“But would your father agree to a different fiancé?”Sophia got up to pace.“It would be different if Mr.Huntley was Wingfield’s son rather than cousin.How do we know Huntley is wealthy enough to be acceptable to your father?And Mr.Ebrington may be set on you becoming a countess, which will never happen if you’re Mrs.Huntley.”
“The boots Math— er, Mr.Huntley was wearing the other night were made by Hoby,” Mildred said slowly.“I recall my father wanting a pair of similar style, and my mother talking him out of them because they cost more than we usually spend in a month on the entire household.”She brightened.“And Huntley’s waistcoat buttons are silver, not brass.”
“And he’s hanging about with a viscount who is heir to a marquess,” Theo added.“Attended the same schools.”
Sophia waved her hand.“I wouldn’t put it past Fairfax to carry his friend, financially speaking.They have so much in common when it comes to music, he would want him accepted in the same social circles.”
“We can sniff out his finances further,” Theo said, drumming her fingers on her knee.“But first I suggest we ascertain if Mr.Huntley’s affections are truly involved, or if he is merely engaging in a flirtation while rusticating in the countryside.”
“He invested at least a sovereign today to make sure the footman seated him beside you,” Sophia said, sitting down.
Mildred brightened.“He did?”
“And on the side away from his friend Fairfax, so he practically had you to himself,” Theo added.
“He did!”Mildred fanned herself with her hand.
Theo rolled her eyes before turning her steely gaze on Sophia.“I could have conversed with Fairfax, but he was too busy paying attention to you.”
Sophia coughed.“Before we put more effort into this, I want to be sure it’s not just an infatuation on your part.”Sophia held Mildred’s hand again.“That you aren’t being distracted by Mr.Huntley’s angelic singing voice or full head of hair.”
“His lovely auburn hair…” Mildred cleared her throat.“We have managed to engage in several conversations.None of the gentlemen visitors at the Academy ever wanted to discuss Salieri versus Mozart.But Mr.Huntley wasn’t put off by my knowledge of music history the other night.The only other person who ever wanted to discuss a composer or composition in such depth with me is you.”She pleated her skirt on her knee.“I think… I think Mr.Huntley and I could be happy together.”
Sophia stood.“Then let’s go get you a different fiancé.”The other two stood as well.“We’ll start by joining the men on their walk on the beach.”
Chapter 14
Vincent repressed a shudder when they walked past the rocks that had tumbled into the tunnel from the cave-in.His head still ached at random times, and Lawrence had to exercise care so as not to open the wound on his scalp when he washed or brushed Vincent’s hair.
Another ache filled him, a potentially embarrassing one, when Vincent thought of those stolen moments when he’d held Miss Walden on his lap while they were trapped in the cave.
“You’re certain smugglers stashed contraband in here?”Wallace said, looking around the empty cavern.Vincent found his brother’s disappointment illogical, as they all knew in advance that the contraband had been removed.
“Saw it with my own eyes,” Matthew assured him.
As there was a whole lot of nothing to see, they exited the tunnel to the beach so Matthew could point out where the ghost had been spotted.Wallace came up beside Vincent as they walked along the sand at the water’s edge.
“Miss Walden is a pretty Pocket Venus,” he said just loud enough to be heard over the crashing surf.“You’ve been rusticating here with her for a week?”
Vincent squinted at him.“Yes.”
“Are you making sport with her, or is she free to choose a protector?”
Vincent stopped.
Wallace looked back at him, eyebrows raised in query, his expression bland.
Without conscious thought, Vincent slammed his fist into Wallace’s face.
Wallace went down, sprawled on the wet sand.
Vincent’s vision gone red around the edges, he leaned over his brother.“You’re not worthy to speak her name,” he growled.
Face twisted in fury, Wallace sprang up and lunged at Vincent.
Xavier stepped between them, pushing Wallace away, muttering nonsense about turning the other cheek, even as Vincent vaguely noted Matthew grabbing his shoulders and trying to pull him back.
How many times had the four of them been in this exact situation?Vincent shook out his stinging left hand even as he flexed his right, curling and uncurling his fist.
