Page 46 of Caught by the Forbidden Duke
The footman reappeared in the doorway. “Lord James Barrow, my lady. And His Grace, the Duke of Silverford.”
Helena’s needle stilled, and Annabelle rose, trying not to think too much about how quickly she’d done it.
James came through first, leather case in both fists. He stopped when he saw the man in the chair opposite, his entire small body going rigid. His eyes went to him, then to Annabelle, then back. He held where he was, head slightly forward, in the way a cat holds itself when it has encountered something new and has not yet decided what category to put it in.
Dominic came in behind him. His eyes swept the room: the tea things, Lord Chesham, the asters on the side table, and then he gave a short nod.
“Lady Annabelle.”
“Your Grace.” She turned. “Lord Chesham, may I present His Grace, the Duke of Silverford, and Lord James Barrow, his ward.”
Lord Chesham stood and bowed toward Dominic with a pleasant, unguarded smile. “Your Grace. I don’t believe we have been introduced. Albrey Whitmore, Viscount Chesham.”
Dominic looked at him. “Chesham.” The title came out level, without warmth or variation, and it was a point to Lord Chesham’s character that his expression did not change.
Instead, the other man bent slightly toward James with the same smile. “How do you do, my lord?”
James looked at his shoes, then at Annabelle. “Can we start?” he said, blatantly ignoring Lord Chesham’s attempt at an introduction.
“In a moment.” She gave him a nod.
He accepted it and went to the window seat, where Newton had installed himself in the morning light and was studying Lord Chesham with the frank, unhurried scrutiny.
Lord Chesham turned back to her, gracious in his ability not to take offense at the snobbery. “I did not realize you were occupied with lessons this morning.”
“Lord James comes to me three mornings a week,” she said. “I have been teaching him the piano.”
Lord Chesham’s eyebrows lifted, and his head tilted. He glanced once at James on the window seat and then back. “The piano.Is that so?” A brief pause ensued in which he glanced briefly in Dominic’s direction. “You are exceedingly generous with your time, Lady Annabelle.”
Annabelle heard the speculation in his voice, but she made a point to ignore it with a serene smile. “I enjoy it.”
“I have no doubt.” He smiled; it was warm, and it was entirely meant. “I had heard you were accomplished, but I confess I had not imagined…well. It speaks very highly of you.” He looked at her directly. “I must tell you, I hope very much to hear you play at some point, if you would permit it. By all accounts, it would be more than worth the hearing.”
“You are kind.”
“I am serious,” he said.
Dominic had not moved from the doorway. He stood with his hat in both hands, eyes at no fixed point in the room. His coat was the dark one, the one he wore in the mornings when he came on foot. Annabelle was not looking at him directly, which was its own species of awareness.
“Well.” Lord Chesham collected his hat from the table. “I have no wish to delay the lesson.” He bowed to her. “Lady Annabelle.” A shorter bow toward Helena, who received it with a smile. Then he turned toward Dominic and gave a brief, civil nod. “Your Grace. A pleasure.”
Dominic smiled grimly in response, with an almost reluctant dip of his chin. “Likewise.” He replied.
Lord Chesham’s mouth curved, unperturbed, and he was shown out by the footman.
The front door closed, and Dominic looked at James. “Be ready at noon,” he said.
“Yes,” James said, without looking up from Newton.
“My apologies for the interruption.” He addressed this to a point approximately at the location of Annabelle’s shoulder.
“Not at all,” she said, clearing her throat subtly, trying not to squirm under his attention.
But he simply inclined his head once, settled his hat, and left. In the silence, Newton considered the closed door, then looked back at James.
James got down from the window seat, picked up his case, and came to stand at Annabelle’s elbow. He was quiet for the precise length of time it takes a person to form a thought they have already decided to share.
“He doesn’t like him,” he said.
