My part was very minor, she demurred.
Ill have no false modesty, not from my wife. He watched the guests, but was acutely conscious of Annes hand on his arm, her slender form beneath silk, panniers, and stays. Negotiating business dealsthat is my expertise. You, however, understand the nuances of polite society. You guided the conversation without appearing to. Toombe honestly thinks that inviting us to dinner had been his idea.
At first, it seemed as though she would protest again, but then she pursed her lips and allowed herself the faintest trace of conceit. It was rather well done of me.
He laughed. God, he found her more and more delightful, as unexpected as a butterfly amongst moths. If you have given me the ailment of respectability, its only fair that I corrupt you.
They gazed at each other. With her eyes bright, her cheeks flushed, she looked like a woman eager for ravishment. He quickly assessed the chamber. There was a folding screen in one corner. He could draw her behind the screen, kiss her again, and see if this mornings heat was atypical, or something he could coax forth once more.
He liked knowing things. Futures, investments, strategies. But nothing seemed more worth knowing than whether or not he could kiss his wife breathless with desire.
Something in his eyes must have given him away, for her smile faded and a look of anxious expectancy crossed her face.
Yes, hed lead her away now
A familiar voice said his name. Leo, what the devil are you doing here?
He smothered a curse and turned to find John staring at him in utter astonishment.
Conducting the worlds most discreet robbery, Leo answered.
Mrs. Bailey. John offered Anne a bow, and she curtsied in return. He glanced at the guests within the chamber. This circle is a good deal more sober than your normal company.
Spoken as a constituent of my normal company.
Are you so scandalous, then? asked Anne.
Before John could answer, Leo said to him, You never mentioned associating with this crowd.
John narrowed his eyes. I have interests beyond your understanding of me. Lord Overbury hosts some of the most influential figures in the government.
Thus, Johns presence. It made sense, yet Leo knew his friend better from late-night horse races and houses of pleasure than electoral races and Houses of Parliament.
Please pardon me, gentlemen. Anne disengaged her hand from his arm, and he felt a strange compulsion to snatch it back again.
Are you well? he asked. Though she had insisted that she had recovered from whatever mysterious ailment had troubled her earlier, he didnt want to risk a relapse.
Yes, yes certainly. I just need to ... She glanced toward the corridor, which led to the ladies retiring room.
Within the chamber they now stood, servants were removing furniture and rolling up rugs in preparation for dancing. Anne saw this, and said, Perhaps when I return, we might dance.
I dont know the steps, Leo said.
I could teach you.
Many things Im willing to try, but Id sooner kiss John than learn to dance in public.
Flattering, drawled John.
Yet Anne looked disappointed. Clearly, the girl who had hesitantly danced at their wedding celebration had transformed into a woman more comfortable in herself. Leo felt his own stab of remorse. He wanted to please her.
John, you had a dancing master.
Seeing the direction Leo was heading, John spread his hands. Monsieur Desceliers never had a less apt pupil than I. It is rumored that, in despair, he fled back to the Continent and became a rat catcher. Or a drunkard. Or both.
I do not want to cause mass drunkenness, said Anne. Nor would I appreciate the spectacle of my husband kissing anyone but me. She blushed, but did not lower her gaze. We shall save the dancing for another occasion. Pardon me, gentlemen.
Both Leo and John bowed as she took her leave. Leo watched her as she circled the room, noticing how she kept her chin tilted up, her tread confident. When they had come in, less than an hour earlier, she had kept her chin tucked low, and her step had hesitated. She grew before his very eyes, as if he could somehow watch a rose unfurl its petals within the span of a moment.
Oh, for the love of sin, muttered John.
Leo tore his gaze away as Anne left the chamber. The hell are you going on about?
Youll be as bad as Edmund soon. John batted his eyes.
Leo scowled. Edmund is besotted.
To which John only gave him a very droll look.
To which Leo gave John a very rude hand gesture.
John smirked, but his humor did not last. In the glare of candlelight, his long, thin face and deeply set eyes looked almost macabre. How fared you the rest of the day? Did you accomplish what you needed to do?
Sobering, Leo answered, Whit wont be received at any of the gaming clubs. Not Whites, nor Boodles, nor the others. It took just a handful of suggestions that he played dishonestly, a few fraudulent written testimonials, and a promise to make several valuable investments on behalf of the club managers.