Page 53 of Redemption

“Tell me, my lady. What did you think about Mr. Conway’s performance this evening?”

“I confess I’m not a huge fan of Conway,” Constance said with a wry grimace. “He tends to play all of his roles in the same wooden manner, no matter what part he’s playing.”

“I thought he was rather dry as well,” Rhea said with obvious relief. “But I hesitated to say so for fear of revealing my complete ignorance regarding Mr. Conway’s work.”

“Is this the first time you’ve seen Conway perform? He’s been quite popular for the last several years. Do you not attend the theater regularly?” The surprise in Constance’s voice made Rhea pale, and Percy immediately realized the danger of answering the question.

“Rhea rarely visits London.”

“Then that explains your lack of familiarity with Conway’s work.” Constance nodded with understanding and smiled at Rhea.

“Where do you live when you’re not in London, Miss Bennett? Percy’s not been all that forthcoming when it comes to you.”

“I live with my aunt. Beatrice Fremont.”

“Fremont?” Constance frowned in contemplation. “The name sounds terribly familiar. Lucien, do you recall the name?”

“No, perhaps it was someone grandmother mentioned,” the earl said with a shrug.

“Perhaps.” A small frown furrowed Constance’s brow until a triumphant look brightened her features. “I remember now, Lord Foxworth was making inquiries about Mrs. Fremont at the party last weekend. I overheard Mrs. Delamere and Mrs. Harrington discussing a scandal involving Lord Foxworth—”

Constance abruptly stopped speaking, and Rhea looked at his sister in puzzlement before she glanced in his direction then back to Constance.

“A scandal?” Rhea asked with curiosity. “If it affects my aunt’s happiness with regard to Lord Foxworth I would like to know the truth of it.”

“I should not have mentioned it,” Constance sighed as she shook her head and lightly touched Rhea’s arm. “There’s rarely any truth to gossip, especially where those two women are concerned.”

The troubled look didn’t disappear from Rhea’s face, but she didn’t attempt to pursue the matter. When it became apparent she wasn’t going to persist in her queries, relief lightened Constance’s expression.

“I’ve enjoyed our time together this evening, Miss Bennett. I hope Percy will convince you to come to dinner again one night next week. This time my son will be put on notice with regards to any unexpected revelations.” Constance bit down on her lip. “And as I said earlier this evening, I apologize for Jamie’s comments the other night.”

“I know he meant no harm.” Rhea smiled reassuringly then glanced at Percy. “Your family’s…unusual talent must make it difficult for someone of Lord Westbury’s young age to hold his tongue. And his charm makes it quite easy to forgive him of any indiscretion.”

Percy stiffened as he recalled his resentment at his nephew’s attention to Rhea. The memory of Jamie’s flirtation still had the ability to irritate him, which made him feel like a fool. To be jealous of a boy—jealous. He’d been jealous of Jamie. An emotion he’d never experienced where any woman was concerned—until now. Constance glanced in his direction and tension latched onto him as if a noose had been placed around his neck. The knowing gleam in his sister’s eyes made his jaw flex and tighten. With great effort, he schooled his features into a blank mask.

“Yes, Jamie is most definitely a Rockwood,” Constance said with a small laugh then looked at Rhea in a pleading manner. “But, please say you’ll join us for dinner again next week.”

“I’m…I’m returning to the country Saturday morning. I’m uncertain when I’ll return,” Rhea said with a shake of her head. While she tried to hide it, Percy saw the flush of pleasure that crested in her cheeks at his sister’s persistent invitation.

“Then I’ll rely on Percy’s considerable charm to convince you to return quickly. Sebastian’s birthday ball for the family’s friends here in town is a week from Saturday. Hopefully Percy will be able to convince you to at least return for that event.”

Constance’s eyes were dark with an unspoken warning as she stared at him. The silent reminder of his bargain with Patience made him bite down on the inside of his cheek. The carriage suddenly rocked to a halt, and Percy experienced an overwhelming relief. Quickly exiting the vehicle, he extended his hand to his sister. Mischief curved Constance’s lips as he glared at her.

“You’re frowning again, Percy,” she murmured. As she offered her cheek for him to kiss, he shook his head in disgust.

“You’re as bad as Patience.” He kissed her cheek and nodded at his brother-in-law as the earl climbed out of the carriage. “How the devil do you live with her meddlesome nature, Lucien?”

“I love her.” The earl said with a grin as he met his wife’s happy gaze. With a sympathetic pat on Percy’s back, his brother-in-law tossed a nod in Constance’s direction. “But I shall attempt to talk some sense into her as to interfering in your personal affairs.”

Percy nodded his gratitude as Lucien escorted Constance up the steps to their front door. With a sense of doom, he climbed back into the carriage. Now he had to deal with the mess Constance had made. With a light tap on the window behind him, he signaled for the driver to take them to Sherrington House.

He had planned on gently easing his way into asking Rhea to attend Sebastian’s party. Unfortunately, his sister had made that rather difficult. Percy glanced at Rhea who was staring out the window. Silence hovered between them, broken only by the clip clop of horse hooves against the cobblestones. After a long moment, Percy leaned forward and cleared his throat. Amusement shimmered in her eyes as she turned her head to look at him.

“You don’t like it when your sisters tease you, do you?” Her accurate observation made him grimace.

“No, but I tolerate it, because I am equally merciless at times. But the truth is, I was more concerned about you.

“Me? Why?” Confusion made her tip her head to one side.