“Where are we going?” she asked, breaking into his thoughts.
His irritation returned in a rush. She was like a little sister, forever clinging to him, delighting in every opportunity to provoke him. He was almost certain she pestered him precisely because she knew she could.
Lucas refused to give her the satisfaction. At least she had moved on from her earlier question.
“Iam going to speak with someone I have not seen in some time,” he said pointedly. “You,meanwhile, will find my mother—or another of your friends—and cease shadowing me.”
“You know I have no friends,” Catherine said without a trace of self-pity. “And Aunt Charlotte is nowhere to be found. Besides, I would much rather uncover why you are avoiding my—”
“Henry!” Lucas greeted his friend with exaggerated enthusiasm, cutting her off. Henry’s brows lifted, amused. “How have you been? Bath treated you well, I hope?”
“Well enough, I suppose,” Henry replied, his brown eyes glinting with humour. “Though I was not expecting such a reception upon my return. Have you missed me so dearly?”
“He only hopes to silence me,” Catherine interjected before Lucas could answer. She dipped a graceful curtsy. “I am Catherine Beaumont, Lucas’s cousin and ward. A pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
“Catherine,” Lucas sighed, “I am meant to conduct the introductions.”
She blinked at him innocently. “Were you? Well, do not let me stop you.”
“It is rather too late for that, I think,” Henry said, chuckling as he extended his hand. Catherine placed her gloved fingers in his, her brows lifting as he brushed a polite kiss across them. “Itis very good to meet you at last, Miss Beaumont. Lucas has told me much about you.”
“Has he now?” Catherine asked, tilting her head. “Curious. He has not made a single mention of you.”
“Perhaps because he did not think me worth mentioning,” Henry replied easily.
Catherine gave him a measured look, eyes sweeping him from head to toe. “I cannot imagine why not.”
Lucas blinked. Surely these two were not flirting—right there, before him?
Henry, to Lucas’s utter lack of surprise, flushed scarlet. His friend had never fared well when confronted with a lady’s attentions. Catherine’s delighted smile did not go unnoticed.
“Oh, forgive me,” Henry said hastily. “I have failed to introduce myself properly.”
“I believe Lucas claimed that task,” Catherine returned sweetly. “So no forgiveness is required. Lucas?”
Lucas wished fervently to be elsewhere. He swallowed a sigh. “Henry, allow me to introduce my cousin, Miss Catherine Beaumont. Catherine, this is my friend Henry, the Viscount Westbrook.”
“Now it isIwho am pleased to make your acquaintance, my lord,” Catherine said with a dazzling smile. “And I do hope it will not be our last.”
Henry’s lips parted—then closed—then parted again, though no sound emerged. Catherine giggled behind her hand.
Before he could recover, another gentleman approached, offering his hand and claiming Catherine for the next dance. She concealed her reluctance admirably before accepting.
“Please excuse me,” she murmured with practised grace—but her eyes lingered on Henry’s a fraction too long before she turned away.
Henry watched her go, clearly transfixed.
“You’re smitten,” Lucas observed.
“That I am,” Henry admitted without hesitation. “You neglected to tell me your cousin was such a radiant beauty—or that she possessed a tongue of silver when speaking to the opposite sex.”
“I did not think her beauty bore any mentioning to you in my letters,” Lucas told him. “And I am as surprised as you to witness her flirtation. She has never been so with anyone else, though she has ever been the sort to speak first and consider later.”
“Is that so?” Henry was still watching her as she danced, his expression softened. Catherine, caught once or twice glancing back in his direction, smiled each time she met his eyes.
“Oh, for goodness’ sake,” Lucas muttered. “She could at least attempt subtlety.”
“Her directness is quite refreshing,” said Henry with a faint smile. “After enduring so many nobles who cloak their meaning in flourishes and artifice, her honesty feels… quite the relief. I believe I shall ask her for a dance.”
