Page 31 of An Engagement with the Enemy

“Then do as Papa says and find someone to marry.”

Jessica winced. “The right someone, though.”

“Ah, there’s the rub—”

“No Hamlet, either,” Catherine cut him off, then sighed. “I’ll call for refreshment.” She stage-whispered to Jessica. “Maybe once he’s fed, he will leave us alone.” She rose and went to the door, leaving it open as she stepped into the hall to speak to a footman.

James leaned forward and spoke quickly, in a whisper, “Begin by exaggerating any flaws you think I possess. Start small and work your way up.”

A smile spread across Jessica’s lips. “An excellent plan. I can certainly think of a few things.”

Before he could begin to worry what she meant by that, Catherine returned to the room and assured them tea and biscuits would arrive soon. James settled back in his seat and let his sister and her friend speak as freely as ever, without interrupting them. Enjoying the domestic chatter without feeling the need to do more than take it in.

There was much to be said for enjoying the simple pleasure of a comfortable room and good company. With his eyes closed, he listened to the gentle flow of conversation. Catherine’s cheerful chatter with Jessica’s calmer tones had nearly lulled him into sleep by the time two footmen reappeared with trays of food and drink.

“I thought we’d lost you to your dreams,” Jessica said, putting delicately cut slices of bread on her plate. “Do we bore you that much, James?”

“Not at all.” He served himself a large fruit tart. “I found myself content to listen. Contrary to what you may think, a lively conversation between the two of you could never bore me. You’re both intelligent ladies with interesting thoughts. Or so I find. I was merely enjoying the moment.”

Catherine paused before taking a sip of her tea. “Goodness, James. You needn’t waste your flattery on the two of us. We know you too well. But I suppose we appreciate your company. When it is silent company. Do we not, Jess?”

“Indeed.” Jessica gave him a good-natured grin. “Though I’m surprised you managed to keep your thoughts to yourself for so long.”

“There is wisdom in knowing when to speak and when to listen.” James settled more comfortably in his chair.

The two ladies shared a surprised glance before turning their stares upon him. He grinned, pleased to have taken them by surprise, and gave his attention to his tea and tart. After listening to the likes of Lord Frederick the week before, noting how often the man felt the need to interrupt women speaking to interject his supposedly superior thoughts, James had determined to avoid acting similarly.

The distaste he’d felt toward the marquess’s brother would likely stay with him for some time, with Lord Frederick an excellent example of everything not to do. After the first meeting with their new guests, James had a feeling he’d be adding Lord William and Lord Henry’s traits to that growing list of qualities he didn’t wish to embody.

When he caught Jessica’s gaze a moment later, he noted the curiosity in her eyes. She studied him without attempting to hide it. He raised both eyebrows and saluted her with his teacup. Her cheeks pinked slightly as she gave her attention back to Catherine and their discussion of two servants they suspected had a romantic interest in one another.

James let himself enjoy the quiet, and neither lady remarked when he stayed long after they had finished eating their light repast.

CHAPTER TWELVE

The afternoon after the new guests arrived, under a clear sky decorated with fluffy, wandering clouds, Jessica embarked on the next step of her mission. The gardens of Castle Amoret, with their blooming roses and a small maze of hedges, provided the perfect atmosphere for conversation. She found herself strolling leisurely with Lady Helen and Catherine, navigating the intricacies of garden paths while subtly undermining James’s prospects.

“And this is the rose garden,” Catherine said as Jessica walked behind her friend and the lovely Lady Helen.

“It’s beautiful,” Lady Helen replied, her tone soft and awed. “It must be a delight to walk here every day. Do you visit your friends’ garden often, Miss Westcote?”

“I do, indeed. And I find it both lovely and peaceful. Although,” Jessica made a show of hesitating before lowering her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “Some might say it’s too serene.”

“Oh?” Catherine chimed in, slowing her pace and raising her eyebrows. “How so?”

Catherine’s presence meant handling her role as saboteur with the greatest of delicacy. Her friend couldn’t suspect that James and Jessica had joined forces in their mutual bid for independence. The only time Jessica had expressed her reason for not wanting to marry to her friend, Catherine had lecture her for more than an hour about not letting her short-comings blind her to future happiness.

Easy for Catherine to say, when she didn’t have to worry about having a fit in the middle of a ball.

“Well,” Jessica said, drawing out the single syllable. “Consider your brother. Mr. Aldwick. He does love a good jest, doesn’t he?”

Catherine laughed lightly. “He can be insufferable at times,” she admitted to Lady Helen. “And the garden is one of the places he enlivens with his pranks.”

Jessica didn’t let the story telling end there. She hastened to add, “He once hid live frogs beneath a cloche at a garden party. Lady Retford thought she was revealing a particularly elegant arrangement of pastries and didn’t immediately see the reason for the guests’ sudden shrieks.”

Lady Helen turned somewhat pale, though she released a weak giggle. “Oh dear. Was he quite young when he did that?”

“Not at all,” Catherine said with a wince, and the look she gave Jessica was full of regret. Jessica knew her friend well enough to guess that Catherine realized they weren’t painting her brother in the best light.