He had never allowed the phrase purchase in his mind.
But when he thought of Esme—of her laughter in the park, her stubborn chin on the terrace, her eyes when she said mischief was over—the truth was no longer something he could outrun with jokes.
"Leave it," he said hoarsely."Please."
Magnus and Niall exchanged a look.Magnus rose."Very well.We have said what we came to say."
Niall clapped James's shoulder."There is to be a musicale at Haverleigh in three nights' time," he said."The Woodmere household will be there, as will we.Consider yourself invited."
James did not answer.
They left him alone at the table, surrounded by winnings that felt like useless metal disks.
A coward,he thought, staring at his empty glass.That is what you are.
The realization did not hurt as he had expected.
It burned.
Esme had never heard so many arias and wanted to scream through every one.
"Is it possible," Genny whispered in the Woodmere drawing room, "for a woman to die of a surfeit of tenors?"
"If it is, we shall discover it tonight," Esme murmured back, eyes on the door as the butler showed Viscount Watford out.
Her mother watched from the settee, hands folded, expression serene.Harrison stood at her shoulder.The room still rang faintly with Watford's last gallantries.
"Such a sensible young man," Mother said as the door closed."So reliable.So orderly.I am very pleased he has not been put off by...recent incidents."
Esme's jaw ached.She unclenched it."You mean the Serpentine."
"And the battledore business," Harrison added."Haverleigh's butler informed me you very nearly brained Lord Bertram."
"I was nowhere near Lord Bertram," Esme said."The shuttlecock simply fell."
Genny coughed to cover a laugh.
"Regardless," Harrison said, "Watford has shown himself forgiving.That speaks well for his character."
Or poorly for his imagination,Esme thought.
Aloud, she said nothing.
Mother’s gaze softened as it moved from Harrison to Esme."We have been invited to a musicale at Haverleigh in three nights' time.The Duke and Duchess are hosting.Lord Watford has requested a place on your dance card, Esme.I assured him we would be delighted."
Esme felt a chill."You assured him before asking me?"
"One does not insult a serious suitor with unnecessary hesitation," Mother said."You liked him well enough before."
"He has excellent penmanship," Esme said flatly.
"And a respectable estate," Harrison added."He spoke to me at length of his plans for improving drainage.I was very impressed."
"I am thrilled his fields will be dry," Esme said."My own feelings, however, remain otherwise."
Genny abandoned any pretense of delicacy and choked outright.Mother shot her a quelling look.
"Lady Esme," she said, using the tone that had cowed three sons and half a dozen servants, "this flippancy is unbecoming.Lord Watford is prepared to make you a very acceptable offer, should matters progress."
