Mr. Hatcher glanced at her, wary of the shift. “That was the plan.”
“And he thought it best to do so through me,” she continued, as though working the thought through aloud. “A clever notion in theory, though rather poorly executed in practice.”
“That is a generous assessment,” he said dryly.
“Tell me… how fond are you of your brother?”
Mr. Hatcher blinked. “Fond enough to set aside my good sense and make a fool of myself tonight.”
“Fond enough to enjoy getting the teensiest bit of revenge? All in good fun, of course.”
A pause followed, brief but telling, as comprehension dawned. Mr. Hatcher studied her, then let out a short breath that might have been a laugh, his earlier tension giving way to intrigue.
“Miss Eden, I believe you are about to suggest something highly improper.”
“Most certainly.”
“And you expect me to assist you in it?”
“It shan’t work as well without you.”
Mr. Hatcher considered her a moment longer, then the corner of his mouth lifted. “I am listening.”
Smoothing her skirts, Nora lifted her chin. “What if you told him your efforts to win me over were entirely unsuccessful because I was too distracted by a certain gentleman, who watched us from the shadows?”
Mr. Hatcher reached up and pinched the bridge of his nose. “He didn’t.”
“No doubt he thought he was being subtle, but it is difficult to ignore someone staring at me for hours on end,” said Nora with a half-smile.
“Have I mentioned he has the social acumen of a granite slab?”
Nodding, Nora brushed that aside and continued, “You tried to win me over, but I was just too overcome by that mysterious figure lurking just out of reach.”
Mr. Hatcher crossed his arms. “You wish for me to unleash my brother on you?”
“I wish you to entertain me for the rest of this unutterably dull ball whilst also placing him in a position that will make him excessively uncomfortable—which will only increase my amusement,” said Nora. “And when he finally sorts out that I have been toying with him, hopefully, he will have learned to be less underhanded.”
Brows raised, he considered that, the faintest hint of a smile tickling his lips. “I shan’t deny that a bit of comeuppance is quite appealing after he pestered me into this.” With the slightest wince, Mr. Hatcher added, “My reluctance had naught to do with you—”
Nora waved away his explanation. “Come now, I am not so vain nor is my heart so fragile as to be bruised over a bit of honesty. I do not expect every man to be overcome with desire for me. And I promise I have no interest in tormenting your brother. Just a bit of teasing. That is all. Surely he deserves that.”
Crossing his arms, Mr. Hatcher considered that, his expression brightening. “I will warn you that it will take some time to convince him.”
“So, he was happy to offer you up as a sacrifice and avoid the work himself?” scoffed Nora.
But that earned her a raised brow. “Jonathan Hatcher is one of the most industrious men I know. If anything, he is too devoted to his long hours. Effort and dedication arenothis shortcomings.”
“And what are?” she asked.
“Oh, you will discover that soon enough,” he said with a chuckle as he motioned her back to the ballroom.
“Well, I shall escape to my novel in the meantime.”
Mr. Hatcher offered her his arm once more, and together they made their way back to the house and drawing room, the warmth and noise billowing through the doors. As they crossed the threshold, Nora’s gaze drifted ahead and caught upon the broad figure lingering near the edge of the room; though his attention appeared fixed elsewhere, there was a tautness to the gentleman’s stillness that betrayed him entirely.
Nora’s lips twitched as she released Mr. Hatcher’s arm and continued past the lurking brother at an unhurried pace; she did not slow, nor did she acknowledge her quarry, though she felt his attention follow her all the same. The little alcove remained mostly empty, and Nora reclaimed her chair once more as she withdrew the yellowback.
And with that, Mademoiselle Adèle’s story reclaimed her.
