His frown deepened. “Excuse me, I have some business to attend to.”
“It can wait. Miss Brinton was about to sing us a new song.”
He sat in the chair his mother had indicated without looking at me. Embarrassed by his obvious reluctance to stay, I stepped away from the music. “In all honesty, I had not meant to be heard.”
“But you have such a lovely voice,” Lady Williams said. “What if Gregory joined you in a duet? It has been too long since I’ve heard him.”
I looked at him in surprise. He sang?
A movement outside the window drew my attention, but when I looked, nothing was there. I refocused on Lord Williams. Why couldn’t he be the man he’d pretended to be? Why must he be the distant and cold baron who must always be proved right? “I am not up to the task, I’m afraid. But perhaps his lordship would like to play something instead?”
His eyes met mine. “No one said I played, Miss Brinton.”
With as fine a room as this and an ability to sing, he must have some note-reading ability. “Do you not?” I challenged.
Lady Williams chuckled. “Oh, he plays. Not as well as you, but well enough.”
I gestured to the piano. “Will you do us the honor?”
Something moved just outside the window again. This time I was sure of it. I frowned and walked to the window.
“Is anything the matter?” Lord Williams asked, rising from his seat.
“I thought I saw—” A face flashed in the window. I screamed and jumped back, bumping into Lord Williams with such force that we both stumbled. His arm flew around me, keeping me from falling. But even the safety of his arms could not protect me from the shock of what lay outside.
Mr. Lundall’s grin turned to a frown. He stood from the bushes where he’d been hiding and placed his hands on his hips. He gestured to us and muttered something, then turned and stomped toward the front of the house, disappearing from view.
Lord Williams’s embrace loosened, but he still held me against him. “He seems to have gone. I assure you, you are quite safe. That man shall be apprehended at once.”
I slid out of his arms and mumbled, “He is harmless.”
Lord Williams placed a hand on my arm and turned me to face him. “You know him?”
I nodded. “We are acquainted.”
“My dear,” Lady Williams said, putting an arm around me.
There was some commotion in the hall. Sundson’s angry voice reverberated into the room. Mr. Lundall’s quieter voice responded. Their voices grew louder until they burst into the room, Sundson in the lead, a footman holding Mr. Lundall firmly by the arm. Lord Williams stepped in front of his mother and me as though to protect us.
“Excuse me, my lord, but this gentleman,” Sundson said, “demands an audience with the young lady.”
“Miss Brinton,” Mr. Lundall said, wrenching his arm from the footman’s grasp. He yanked on his red waistcoat and straightened his sleeve, shooting a look of disgust at the footman.
There was nothing to do but introduce them. I cleared my throat and stepped from behind Lord Williams. “Lord Williams, Lady Williams—Mr. Lundall.”
Twenty-Eight
My father stepped into the room. “I heard some commotion and came to see—Mr. Lundall?” My father glanced at me, then back at Mr. Lundall, his eyes narrowing.
Mr. Lundall turned to my father. “Yes, Mr. Brinton. It is I.”
“Why have you come?” my father demanded. But then he seemed to think better of his question. “A word, if you wouldn’t mind.”
“Not at all.” Mr. Lundall refocused his attention on me and smiled.
“In private, sir,” my father said with annoyance.
“Of course. A private audience with you is one of the purposes for my visit. But first—” He glided across the room, appearing beside me before I registered his intention. Lord Williams straightened and stepped closer. My hand tensed, ready to plug my nose. But the need to ward off the stench never came. Surprised, I stared at Mr. Lundall. He looked exactly the same as ever. But there was no smell.
“You look radiant this afternoon, Miss Brinton,” Mr. Lundall exclaimed, grabbing my hand and kissing it.
“So you have informed me each time we have met.” I slipped my hand out of his grasp and hid it in the folds of my dress.
He nodded. “It will always be true. You are my sun, shining brightly any time of day.”
“Then I would that it were night,” I muttered.
“Mr. Lundall?” My father commanded.
“I shall return presently.” Mr. Lundall bowed and strode back to my father.
“You always do.” I sighed.
Lord Williams watched Mr. Lundall’s retreat. “Perhaps I should join them.”
My hand shot to his arm. I couldn’t have him in the interview between Mr. Lundall and my father. What would he think? Not that it mattered, of course.
He glanced at my hand and I quickly removed it from his arm. “I apologize,” I stammered, “but I believe there is no need to trouble yourself. My father will show Mr. Lundall out.”
“Miss Brinton, that gentleman was scampering about my grounds. Please excuse me.” He marched out of the room. Sundson followed.
“Well,” Lady Williams said, “this has proved a most exciting afternoon, don’t you think?”
“It has certainly been very unexpected.”
“I believe I shall ask Sundson to set an extra place for dinner,” she continued.
I shook my head in disbelief. “Lady Williams, I have the greatest hope Mr. Lundall will not be present for dinner.”
She smiled subtly. “I have the greatest hope that he will. I would hate to be disappointed.” She, too, left the room.
I stared at the door until a noise in the hallway recalled me to my surroundings. If Lady Williams got her way, this room would be the first place Mr. Lundall came looking for me. I hurried out of the room and up the stairs, shutting my bedroom door securely behind me.
When I walked into the antechamber for dinner, Mr. Lundall rushed forward, offering me his arm. It seemed Lady Williams had gotten her wish.
I hesitated.
“Miss Brinton.” He held his elbow closer to me.
“Mr. Lundall,” I said, “this is hardly necessary.”
“I insist on being allowed to escort you in.”
“But Lady Cox and her daughter have not yet arrived. I am in no need of an escort as of yet.”
Sundson entered. “Lady Cox, Miss Perrin, Mr. Hargreaves, and Mrs. Hargreaves.” Lady Cox swept into the room followed by Miss Perrin, Mrs. Hargreaves, and a thin, balding man with a small nose and no chin.
An unexpected surge of relief ran through me. I had not known Lady Williams had invited Mr. and Mrs. Hargreaves as well. At least I’d have someone sympathetic to speak with.
Introductions were made, Lady Cox provided an excuse for Sir Timothy’s absence, and dinner was announced.
Mr. Lundall practically elbowed me in my ribs. But the uneven numbers and Miss Perrin being of higher status than I provided my excuse, “You should escort Miss Perrin, Mr. Lundall. I shall come behind,” I said.