The viscount paused, scanning the room.His gaze landed briefly on James, then flicked away—a promising sign, as he did not march over or challenge him to a duel.
Instead, Watford made a beeline for Lady Honoria, who raised her brows in surprise as he bowed low before her.Within moments, the two were deep in conversation, Lady Honoria's fan fluttering.
James blinked.
"What on earth did I miss?"he muttered.
"Hopefully," Magnus said at his shoulder, "the imminent union of ink and gossip."
James started.
Magnus followed James's gaze."Ah.Watford looks...lighter."
James's attention slid, inevitably, to the conservatory doors.
Esme had not yet reappeared.
His hand tightened around his glass."Do you suppose," he asked lightly, "that I have time to flee to Scotland?"
"None whatsoever," Magnus replied."Niall has barred the exit."
Sure enough, Foxmere lounged near the main doors, engaged in conversation with Genny.The two of them looked up in unison, eyes narrowing on James.
"Traitors," James muttered.
Magnus clapped him on the shoulder."You'll thank us later.Or you won't.Either way, it will be entertaining."
James drained his wine, set the empty glass on a passing tray, and turned toward the conservatory.
Heslipped through the French doors.
Lantern light painted the leaves in shades of gold and shadow.Esme stood near an orange tree, fingers resting lightly on its trunk.
She turned.
For a beat, they looked at one another.
"Lord Redford," she said."I see Haverleigh's invitations extend even to the most notorious of the ton."
He smiled."Haverleigh prides himself on tolerance.He allows in bishops, after all."
A faint twitch touched her mouth, then faded.
"Are you hiding from Watford's ink?"he asked softly."I hear he is on the verge of forming an attachment to Lady Honoria's metaphors."
"I believe they deserve each other," she said.
He took another step forward."Esme?—"
She lifted a hand."If you begin with apologies, I may scream."
He stopped."Noted."
"May I begin," he asked quietly, "with the admission that I have been a monumental idiot?"
Her brows rose."I had already reached that conclusion."
"Excellent," he said."Then we are at least in agreement on one point."
