“We alwaysknewyou were a hero, Mr. Cassidy,” said Mrs. Hardy, sounding satisfied, which was a compliment indeed, as she was married to a hero.
“‘A tooth might have grazed me,’” Delacorte quoted slowly, admiringly. “Didn’t I tell you it was a great story!”
Everyone nodded.
“All that for a dog...” the earl repeated musingly. “Bravo, sir.”
“Tuesday was my responsibility, sir, and all I knew was that if I had to, I was going to go down trying to save her. No matter what, I... I take care of my own.”
He realized he’d directed this to Lillias. Primarily, or so he told himself, because he could feel her eyes upon him. He was suddenly certain he’d be able to sense the quality of her gaze even if they were separated by a crowd of hundreds, the way he was able to detect a shift in the wind. He deliberately, with an effort at nonchalance, turned his head and pretended to study the wallpaper.
Everyone sat in happy, quiet contentment for a time, as one does to let a good story settle in. Presently, knitting and embroidery was taken up and Mrs. Pariseau reached for the Faro box.
“All right,” she said happily. “Who would like to—”
“I CAN’T TAKE IT ANYMORE!” St. John howled.
Mrs. Pariseau gave a little shriek and she and the countess clapped their hands over their hearts. Dot nearly fell out of her chair.
All the men stiffened, poised to leap in case he needed pouncing upon.
St. John took a gulping breath.
He took another.
“Mr. Delacorte,” he said firmly, his voice creaking from strain.
Confused eyebrows joined the startled expressions. If they’d been accepting wagers on what St. John was about to say, everyone would have lost.
Delacorte looked up at him, expectantly.
“Will youplease...”
Everyone pitched forward a little in suspense.
“...teach me how to play chess.”
It was safe to say it ranked among the most surprising things said yet at The Grand Palace on the Thames.
Delacorte studied St. John thoughtfully, sternly.
Then slowly, his face split into an expansive grin and he swept an arm toward the chair across from him.
St. John staggered over and settled in.
“I’ve been so bored,” he half croaked.
“There, there,” Delacorte said briskly as he set up the board.
It took a moment for everyone’s heart to settle to its usual rhythms. Between the bear story and St. John’s outburst, everyone’s emotions had taken a vigorous buffeting on a full stomach, and it grew quiet.
“If he thinks standing there is humbling, just wait until Delacorte makes hay of him,” Hugh murmured to Bolt, who grinned.
Mrs. Pariseau cleared her throat. “Well, perhaps we ought to finish reading—”
A vigorous rapping echoed through the foyer.
“Oh, the door!” Dot leaped up.
