Five
Harsh whispersoutside Colin’s study door shattered his concentration, and he paused in the middle of moving his rook. When he met his brother’s gaze across the chessboard, James’s eyes glimmered with anticipated victory. Colin replaced the Jasperware porcelain piece and leaned back to study the board once more. James growled softly, but it was all in good fun.
Both possessed competitive natures, which had served them well over the years. Their desires to best each other had driven them to earn the highest marks at Eton and become two of the best cricket players the school had ever seen—much to their father’s pleasure. The rivalry continued when they were admitted into Oxford, and it hadn’t lessened any over the subsequent years.
“Are you insane?” a male voice blurted outside the door. Someone shushed him, but he paid no heed to the warning. “Do you want to get me turned out? You tell him.”
“Icanna tell him.” A thread of hysteria stitched the young woman’s words together, and her voice rang with familiarity. “It isna proper.”
His brother’s dark brows rose high on his forehead. “Is that Audrey’s maid?”
“Rhona, present yourself,” Colin called out to the lady’s maid, “and bring your cohort. You’ve nothing to fear.”
“Perhapsyoudon’t bite,” James said with a smirk, “but Audrey does. They should fear her.”
He silenced his brother with a glower as Michael—a newer footman who was barely fifteen—shuffled through the door with the Scottish maid slinking in behind him. Neither young servant could meet Colin’s gaze and instead, watched their feet.
Colin cleared his throat.
Rhona peeked around the footman, and a scarlet blush engulfed her face. It didn’t require much imagination to ascertain Colin’s message to Audrey had been less than well received. And his sister-in-law’s corresponding message to him probably involved a good dose of profanity, which would account for the maid’s flustered appearance.
In an attempt to ease the girl’s worries, he smiled. The servants couldn’t be held accountable for Audrey’s abrasive manners and salty language. “Am I to assume Lady Blackwood is indisposed and unable to meet this morning prior to the arrival of the new governess?”
“Er... Aye, milaird.” Rhona shoved a hunk of loose auburn hair beneath the mobcap Audrey insisted the girl wear. “Something to that effect,” she mumbled under her breath.
James chuckled.
Colin thanked and dismissed the servants before returning to the chess match as if there hadn’t been an interruption. He refused to react to Audrey’s attempt to rile him. She took too much pleasure in the act. His brother followed his lead and held his tongue.
Discovering James’s knight was left unprotected, he captured it. James responded by eliminating Colin’s rook.
“Damnation,” Colin muttered and leaned closer to study the board. A soft clearing of a throat drew his attention toward the doorway where the butler stood framed in the threshold. Bickley’s posture was stiff enough to make a statue envious.
“Has Miss Halliday arrived?” Colin was out of his seat and crossing the room before the manservant could answer.
“Yes, milord.” Bickley moved aside so Colin could pass. “I’ve seen her settled as you requested,” he called out as Colin set a course for the drawing room.
“Very good.” He stalked through the stone corridor, his determined steps echoing as he went.
“You seem eager.” His brother’s voice behind him startled him. “She must be pleasing to the eye.”
Colin stopped and turned to face James with the most neutral expression he could muster. Miss Halliday wasbeautiful, but her appearance did not account for his eagerness—at least not entirely. He was more anxious to see to his family’s security, which hinged on the new governess tendering her resignation as soon as possible. Of course, that wouldn’t come before she assumed her duties, so he wanted to get on with matters.
“Were you planning to accompany me?” he asked his brother. “We are discussing expectations. I am certain you would find it dull.”
“I sense you would rather I not.” James’s eyes sparked with interest. “I must admit to being doubly curious about Miss Halliday now.”
Upon his return from Danby Castle, Colin had confided in James about the agreement with the duke. His brother had demanded to know what was wrong with Miss Halliday, and even though Colin had posed the same question to Danby, James’s skepticism had riled him. Colin had been quick to defend the new governess. Perhaps too quick, which was likely the reason his brother insisted on following him now.
Colin shrugged. “Do as you wish, but don’t complain to me if you grow bored.”
“Oh, I am certain I will find this encounter very entertaining,” James said with a sly smile.
“Splendid.” Colin ground his teeth as he continued toward the drawing room. Outside the door, he drew his brother to a halt. James had a charm about him that often left ladies clamoring for his attention, and the thought of Miss Halliday falling under his brother’s spell left a bitter taste at the back of his throat.
“To be perfectly clear,” he whispered, “you need to keep your hands to yourself.”
James’s grin widened. “Why? Do you fancy the lady for yourself?”
