Page 54 of Engaging Sir Isaac

“You mean you are not already acting?” she asked, leaning a little toward him. “Dear me. We are in for a show.”

He chuckled but did not say more on the subject. He released her arm and leaned his left shoulder against the windowpane. “What do you wish to do tomorrow? I intend to take you away from this house as often as possible. Perhaps you would care to ride with me?”

Millie’s heart accepted the invitation before she could voice it, with the way it picked up in tempo. It wasn’t good to give in. Isaac was playing a role. He was a good friend, nothing more. “I would enjoy that. Tomorrow evening there will be a musical performance. Will you come?”

“Are you performing?”

“No.”

He narrowed his eyes at her. “Are you not a talented performer?”

“I sing well enough.” She stepped a little closer, lowering her voice still more. “And I play the harp, but Lady Olivia will not suffer anyone to perform upon her instrument.”

“Is that so?” His eyes brightened, undoubtedly with mischief. “Esther has a harp. Perhaps I will convince her to bring it.”

“You horrid man. You must do no such thing. What an insult to my hosts.” Millie tried to hide her amusement, looking over her shoulder at the room to be certain no one heard, and she caught sight of the viscount standing in a corner at the opposite side of the room, speaking with the marquess and Lord Neil. “I have no wish to perform for these people.”

Isaac’s eyebrows furrowed, and he followed her gaze with his. “I cannot say that I blame you. This room is full of disagreeable sorts.”

Millie shuddered and turned away before Lord Carning caught her stare. “Thank goodness you are here.”

His eyes met hers, and she caught a flicker of emotion in them. Tenderness. Relief. Something of that nature which caused his shoulders to relax and a smile to return to his handsome face. “I am pleased to be of service to you, Miss Wedgewood.”

The air in the room shifted, growing stifling before Millie could offer her gratitude to Sir Isaac yet again. She and he turned as one to the entrance, where Lady Olivia stood regally framed by the wide doorway.

“Are we supposed to applaud?” Millie asked, taking in the woman’s haughty pose.

“Thankfully, I am excused from ever doing so on that woman’s account.” He raised his right hand and his eyebrows, rather comically drawing her attention to his inability to clap hands together.

A laugh escaped Millie, and she did not cover it quite soon enough for Lady Olivia to miss the sound. The daughter of the marquess descended upon them, fan already cutting through the air.

“Sir Isaac. Miss Wedgewood. You are not playing any games. Are our offerings not good enough for you?” she asked, eyelashes beating fiercely. “Not tempting enough?” Though she had addressed them both, the woman kept her gaze upon Sir Isaac. Measuring him. Perhaps reminding him of what she had offered in the past. What she may yet offer.

Millie resisted the urge to be sick, but only just.

“The diversions in your home are well known.” The lack of emotion in Sir Isaac’s voice bordered on rude. “I have found Miss Wedgewood’s company preferable to the other entertainments.”

If Millie hadn’t been made privy to the history between the two people before her, their veiled meanings would certainly make her curious. When Lady Olivia’s face turned a dark red, and one of her eyes twitched involuntarily, Millie hastily constructed an innocent expression before the woman rounded upon her.

“And you, Miss Wedgewood. Do you enjoy the company more than the games?”

There was hidden meaning there, too.

“The games are most diverting, my lady.” Though she pressed her lips together tightly, Millie gritted her teeth after speaking, hard enough they might crack.

Lady Olivia was called by another guest. She gave Sir Isaac one last dangerous glare before turning her back on them.

Millie still held her breath when she felt Isaac’s hand at the small of her back. He touched her gently, where no one might see the reassurance he offered. “We will beat her at her game, Millie. I promise.”

She nodded once. “Perhaps you ought to excuse yourself now. I will speak to your sister.” She had spotted the countess in conversation with other matrons near a table of punch. “Mr. Weston has just joined a game of cards.”

Isaac took her measure before he agreed. “Stay with Essie. I did not tell her your secrets, but I did say you might need a friend this evening.” He bowed, then left the room by walking along its edges, stopping to speak occasionally to card players, drawing little attention to himself.

Millie did the same, in the opposite direction, winding her way to Lady Inglewood. Esther welcomed her into the conversation at once, which centered upon the thought of using one’s artistic skills to improve the home.

It took a great deal of Millie’s discipline to not check the doorway, or the timepiece on the mantel, while Isaac was away. If he were caught, things might go badly for them both. But it was easier, far easier, to stand in a room with the viscount knowing Isaac was nearby.

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