In for a penny, in for a pound, Bradford thought.
He did his best to look sheepish, rounding his shoulders and wincing. “It’s embarrassing to admit, but sometimes I practice entire conversations back and forth.” He adopted a falsetto and said, “Thank you kindly, Lord Hayes. Do you prefer lemon biscuits or shortbread biscuits?”
Bradford thought he heard a single, muffled snort from beneath the table and scuffed his foot against the hardwood to hopefully cover for it.
“Ah, yes.” Rigsby nodded as if with deep understanding. “I do much the same, only when I’m in the bath.”
With great effort, Bradford kept from grimacing. “Well, my shoe is fixed, and we’d better be getting back—” He took a step toward the door.
Rigsby held up a hand. “I’m glad I chanced upon you here. I’ve actually been hoping to speak with you, gentleman to gentleman, about a delicate subject.”
“Of course. Let’s walk together.” Bradford gestured toward the doorway. “After you.”
“I’d much prefer to speak here. It’s a matter best discussed privately.”
That’s precisely what Bradford was afraid of. What, he wondered wildly, did the man know?
“It’s about Miss Preston.”
“Ah, Margaret,” Bradford said with a knowing smile. “She’s lovely.”
“No—”
“Forgive me, you meant Beatrice.” He lifted a finger. “A wonderful young lady. Very charming and smart.”
“I’m speaking of Miss Lily Preston, of course.”
“That’s quite understandable. Sheisa remarkable piano player. Why, I hear she can play two songs almost all the way through.” Knowing that Lily was listening, Bradford couldn’t help his grin.
Unfortunately, Rigsby seemed to think Bradford was mocking him, somehow. He frowned. “Pardon me for saying so, but some of the other gentlemen mentioned that you’re on a first-name basis with the lady.”
“She and I are friends.”
“Yet there are some of us who desire to actually court her.”
Bradford nodded in a commiserating sort of way. “The population of her parlor on any given afternoon does suggest as much.”
“And areyoucourting Miss Preston? For it’s rumored that you’re in attendance nearly every day.”
“Funnily enough, I don’t believe I’ve ever seen you in attendance, Lord Rigsby, so what business is it of yours?” Bradford’s smile had slipped from his eyes.
“Every gentleman’s methods are different. I’m laying a foundation of sorts.”
“A wise tactic. There’s no rush when it comes to connubial bliss. As Howell put it, ‘Distance sometimes endears friendship, and absence sweeteneth it.’”
“Indeed. But there is still the matter ofyou.”
“I prefer a more direct approach to courting as a rule. Speaking with the lady, for instance…” There was another muffled noise from beneath the table; Bradford jostled and scuffed his foot a few times.
Lord Rigsby finally seemed to suspect that Bradford was having fun at his expense. He straightened his narrow shouldersand demanded, “Do you or do you not have an understanding with her that other gentlemen should know about?”
In that moment, Bradford longed to be able to say yes, but he would never lie about a lady to anyone.
He mustered his forbearance and said, “If other gentlemen should know, then they certainlywould.”
“There are some gentlemen who’ve been put off making an offer because of the distinction the lady showsyou.”
“Their cowardice and lack of conviction are neither her fault or mine,” Bradford said, no longer smiling at all.
