Beautiful Things: Chapter 24

If Rosalie thought Lord James might be embarrassed to meet with her again, dinner quickly put him to the test, for they were seated next to each other. Not only that, but Burke was seated on her other side.

“Good evening, my lord,” she murmured as Lord James drew out her chair. “I trust you had a productive day in the village?”

“Aye, it was,” he replied. “Thank you, Miss Harrow.” He sat quickly next to her and took a sip of his wine the moment the footman filled his glass.

She fought to control her smile and realized with a jolt that Burke was busy doing the same.

“Come now, man,” Burke muttered, leaning in so close she could smell the fresh soap of his hair. “Don’t make this awkward for the lady. So, she saw you naked. Let’s acknowledge it and move on—”

“Burke—” Lord James hid his mouth behind his napkin. “Take your own damn advice, for it is who are discomfiting her.”

Rosalie just smiled. She wanted to join in their teasing. Would they let her? Only one way to find out. “Don’t take this the wrong way, sirs, but I’m afraid you’ll have to do much more than appear naked to discomfit me.”

“Saints alive,” Burke breathed. “What else must we do?”

She met his gaze, noting the way it narrowed on her. To be an object of his interest felt somehow even more thrilling than braving a storm. He leaned in until his shoulder brushed hers, the corner of his mouth tipped into a grin. She wanted to trace it with her finger…

She blinked, taking control of herself again. Heavens, but attention from this man was heady. How did all the other women dare show him such disdain? “That’s hardly appropriate dinner conversation, Mr. Burke,” she said, recovering her wits. “Please restrict your interests to my accomplishments and my opinions on Fordyce’s Sermons.”

Burke choked on a laugh as he set down his glass of wine. He leaned in again, voice low. “The day I waste a moment of your time asking your opinion on Fordyce’s Sermons is the day I’ll eat James’ pocket watch.”

From her other side, she felt rather than saw Lord James smile. Burke had spoken loud enough for him to hear their exchange. But the Lord’s attention was quickly snagged by the countess, who sat to his opposite side. She dragged him into a conversation on new farming equipment that Rosalie only heard in bits and pieces.

They settled into their first course of veal collops with white sauce. Rosalie noted the mixed seating arrangement down the table. Each night the duke found himself winged by eligible ladies. Tonight, Lady Olivia finally had her turn, while Elizabeth sat to his other side. Next to Elizabeth sat Lieutenant Renley, and on his other side was young Mariah. He looked miserable as Mariah tried to enchant him with her silly stories. And he kept casting a wary eye across the table, as if trying to catch the attention of Burke or Lord James.

“Your friend looks ill, sir,” she murmured to Burke.

Burke glanced down the table with a frown. She noted the way the two men seemed to have a silent conversation with just their eyes. Something was wrong. She could tell by the way Burke’s shoulders tensed, by the way Lieutenant Renley’s eyes narrowed and his jaw clenched.

“He’s fine.” Burke tore his eyes away. “No doubt the fatigue of the day.”

Rosalie nodded, even though she was sure that didn’t explain the lieutenant’s attitude. Something was most certainly wrong.

Burke’s eye kept darting down the table. She leaned in, watching him watch his friend. “Can I ask you a question, Mr. Burke?”

Her voice pulled his attention fully back to her. “I thought we were dispensing with formalities?” he said.

“Perhaps I’m not yet used to it after such a short acquaintance,” she replied. “Most men must earn the comfort of familiar names with a lady.”

He smiled at her subtle jab. “Ask your question…should I brace for impact?”

Now that she had this chance with him, she couldn’t waste it. Especially not while the lieutenant was so clearly agitated. “Why are you so determined to make the lieutenant a match from among these ladies when you and I both know his heart already belongs to another?”

Burke’s smile fell and he slowly lowered his knife and fork. “Christ, but you’re observant,” he murmured.

“Hmm, and cautious too,” she added. She leaned closer, careful that only he should hear her. “I don’t like being set out on a fool’s errand. Why would I help you secure a lady’s affections for the lieutenant when his own affections are firmly engaged elsewhere?”

“You observant,” he repeated, “but you don’t have all the facts…and we shouldn’t speak about this here.” He gave a pointed look to his left.

She glanced over his shoulder to see his other seat mate was Sir Andrew, and beyond him sat the marchioness. “Then when and where?” she pressed. “For until I have all the information, I’ll not be helping you snare one of these ladies.”

He frowned, glancing down the table again at the lieutenant. “Let me speak with Tom after dinner. If he’s agreeable to it, we’ll tell you everything tomorrow.”

She raised a brow. “And if he is not agreeable?”

He smiled. “Well, then I’ll just have to risk Poseidon’s wrath and tell you anyway.”