His words were so typical of Guy—always working to twist the situation to his advantage. He would make the perfect politician.
“Of course, Mister Dannon,” replied Mrs. Shepherd.
Reluctantly Leah took hold of Guy’s offered arm and let him escort her from the ballroom.
“Now then, that wasn’t so bad, was it? You will find that doing as I ask will make for a happy home,” said Guy, gently patting her arm.
She gritted her teeth and forced herself to remember the spider and its web.
Her hope for salvation now rested in the hands of James Radley.
Chapter Seven
“Leah, come join us!” Claire waved to Leah and Guy as they walked arm in arm into the reception room which adjoined the ballroom.
James looked from his friend to Leah and back again. They were a study in opposite emotions. Guy had a self-satisfied smirk firmly plastered on his face, while Leah looked for all the world like she was going to meet the hangman’s noose. Her posture was stiff, as if the only thing she had left was her dignity.
Guy held up a hand in acknowledgement of Claire before verily dragging Leah over to where she and James stood. At the sadness on Leah’s face, James was sure something broke in his heart.
“So good to see you both again,” said Guy.
Claire permitted Guy to kiss her hand. James bowed low to Leah, all the while wishing he could pull her into his arms and offer her comfort. Anything that would take away the pain.
To his surprise, she immediately slipped from Guy’s arm and offered James her hand. “Mister Radley, how delightful to see you this evening.”
He took her hand and placed a polite kiss on it. “Miss Shepherd, I trust you are well.”
A hard smile spread across Leah’s mouth. Unfortunately, it did not extend to the rest of her face. Her eyes still held pain within them. Instead of sparkling pools of aqua, they appeared as deep wells of dark emptiness.
She blinked, and he could have sworn he saw tears on her lower eyelashes. “Yes, I am well, thank you, James. And may I also thank you for the spirited game of lawn bowls at the garden party. I hope you have forgiven me for besting you,” she replied.
He caught the look which Guy shot in Leah’s direction. By the way that she studiously kept her gaze fixed on James, he suspected Guy had not appreciated her use of James’s Christian name. There was something at play here, but he was at a loss as to what it was.
Guy loudly cleared his throat. “Leah, my dear, would you like a drink?”
She shook her head but didn’t bother to look at Guy. It was clear that the war of wills James had witnessed at the garden party was still on.
Guy stopped a passing footman bearing a tray of drinks. He retrieved two glasses of orgeat which he handed with great flourish to the women. For James and himself, he then selected two brandies.
James caught the sour look on his sister’s face as she took hold of her glass. He quietly sighed. He would be hearing about it in the carriage ride home. All the way back to Fulham Palace if he knew his sister. Claire was not one for having a gentleman treat her in such a patronizing manner.
His gaze now fell on Leah. She was holding her drink stiffly. Why Guy would think that Leah had suddenly developed a taste for it was beyond him.
“Would you prefer champagne?” James offered.
“Well, yes . . .” began Leah.
Guy took a sudden step closer to Leah and loomed over her. The move was so menacing that even James felt intimidated.
“Leah is fine with orgeat. It is a drink more becoming of a young unmarried miss than champagne. Of course, once she is married, then she will be permitted to partake in the odd glass of champagne. Drink up, Leah,” said Guy.
Leah lifted the orgeat to her lips and took a sip. Guy remained standing over her. She took another long drink, her gaze locked on his. When she went to move the glass away from her lips, Guy lifted his hand and placed it under hers. “Finish it, my love.”
As James watched the tense scene with growing unease, he felt the lightest of touches on his arm. His gaze met Claire’s.
“Perhaps it is time we went to the ballroom and danced. James you could dance with Leah, while Guy and I can make up another pair,” his sister said.
Guy took the now empty glass from Leah’s hand and passed it to a nearby footman. He bowed to Claire. “What a capital idea.”
