Jonathan liked picturing the two of them—the woman he loved and the father he’d never had—together, on a fine spring day in Mr. Lysons’s favorite place. “I’m so pleased he got the chance to meet you, Claire.”
As soon as the words left his mouth, he threw her an uneasy look, for he hadn’t meant them to sound so heartfelt.
Had he crossed the bounds of friendship already? Were things spoiled between them? She gazed back at him warily, perhaps asking herself the same questions.
They were saved from the awkward moment by a piercing laugh. Heads whipped round, till most everyone was staring at Elizabeth’s friend, Miss Harris, who, unaware, continued her fit of hilarity. When Jonathan looked for the identity of her amusing companion, he was shocked to recognize Milstead. The young chub was stretched out by her side and flirting outrageously.
If Claire felt equal shock, she had more success hiding it. The only visible change was a slight compression of her lips.
What did that signify? Jonathan was wild to unravel the mystery. Had he witnessed a proposal during the sleigh ride? Or something else entirely?
Either way, Milstead was a bounder to flirt with Miss Harris after his marked attentions to Claire—especially in light of the smug glances he aimed toward his former object. Clearly he was hoping to make Claire jealous.
But she refused to take the bait. Jonathan could not but admire such dignified restraint. His pride in her was nearly as fierce as his desire to learn what had happened on that sleigh.
Miss Harris must have realized she was making a spectacle of herself, for she finally checked her laugh—if not her complicity. It seemed she had no thought of discouraging Milstead’s improprieties; she was far too busy making gleefully scandalized faces at everybody else.
And the attention seemed only to embolden Milstead. A sneer marring his boyish good looks, he addressed Miss Harris at a rather unnecessary volume. “Well, madam, shall we make ourselves a tour of the villa?”
Noah’s eyes blazed in defense of his sister’s honor. “Now wait a minute, Milstead. We’re all meant to go about the place together with Mr. Hawkins. It would be ill-mannered of you to break up the party.”
Milstead turned to Claire. “Oh, but surely our hostess can spare just Miss Harris and me?” he said with polite venom. “For the two of us wish to walk on our own.”
A corner of Claire’s mouth twitched. “If Mr. Hawkins has no objection.”
Mr. Hawkins replied that he had none, provided the unchaperoned explorers took care.
Silence reigned as a leisurely Milstead climbed to his feet, straightened his clothing, and offered Miss Harris his arm. The young lady accepted it, visibly vibrating with excitement, and ran away with her scoundrel.
Captain Talbot broke the silence. “As it happens, Lady Elizabeth and I were also contemplating a solitary ramble.” He looked to Elizabeth. “Were we not?”
She glanced from his beseeching face to Claire’s, which was starting to turn red.
“Only if my sister truly doesn’t mind,” Elizabeth said, sounding guilty—for it was plain that her sister minded very much.
Jonathan had seen Claire lose her temper a handful of times. It took a lot to overset her, but once she’d crossed the Rubicon, the resulting outburst could be every bit as violent and ungovernable as a Roman civil war.
Now he saw signs of danger, and he could tell by their panicked faces that her siblings saw them, too. As Elizabeth froze up and Noah looked to Jonathan, he found himself obliged to take charge.
“I beg your pardon?” Jonathan shouted out the front of the tent at nobody. “Lady Claire, I think the upper footman is needing you for something.”
Claire peered outside. “Where is he?”
“You don’t see him?” Jonathan rose and pulled her to her feet. “I’ll take you to him.”
With a hand on her shoulder, Jonathan steered her toward the tent’s opening. “Since the hour grows late,” he added, looking back to Noah, “perhaps we ought to have Mr. Hawkins begin with the six of you? We’ll join you momentarily.”
“Wait—” Claire began.
“Just over here,” Jonathan said firmly, propelling her onward.
Ten
JONATHAN DIDN’T let up until they’d got far enough from the tent to avoid prying ears. Then he relinquished her shoulder and blurted, “There was no footman.”
“I worked that out for myself,” she said dryly. And to his surprise, walked on without complaint.
He kept pace beside her, wondering what she could be thinking. “I’m sorry for the trick,” he ventured. “Only I thought you might be in need of a respite from your guests.”
