Isaac went still. The remark was ambiguous — it could mean nothing, or it could mean that Granton was Pennington's creditor. A man to whom Pennington owed money would have a complicated interest in Pennington's fortunes: sympathy, certainly, but also a vested stake in seeing those fortunes improve.
"You speak from experience?" Isaac asked, keeping his tone casual.
Granton's smile thinned. "I speak from observation." He took a long pull of brandy and changed the subject with deliberate ease. "I understand you were dancing with Miss Oldham at the last ball. The waltz, no less."
"She is a striking lady."
"And you have an interest there?" The question was casual but Granton's eyes were watchful.
"My interests are my own," Isaac said mildly, and watched Granton's jaw tighten before the pleasant expression returned.
"Of course. I meant nothing by it. Only that Miss Oldham seems to attract attention from several quarters."
Isaac rose to his feet. "Good morning, Granton."
He left White's with more questions than answers. Pennington was in financial difficulty — confirmed. But Granton's behavior troubled him. The man had been helpful, yet there was a watchfulness behind the helpfulness that Isaac could not account for. Was Granton genuinely sympathetic to Pennington's plight, or protecting his own interests? Was the remark about "being owed" an admission that he stood to lose if Pennington's debts went unpaid?
And there was the matter of Granton's interest in Christina. The tightening of his jaw when Isaac mentioned the waltz, the reference to "several quarters" — these were the tells of a man who felt he had a prior claim.
Two men, both with possible motives. One transparent in his charm and the other transparent in his helpfulness — and Isaac was no longer sure which transparency was more dangerous.
11
Seating herself in the carriage, Christina set her hands in her lap and looked at her brother, who was shifting about impatiently. “Is there something about Lord Wishaw’s ball that concerns you, brother?” she asked, as he frowned. “You look impatient.”
“That is only because we are tardy,” he responded, tightly. “I do not like to be so.”
“And yet, that is what is expected,” their mother smiled, as she knocked on the roof, the carriage immediately shifting forward. “You know as well as I, my son, that there is no expectation that we arrive at the very hour the ball begins.”
Lord Bedford shifted in his seat, looking out of the window, and Christina’s lips tugged gently, a notion catching her thoughts. “It could not be that there is a certain person that you are eager to see this evening?”
His brother’s eyes shot to hers, and he quickly cleared his throat. “No, not at all. Why would you say such a thing? There is no suggestion that I have anyone of interest in my view. Goodness, Christina, do you not think – ”
“You do protest a good deal, Bedford.” Their mother, seeming to enjoy the light-hearted teasing, laughed softly as Lord Bedford scowled at them both. “If there is a young lady of interest to you, then pray, do speak of her to us. I would personally be very interested to hear who this might be.”
“There is no one, I can assure you,” he said, with a shake of his head. “Besides, we are meant to be considering Christina’s prospects, are we not? I am of no importance.”
Seeing her opportunity, Christina ignored the kick of nervousness in her stomach and forced a smile. “Speaking of prospects, I have had my own interest caught by a particular fellow.”
Her mother quickly drew in a breath, her eyes rounding. “Is it Lord Granton? I did think that he might be interested in pursuing you. There is also Lord Pennington and Lord Newfield, of course. They have danced with you very often and – ”
“None of them have drawn me towards them, unfortunately.” Christina smiled at her mother’s eagerness. “They are all very suitable, I understand that, but they have sparked no warmth in my heart.”
“Then who is it?” Lady Bedford asked. “And does he know of your interest?”
A flush crept into Christina’s cheeks, and she was glad of the darkness of the carriage, which hid most of her expression from her mother and brother. “As yet, there is only an acquaintance between us.”
“Who is it?” Lord Bedford leaned forward in his seat. “Is he suitable?”
“Yes, I think so.” Christina smiled at him. “Viscount Coventry has no whisper against him; he has fortune and wealth, and his estate is well situated.”
“Oh, my dear!” Lady Bedford grasped Christina’s hand. “How wonderful. Do you think that he might return your interest?”
“He has asked to call upon me soon,” Christina returned, as her mother’s fingers pressed hers. “I am sure that he shall, should he be welcome.” Her eyes slid towards her brother, looking at him.
Lord Bedford shrugged, showing no enthusiasm but no hesitation either. “I have nothing against him coming to call. I will, of course, make certain that his reputation is as pristine as you believe it to be, should anything more come of this. No one is aware of the fortune you are to receive from your grandfather upon your marriage, I presume? I should not like that to be a motivation.”
“No, he is unaware of it,” Christina reassured him. “Just as Lord Wickton was when it came to Sophie’s marriage.”
