“Even better.”
My breakfast was growing cold, but I didn’t care. My stomach was in knots. Had Miles made it his objective to turn everyone in his life against me? Anger surged under my skin. I felt near to bursting. I clamped my mouth shut, glowering at the table. There was nothing I could say would make Anne see sense. Miles had captured her loyalty, just as he had my entire family’s. He created a pedestal for himself by standing on the backs of the people he diminished. He had been standing on me for far too long. Anne would be next if she wasn’t careful.
The rest of the meal passed in tense silence, and for once I was grateful to hear Lady Tottenham’s voice.
“Ladies and gentlemen, good morning.” She stood at the foot of the long table, circling to look at each of her guests. “We will now gather in the Hexagon room for a bit of entertainment.”
I exchanged a glance with Anne. She seemed to remember that she was angry with me, snapping her gaze away from mine. She stood quickly, rushing off to stand near Mrs. Fitzgibbon. I remained in my chair. I couldn’t look away from her, even as she made her swift escape from me. I studied the sheen on her curls, her dark, fierce eyes, her tall, curved figure. I tore my gaze away. How had I gone from vexation to admiration in seconds? It was rather pathetic.
I watched as Miss Morton whispered in Miss Rowley’s ear. They both laughed, slipping past Anne and pulling Mrs. Fitzgibbon along with them.
Anne remained behind, snubbed by all three women. They had seen what had happened in the parlor the night before, and I suspected the entire party would know about it soon enough.
Lord Kirkham weaved through the crowd at the door, stopping directly beside Anne. His eyes traced her figure from behind, the action so obvious that I could see it from across the room. Admittedly, I had been guilty of a similar thing, but at least I was discreet.
The moment she noticed him, his eyes snapped up to her face. He smiled with those chipped teeth. The panic in her features was obvious as he extended his arm.
I sighed. She had given me no reason to rescue her, but a true gentleman didn’t need a reason.
I strode across the room, touching Anne’s shoulder just as she was about to take Lord Kirkham’s arm. “My lady, you promised to finish telling me the riveting story you started at our table.”
Her brow twitched in confusion.
I extended my arm at her opposite side, giving an obvious nod toward it. “I would be delighted if you would walk with me to the hexagon room so we may finish our conversation.”
Lord Kirkham’s nostrils flared. He seemed the sort of man to make enemies at every turn, but seeing Anne’s discomfort had taken away any of my concern on the matter of potentially having my teeth knocked out.
Anne’s eyes narrowed with suspicion, but this time, I seemed to be the better option. She took my arm with a light touch, and I led her into the corridor, leaving Lord Kirkham stewing in our wake.
We walked in silence for several seconds. Finally, she glanced up at me. “Thank you.” The word sounded painful, like the entirety of her pride had just been laid on a sacrificial alter.
I raised my eyebrows. “Are you admitting that you prefer my company over his?”
“You already know that I chose to sit by you at breakfast in order to avoid him.”
I grinned. “I wanted to hear you admit it again.”
She sighed. “It’s only because I know you aren’t trying to woo or court me.” She paused. “Especially now that you know of my attachment to Miles.”
My jaw tightened involuntarily. What should her attachment to Miles have to do with anything? The moment we reached the hexagon room on the second floor, she released my arm.
The room lived up to its name. Six walls stretched up to a lofty ceiling, at the center of which was a large window facing the sky. The room had been cleared of all furnishings besides a sofa and a circle of brown velvet chairs.
“Another game?” I whispered, casting a sideways glance at Anne.
She grimaced, her hazel eyes connecting with mine. “It would appear so.”
I counted the chairs in front of us. Thirteen. That was enough for all but one guest.
How many games would be played at this house party? To play games after dinner in the evening was one thing, but to arrange morning games and midnight games was excessive. It was fitting, I supposed. Lady Tottenham’s entire being was nothing if not excessive. Her fashion, her wealth, her furnishings, her food, her personality. I should have known what I was agreeing to when I accepted her invitation.
Once all the guests had arrived in the hexagon room, Lady Tottenham moved to stand at the head of the circle of chairs.
“My dear friends, welcome to the hexagon room. This has long been one of my favorite rooms of the house. It usually serves as a ballroom, but in this case, it will serve as a game room.” She gestured at the walls. “You will see many portraits of my late husband’s ancestors, to whom I owe my deepest gratitude and respect. You will also see many of my husband’s hunting prizes.”
Glass cases with small, stuffed creatures of all kinds lined one of the six walls. On another, nine large animal heads were mounted on the wall. I made eye contact with a deer.
“My husband had a deep love for games, prizes, and tests,” Lady Tottenham continued. “He found enjoyment in the way they challenged his mind and bolstered his spirits.” She gave a wistful smile as she gazed at the largest portrait above the fireplace.
