Billings was showing Beau into the library with a flourish, and Pip stood alone, where she had always been. Except with Theo.
But Theo was gone. And Pip had a sudden suspicion that Theo would be disappointed in her right now. He would have grinned at her, goading her out of her isolation. “After all the work I’ve put into you?” he’d demand with a sly grin. “Don’t waste it on fitting in. You were never supposed to.”
She so missed him. She always would, deep in those places that became loud in the silence. But Theo wasn’t here to push her forward. She had to do it herself. She had to decide what she deserved and then take it.
She had to decide how to fight for her marriage. And to do that, she had to construct some self-respect.
Billings was turning back toward her when she marched up to him. “Announce me, please,” she said.
There was a certain satisfaction in seeing the shock on the faces of the two men lounging in the library when she strode through the door Billings was about to close.
7
Both men jumped to their feet as if spring-loaded, the brandy in their hands sloshing around in the glass. Pip sailed in like a very small ship of the line.
“No tea, thank you, Billings,” she said. “I can see the gentlemen have their brandy. I imagine they won’t mind sharing a bit.”Billings backed out of the room faster than a pastor in a bordello. Giving her glasses a little push, Pip waved both men back into their seats, matching brown leather armchairs situated in front of the best fire she’d seen in the house. Before either man could interfere, Pip grabbed the chair that fronted Eleanor’s ‘household accounts’ desk and dragged it over to a spot facing them. Then, imperiously, she sat. Smiling as if he’d just sat down to a Drury Lane farce, Drake took a moment to splash a bit of brandy into a snifter before turning back to Pip. Taking a look at the amount, she just lifted an eyebrow. He smiled wider and added an inch or two before handing it over.
“Thank you,” she acknowledged, taking a sip and ignoring the fire in Beau’s eyes.“Now, then,” she chirped with a bright smile as if presiding over a tea tray. “What are we discussing?”
Beau was grinding his teeth. Drake couldn’t seem to stop smiling.
Pip took a moment to peruse the room where she’d spent so much time as a girl. “I do love it in here,” she said, taking a sip. “Lizzie and I used to spend an inordinate amount of time here writing stories, just like Aunt Eleanor. Mine usually involved knights and dragons.” She didn’t feel the need to tell them she had played the part of the knight.
The room was the definition of cozy. The bookshelves might have been a bit sparse—Aunt Eleanor considered classics boring and anything that didn’t help her write her books superfluous—but they were well-cared-for mahogany and carried a few vases with the last of the garden flowers. Brightly designed Persian rugs littered the dark wood floor, and overstuffed furniture cluttered up the rugs.
Pip shook her head. “I never could have come up with anything like what we have experienced the last few days, though. I don’t have the imagination.”
“I thought you were going up to take a rest,” Beau growled, sitting forward.
She flashed a bright smile. “I find I am not weary.”
“Then you should simply be happy to accept that you are not part of this conversation, just as I said. You just vowed to obey me, madam.”
She once again lifted a single eyebrow, although she knew her glasses dimmed the effect. “Ah, but in fact, Beau, I did not. I did, however, warn you that I will not be shoved aside. Besides, don’t you think national security trumps personal preference?”
“You wish to help us with national security?” Drake asked, leaning back and crossing his leg as if at his club.
“Why, yes,” Pip said with a bright smile. “I do.”
“No, you do not,” Beau insisted, now on his feet. “I don’t want you anywhere near this.”
“But I already am,” Pip countered gently, “near this.”
“She truly is,” Drake drawled, swirling his brandy a bit. “Ever since she overheard that conversation.”
Pip tilted her head. “Beau already told you about that?”
He nodded.
Beau ran his hand through his hair again. “Pip, no. I told you. It isn’t safe.”
“Neither is riding horses. But I do that.”
“And quite well,” Drake said with a placid smile.
Beau slammed his drink on the cabinet. “This is different, and you know it!”
She so wanted to lay her hand against his cheek, just to comfort him a bit. “And I am very careful.”
