"Whatever you are thinking," Esme whispered, "do not."
"I am thinking," Genny whispered back, eyes bright, "that it is a very fine day for a new member."
"Absolutely not," Esme hissed.
James, beside her, had gone very still.
"Esme," Harrison said as he reached them, inclining his head."Miss Moreland.Lord Redford."
"Harrison," Esme said, making room on the far end of the bench."I was under the impression you had barricaded yourself in your study with the estate accounts."
"I finished them," he said.
Genny clapped a hand to her heart."You astonish me, my lord.I did not know such a thing was possible.Will the sun set twice this evening?"
His mouth twitched.
"I wished to walk," he said shortly, "and to ensure you were not...overexerting yourself."
Esme stared."By sitting on a bench?"
"By," his gaze flicked to James, "becoming entangled in schemes."
"Schemes?"James repeated, all wounded innocence."We are merely admiring the view."
"The view," Harrison said, "appears to involve Miss Moreland holding contraband illustrations."
Genny folded the paper at once."You are very suspicious, my lord."
"I am," he said."Experience has taught me that when you are nearby, it is rarely without cause."
"See?"Genny turned to Esme, triumphant."He notices me."
"I notice impending disaster," Harrison said dryly."You simply tend to be in the vicinity."
Esme pressed her lips together against a smile.
"Lord Woodmere," James said diplomatically, "I assure you, your sister is perfectly safe.I have not led her into a single pond in weeks."
"Your standards for safety are peculiar," Woodmere said.
"True," James nodded, "but I am endeavoring to raise them.Esme has set certain conditions."
Harrison's gaze shifted to his sister.
"You seem...happier," he said, "even when you are being impossible."
She held his gaze."That is because I am allowed to be impossible and happy at the same time."
His jaw worked."If Redford fails to keep you so, I shall have words with him.Long ones."
"I look forward to it."James smirked."I adore being scolded."
"You will not," Harrison said.
Genny, who had been watching this exchange as if the theater were free at last, suddenly sprang to her feet."Well," she said brightly, "as you are both determined to pretend that nothing interesting is happening, perhaps Lord Woodmere would be so kind as to rescue me from the horror of walking alone."
Harrison blinked."I beg your pardon?"
