Through the village grapevine, she’d learned that Conrad had leased a manor not far from the spa. She didn’t know his intentions, and she told herself she didn’t care.
“You are awfully quiet, Gigi.” James’s voice cut through her thoughts. “What mischief are you plotting, I wonder?”
She started, realizing that all eyes were upon her.
“I’m not plotting,” she said hastily. “Nor am I involved in any mischief whatsoever.”
James arched his brows. Growing up, she’d found him the most intimidating of her brothers, not only because of their age difference but also because he was the most proper…and perceptive.
“Me thinks our sister doth protest too much,” he drawled.
Gigi fought her rising blush. “I am not protesting. I haven’t been up to any trouble.”
“Stop teasing her, James.”
Surprisingly, it was Owen who came to her rescue. While he had apologized to Ethan and patched things up, Gigi felt his residual brooding over the matter. Ethan, on the other hand, was too busy flirting with his wife to be grumpy. His dark head bent, he murmured something for Xenia’s ears only. She, in turn, gazed at him as if he’d hung the stars in the sky for her. It was clear that the rest of the world had ceased to exist for them.
It was like that with Conrad in the caldarium. For a little while, he was different. Then he had to ruin everything by reverting to his boorish self.
“It was an honest question.” James rotated his cup a precise quarter-turn in the saucer. “By ‘mischief,’ I was referring to our Gigi’s ‘job’ at the infamous bath.”
Oh, right. He’s talking about the spa. He doesn’t suspect my, ahem, other activities.
Sensing an opportunity, Gigi decided to take it.
“Miss Letty and I were making excellent progress,” she said brightly.
James took the bait. “Were?”
She gave him an innocent look. “Until Ethan barred me from going there.”
“Why would he do that?”
James addressed the question to Ethan, who was too occupied with Xenia to take notice.
“Will this newlywed phase never end?” Casting his gaze heavenward, James cleared his throat loudly. “Ethan, old boy, did you see the pig that flew by?”
Ethan tore his gaze from Xenia.
“Pardon?” His indigo eyes were distracted. “Something flew by?”
“Never mind. I was just trying to get your attention,” James said. “Given my charming competition, that is a Herculean task.”
Xenia blushed, looking charming indeed in her red wool walking dress, which matched her fiery curls. Looking rather smug, Ethan picked up Xenia’s hand and placed a light kiss on her knuckles.
“Why don’t you stop flirting with my wife and tell me what you want?” he said mildly.
“I was asking why you would prevent Gigi from going to the spa,” James replied.
Ethan’s expression darkened. “Because I am her older brother and she is my responsibility, that’s why.” He lowered his voice. “And I will not allow some scoundrel to dally with her.”
“Scoundrel?” James’s urbane façade vanished in a blink. “What’s this about, Gigi?”
You opened this Pandora’s box for a reason. Make it worth it.
“It was a misunderstanding,” Gigi said quickly. “A fellow named Mr. Godwin was visiting Miss Letty’s spa, and there was an accident. He caught me as I was about to fall into the pool. Xenia saw us at an inopportune moment, but nothing happened.”
She turned pleading eyes to her sister-in-law. “Please, Xenia, won’t you vouch for me? You know how much Miss Letty and her spa mean to me. In this final stretch before the reopening gala, she needs my help more than ever.”
