Page 16 of The Locked Room

‘Don’t look now but he’s coming over,’ Seb remarked.

Glancing up through her lashes, Harry saw that he was right. Percy was threading his way through the tables, making a beeline for them. She fired a meaningful glare at Seb. ‘Do not encourage him.’

Her brother smirked. ‘From what I’ve seen, he doesn’t need any encouragement.’

Before she could respond, a shadow fell across the table. ‘Miss White. What an unexpected joy to find you here.’

Composing herself, Harry looked up with a polite smile. ‘Hello, Percy. How are you?’

Seb stood, extending a hand. ‘Good to see you, Finchem.’

‘And you,’ Percy replied. ‘In the company of the ever-lovely Louisa, too.’

The other woman smiled but it did not quite reach her eyes. ‘Thank you, Mr Finchem.’

Harry felt her interest pique. Was it her imagination or was Louisa’s manner suddenly a little stilted? But Percy was speaking again and this time he was addressing her. ‘No Fortescue this evening?’ he enquired, his tone studiously innocent.

‘No.’ Harry forced her own voice to match his lightness. ‘He’s not much of a dancer.’

Percy’s eyes glittered. ‘Happily for me.’

A treacherous bubble of pleasure burst somewhere in Harry’s midriff, even as she offered a silent apology to Oliver for maligning his ability to dance. She tamped both emotions down, determined not to let Percy’s outrageous flirtation affect her. But Seb had other ideas. ‘Won’t you join us for a drink?’ he said, waving a careless hand at the champagne bottle. ‘I’m sure Louisa can rustle up another glass from somewhere.’

Again, Harry caught a flicker of something else behind Louisa’s smile. ‘Of course I can.’ She reached out to stroke Seb’s cheek. ‘Anything for you, Sam.’

Percy watched her leave, then eased along the banquette until he sat beside Harry. ‘Sam, is it?’

Seb leaned back, the picture of relaxed unconcern. ‘You know how it is. Who are you this evening?’

‘I’ve never been one for pretending to be someone else,’ Percy said, and his gaze flicked to Harry. ‘What you see is what you get with me. As Miss White knows.’

That caused Seb’s eyebrows to lift. ‘Does she indeed?’

He shrugged. ‘I’ve never hidden my interest in getting to know her better. Perhaps tonight is my chance.’

Seb snorted. ‘I assume your brother isn’t here.’

‘No, he’s away on family business,’ Percy said, and turned the full force of his regard onto Harry. ‘No James. No Fortescue. Just us, and an endless supply of champagne.’

For a moment, Harry was mesmerised by the blueness of his eyes. ‘Surely not endless,’ she said, breaking the spell just as Louisa materialised with another flute.

‘Enough to make us dance, then,’ Percy said. ‘Please tell me you dance, Miss White.’

She glanced across the room to where some of the crowd had begun throwing themselves around with blissful disregard for propriety. ‘If that’s what you mean then I’m not sure I know how.’

He smiled. ‘Luckily, I’m an excellent teacher.’

‘You know, I feel like the perfect gooseberry,’ Seb said mildly, handing Percy the filled flute. ‘Do you mean to seduce my sister right before my eyes, Finchem?’

Percy’s smile widened, and Harry was reminded of the way he had looked as they’d stood alone in the moonlight after a dinner party at Abinger Hall the previous November, wolfish and wild, with just a hint of wickedness. ‘Only if she’ll let me.’

The moment was broken by a sudden squeal from Louisa, who had knocked her glass sideways, sending a tide of golden liquid cascading across the tablecloth. ‘Silly me,’ she exclaimed, her face twisted in consternation.

Seemingly from nowhere, Albert appeared. He took in the spill and threw Seb an apologetic look. ‘Accidents will happen,’ he said, sighing. ‘Please excuse us for a short while, to allow us to make things right.’

Obediently, the four of them slipped out from behind the table. Albert snapped his fingers at a passing waiter, who whisked the stained cloth away. ‘Won’t you join me at my table, Miss White?’ Percy asked, placing a hand on the small of her back. ‘I’m sure Sam here won’t mind.’

Seb cast an enquiring look at Harry. It was a tempting offer; on another occasion she might have given in to the curiosity Percy aroused in her, but she wasn’t at the Hot Spot to enjoy herself. With regret, she gave a barely perceptible shake of her head. ‘I’m sorry, Finchem, but I do mind,’ Seb replied blandly. ‘Who knows what dark deeds you’re getting up to over there.’