The study. Later, when no one was watching, she wanted to look around here. For now, she paused, as if anxious. Maybe the right attitude was anxiety at being in a closed room with a man, but by the end of the pilot they’d be allies. Instead, her delay was intended to be because of grief over Lord Wight’s death.
Cousin Colin watched her carefully as he closed the door.
“You will not continue on this way, Miss Wight.” Colin poured a drink, one of the several amber-colored liquids on the bar tray. “I have no interest in being trapped at a country estate this often.”
“You don’t need to be,” Addie said, as she always did. “I have a staff, and I can handle my accounts and—”
“And you are not going to be unsupervised, ruining my reputation.” Colin scowled at her. “I gave Lord Wight my word to see to your well-being.”
“I feel quite settled, Colin, and your reputation suffers more from your inability to keep your trousers fastened.” Addie poured herself a drink, though she was still not convinced that she liked the taste of the stuff.
Her frown was easy, as the brown liquid was flat cola… ugh. Not even diet cola.
Colin pinched the space between his eyes. “I am not the villain you think, Addie. As you seem determined to be gauche, I will add that you have an estate, accounts, and you are reasonably attractive. Ensnaring another man ought to be simple.”
Addie made an indelicate sound and took a sip of the liquid that every man seemed to find delectable. “I have no need ofanyman.”
“When I accepted this request, it was with the understanding that I would see to making sure that no reprobates would trap you.”
“Men like you.” Addie started pacing the study.
“There will be a ball in town next week. I have spoken to associates, and you will be dressed in the latest Parisian fashion—”
“Parisian, cousin?” Addie teased. It was praise, indeed, to suggest she was lovely enough to wear the more scandalous dress options.
“The seamstress will be here momentarily.” Colin watched Addie as if she might flee.
“Here? Now?”
“Indeed. Within the next month, you will be entertaining offers of matrimony. Your estates and accounts may not be accessible to your future husband, but I am permitted to offer an enticing dowry. I have added a figure from my own accounts as well.” Colin stared at her. “Perhaps the joys of the marriage bed will ease your… unpleasant temperament.”
Addie stared at him, mouth gaping in the least ladylike expression she thought she might have ever had. “What sort of woman do you think I am to address me in that manner?”
“I suspect you are a woman who will appreciate blunt speech. Perhaps that was the mistake I made previously, treating you like a proper lady.” Colin finished his drink. “You have one month to select your future husband… or I will.”
“Colin.”
He paused.
“You realize that my late husband and I…”
“That the marital partner who preferred men lies moldering in his grave? I do.” Colin shook his head. “I may enjoy my drink, and women, but I’m not addled.”
Addie’seyes teared up. “So I’m just to lie with a man as if…” She stopped herself, hands on hips. “Wouldyoulie with a man even though it is abhorrent to you?”
Colin walked away.
And Addie was left alone onstage with tears gleaming in her eyes.
The stage required her to emote nuances and details—like the fact that the late Lord Wight was gay and so her first marriage was a sham that enabled them both to pass as straight in a world that was not welcoming to their true selves. Lady Adelaine Wight was through pretending, and by the end of the pilot her cousin would agree to help her—for a fee, of course.
Emoting her distaste for Cousin Colin was easier than anticipated. Philip was a jerk. She’d figured that out after three dates in real life. In the books, Colin was reformed. In the pilot, they became uneasy allies, but her distaste for Philip had her questioning her ability to pull off that particular storyline. It would be a true test of her talent to pretend to like the man who, in real life, simply could not accept her decision to stop dating him. He was an entitled ass, which would make her character’s emotions in the initial episodes a little easier on her.
Addie glanced to the side, where Philip stood glaring at her, before looking over at the producer.
“Thank you, Adelaine and Philip.” Marcela Gibson came forward to the stage. At her side were two women, but for a moment, all Addie could see was Toni. Here. Now.
Philip came forward again. “Miss Darbyshire. It is a pleasure.” He extended a hand toward Toni, who shook it briefly.
