4. Chapter Four

H ugh paused in the act of winding the newly placed clock. If the viscount and Mr. Woodbury thought Hugh was going to say anything about the incident, they were touched in the head. Whether or not the lady wanted to be termed one, he was going to treat her as such.

He finished winding the clock, set the pendulum swinging, then closed the casing with a satisfying clink. Giving the clock a nod, he turned to face the room’s occupants. “I say your clock appears to be working perfectly, but let us know if you notice an issue with its calibration.”

Silence greeted his statement, broken only by the light ticking of the newly repaired gears. Moments later, the small bell rang in the half hour. As the chime faded, Hugh fought to keep his expression stoic and his gaze off Miss Woodbury.

If he offered them nothing but blandness, they would hopefully drop the subject. Like the moment in the square, this was not the sort of interaction that was going to gain him anything.

A crooked grin slowly spread across the viscount’s face. “Glad to hear it.” His eyebrows rose. “Now. If you please, whose version of the kite attack story corroborates with your own telling?”

Hugh’s gaze cut to Miss Woodbury before he could stop the instinct. She was twisted in her seat, peering at him over the back of the couch. What was his best path forward here?

The young woman groaned. “Why couldn’t Aunt Elizabeth have had a daughter? Then I wouldn’t have to spend so much time with the two of you.”

“Come now, darling cousin. If I’d had a little sister, there’d simply have been two of you toddling along after us boys. And if I’d been born a girl, well, this entire house would now belong to my far more beastly cousin, George.”

Miss Woodbury looked rather like she wanted to have the whole lot sent to this beastly George now but would settle for bashing her cousin in the head with a cushion.

Hugh rather wished she would. The distraction would allow them all to forget his presence, or at least that they’d asked him a question.

She didn’t lob a cushion at the man, though, and soon three pairs of questioning eyes were turned back onto Hugh.

“Frankly,” he said slowly, measuring his words so as to appease his influential audience, “I believe the truth lies somewhere in the middle.”

There. That should be diplomatic enough.

Lord Eversly’s grin widened into a full-blown smile as he considered Miss Woodbury. “So there was a little bit of screaming.”

“Must we continue this discussion of kites? I grow weary of it.” She sighed and shifted to sit straight in her seat once more, giving Hugh her back.

He should probably feel slighted by the move, but his lungs were too thankful for the return of easy breathing to care.

Lord Eversly dropped onto the seat beside his cousin. “We can discuss Mr. Lockhart instead. How long was this clinging? Do I need to call him out? Kites at dawn, perhaps?”

Hugh tried not to laugh, truly he did. But with most of the attention no longer directed his way, his guard had relaxed too much, and a light snicker escaped. He got it under control quickly, but probably not fast enough to escape the notice of this particular group.

“Oh, bother,” Miss Woodbury said with a sigh. “Please come join us, Mr. Lockhart. If you’re going to be a part of this conversation, we can’t have you lurking about.”

Hugh opened his mouth to defend himself, but snapped it shut again as he moved to round the settee and stepped into view. These people apparently had no concept of letting a professional man go about his work in peace. “I meant no disrespect, milad—er, I mean, miss.”

Pink slashed across Miss Woodbury’s cheekbones and slowly deepened until the splotches were nearly red.

The other two men watched her with varying degrees of amusement. Hugh wanted to come to her defense because she did seem terribly outnumbered, but he could hardly reprimand a viscount, and even if Mr. Woodbury was a mere gentleman and not the heir-presumptive to a dukedom, he still outranked Hugh.

“You corrected him, didn’t you?” Mr. Woodbury asked.

Lord Eversly chuckled. “I thought Mother had convinced you to accept the respect while in London.”

Miss Woodbury opened her mouth, closed it, opened it once more, then seemed to melt into a flop against the back of the settee.

Suddenly, Mr. Woodbury jerked to a standing position, one finger jabbing mightily toward the ceiling. “I’m the commander!” His hand turned until the finger was pointing toward Miss Woodbury. “And I have a question.”

“We have company,” she replied in a desperate-sounding rush.

“I have it on good authority that this man is no one.”

Lord Eversly frowned at Hugh. “You called yourself no one?”

“Actually, Lady Eversly referred to me as no one, if we want to put a fine point on it.” Why, oh, why had he corrected the aristocrat?

The maybe-someday-might-be aristocrat grinned. “And he had a right fine sense of humor about it.” He looked at his sister. “Now. Question. Can you honestly tell us you weren’t just the tiniest bit frightened by the kite attack today?”

Hugh couldn’t stand by anymore. This exchange had already passed propriety, so what did it matter if he kept going? He didn’t have a sister, but he had a cousin of a similar age that he was close to, and he knew well the teasing such relationships endured. He could not consider himself a gentleman if he didn’t at least attempt to come to Miss Woodbury’s aid. Lady or not, she wasn’t his sister or cousin and participating in this farce, even as a spectator, felt wrong.

“I believe,” he said with his heart pounding mightily in his chest, “that anyone would be at least momentarily afraid until they knew precisely what it was that was wrapping about them.” He pressed a hand to his chest. “I know I would be.”

Mr. Woodbury frowned at Lord Eversly. “Do we have rules about allowing someone else to answer a question for you?”

Lord Eversly shrugged, but his grin was wide. “I think it’s grounds for issuing a command.”

Miss Woodbury sputtered. “That’s not fair! I didn’t ask him to answer for me.”

“So you were afraid?” Mr. Woodbury pressed.

“As he said, it was a startling experience and as my vision was limited by Mother and Aunt Elizabeth, it was some time before I could ascertain that it was a kite.”

Mr. Woodbury tapped his chin thoughtfully. “I’m still issuing a command.”

“Of course you are.” Miss Woodbury deflated with a sigh.

Hugh took an involuntary step toward the group. “I beg your pardon, but are you playing Questions and Commands?” He’d heard of the game, of course, had even played it a few times as a child, but he’d always considered it something more for the schoolroom than the drawing room, unless of course the party intended to court a scandal or two.

“Yes,” Miss Woodbury said as she glared at her brother. “The game has been going on for years. We rotate the role of commander each month, and I haven’t been forced to perform a command in over two years.”

Lord Eversly shrugged. “’Twas an accomplishment that had to fall sometime.” He reached out a finger and tweaked her nose. “Living such an open book life means you need a little excitement, anyway.”

“Perhaps London will remove my inhibitions. It certainly has done so for—”

“As the commander,” Mr. Woodbury announced, drowning out the end of his sister’s sentence, “I declare that you, my dear sister, have to fly a kite.” The man looked immensely proud of himself.

Lord Eversly laughed. “That’s brilliant.”

“Need I remind you two that we are in London? And quite near to Mayfair? Even a child flying a kite, like one was today, is an anomaly in this part of town. We are no longer children frolicking carefree about the countryside.”

Lord Eversly shuddered. “You sound like my mother.”

Hugh had already become too familiar with this family and absolutely should have kept his mouth shut so as not to embroil himself any deeper into their squabble.

Despite this resolve, it was his own voice that filled the room as a response. “You could go a little ways north or east.”

“North, I understand, though the sheep herders might have something to say.” Lord Eversly frowned. “But why east? That’s further into London.”

Hugh swallowed. In for a penny . . . “At this time of day, most of the residents won’t be home if you can get into a place such as Bloomsbury Square. The residents are primarily professionals. There’s also Lincoln’s Inn fields.”

Hugh all but held his breath. It didn’t matter how friendly an aristocratic family seemed to be. They would still consider themselves too far above Hugh’s station to allow him to truly participate in a private conversation, particularly one as personal as this seemed to be. He should make his professional goodbyes and get out of here.

Yet he didn’t. He stayed, watching as Miss Woodbury glared at the two grinning men.

“Perfect!” Mr. Woodbury clapped his hands together and rubbed them with glee. “Have we time to go now? Ambrose, call for your carriage.”

Hugh winced in sympathy as Miss Woodbury rose to her feet with a beleaguered sigh. Obviously, she knew when to fight with her brother and when to give in.

Hat dangling from one hand, Hugh stepped closer to her. “Please accept my apologies, Miss Woodbury. I wasn’t thinking when I offered the suggestion. I’m certain it would still be inappropriate, as there is no guaranteeing access or privacy.”

She shook her head, mouth pressed into a thin, resigned line. “Do not trouble yourself. They are too stubborn to let this go now and will have me on the green outside if we do not let them try elsewhere. Normally, they bandy their ludicrous commands at each other, but I suppose they couldn’t resist the novelty of tossing one my way.”

“Ah.” Hugh shifted his weight from foot to foot. This was uncharted waters for him. “Might I be of assistance in another way, then?”

“This is hardly your doing.” She frowned up at him. “Marmaduke’s retelling would only have been worse if you’d not been in the room. He probably would have attempted to reenact the entire thing. The man truly should have considered the stage instead of the pitch.”

“I . . . see.” Hugh glanced over at the men. The Duke reference from earlier must have been a familial shortening of the name Marmaduke. It was a nickname that could cause a great deal of confusion, but a family playing Questions and Commands for years on end was hardly conventional. He’d remember this day for a long time. “I should take my leave.”

He moved toward the door but stopped when Miss Woodbury stepped up beside him. “Thank you, by the way.”

All resentment seemed to have melted away, and she wore a soft smile that brought a spark of beauty to the simplicity of her current appearance.

The imbalance Hugh suddenly felt had to be evident on his face as he asked, “What for?”

“Why, saving me from that dreadful kite, of course.”

Of course. She’d hardly be thanking him for his part in forcing her to fly a kite in the middle of London. The events of a mere hour ago felt days old, though.

“It was my honor.” He executed his most courtly bow. He may not spend a lot of time in ballrooms, but he knew how to respect those that paid his bills. The urge to gently lift her hand and kiss the air over her knuckles nearly sent him tumbling headfirst to the carpet, and he swung himself upright so fast that spots momentarily danced in his vision.

What was wrong with him? This wasn’t a dance at an assembly room, and he hadn’t been invited over for tea. The strange behavior of the viscount and his cousin must have addled Hugh’s mind.

He strode for the door, intent on removing himself from the situation.

“Where are you going?” Mr. Woodbury asked as Hugh reached the exit of the room.

Helplessly, Hugh gestured toward the space beyond the open door. “Ah, I was—”

“You should come with us.” The viscount was talking to Hugh, but he was grinning at Miss Woodbury.

Mr. Woodbury slung a companionable arm across Hugh’s shoulders. “When was the last time you flew a kite?”

“I . . . don’t rightly know.”

Hugh had moved from uncharted territory to a place that wasn’t even marked with a Here there be dragons on the map. What was happening?

“Yes, you should join us,” Miss Woodbury added, her voice dry enough that Hugh couldn’t tell if she meant the sentiment or not.

Mr. Woodbury leaned in to speak in a low voice. “It’s been years since she flew a kite. She might need saving again.”

“And you two would simply let it take me to the ground?” Miss Woodbury shook her head. “How chivalrous.”

“You can show us the way,” Lord Eversly added. “Don’t know that I’ve ever been to that part of London.”

Hugh stared at the viscount, attempting to assess the true intentions behind his seeming friendliness. Was Hugh meant to treat him as if they were equals? He tested the waters by saying, “Isn’t that the job of your coachman?”

Lord Eversly grinned. “I’m rather adept at pretending otherwise when it suits me.”

Ten minutes later, after witnessing more teasing banter than he’d been privy to since his own childhood, Hugh found himself tucked into a black carriage next to Lord Eversly as they rolled through London. Miss Woodbury sat directly across from him, her expression fluctuating between emotions so frequently that he couldn’t begin to guess what she was feeling.

Annoyed? Interested? Excited? Maybe a little of all three? They were going off to fly a kite in the middle of London, after all. That was hardly a daily occurrence.

At least, not in his world.

He’d not have expected it to be part of her world either. She seemed a little too straitlaced for such frivolity. Despite her seemingly serious demeanor, though, she’d been playing an ongoing game of Questions and Commands with her brother. What did that mean?

He shook his head. All it meant was that she was a human with all the complicated nuances that came along with being such.

The deep cushions and well-maintained springs of the viscount’s carriage cushioned him from all the normal bumps and jostles of London’s roads. The shades that were partially lowered didn’t possess a tear that sent sunlight spearing directly into a passenger’s eyes. Never had he realized a carriage could provide such a comfortable journey.

When had he last ridden in a private carriage? Had he ever done so? A hired hack, yes, and an occasional post-chaise, but he couldn't recall a single privately owned carriage.

His three companions spoke comfortably as they rolled down the road, though the men were more jovial than Miss Woodbury. Whatever myriad of emotions she’d been feeling earlier, she seemed nothing but perturbed when they came to a stop.

London was calmer and quieter out here, away from the bustling social maneuvering of Mayfair and the shopping districts. In the evening, the residential square beyond the carriage window would fill with gentlemen, solicitors, and the wealthier tradesmen, all returning home from their daily labors. Now it was nearly empty, with only a handful of people from the nearby residences going about their business.

It was hardly dismal or disheveled, but that scattering of people on the street still craned their necks at the sight of a fine, private carriage, particularly one bearing an aristocratic coat of arms.

Miss Woodbury slid down into the seat and away from the window. “Why didn’t we bring your unmarked carriage?”

Lord Eversly gave her a blank-faced look. “Because my only unmarked conveyance is a two-man curricle?”

“Our cousin likes to feel important.” Mr. Woodbury bumped his shoulder against hers. “You know that.”

Lord Eversly rolled his eyes. “That importance is what is going to get us into this square.”

“So you intend to impress a gentleman, not charm a lady?”

“Why would I do that?” Lord Eversly grinned and swung the carriage door open before jumping out to land lightly on his feet. He tossed a mischievous look over his shoulder to his carriage companions. “Charm is ever so much more fun.”

As Miss Woodbury was still huffing in offense—though Hugh wasn’t certain how genuine it was—Lord Eversly went to chat with a couple of women near the locked square gate.

Mr. Woodbury also exited the carriage and set about extracting a kite from beneath the vehicle’s seat.

That left Hugh to climb out and offer the unattended Miss Woodbury assistance in exiting the vehicle. While he was somewhat offended on her behalf to be slighted by the two higher-ranking gentlemen, she didn’t seem at all surprised by the way events were playing out.

Instead, her focus seemed to be on the area around them. “It’s quiet here. Who lives in these buildings?”

Hugh stood beside her, looking around at the simple but elegant homes and the clean but quiet streets. “Solicitors. Architects. A few second and third sons making their livelihoods in business. Not anyone you’re likely to encounter during a Season.”

He couldn’t read her features well enough to know her thoughts on the matter. She might be disdainful of the lower surroundings, curious about people who had to actually work for a living, or bored because the adventure had worn thin and now she wanted to go home.

Or maybe her face just looked like that.

“A penny for your thoughts.”

She blinked and jerked as if she’d completely forgotten he was there.

“Apologies,” Hugh said with a nod. “I didn’t mean to startle you.” He took a half step away from her. He needed to remember his place in this little group, which was convenient interloper. He was not a part of their friendship, nor a player in their outing. He was simply the man who knew where a woman of gentle breeding could fly a kite and not ruin her reputation.

In this area of town, anyone who saw them was far more likely to shake their head and mutter about aristocrats than seek out the writer of the local gossip rag. Especially for someone as socially insignificant as the cousin of a viscount.

“Come along then! Let’s fly a kite.” Lord Eversly stood at the entrance to the square, holding open the gate as the two ladies walked on, occasionally glancing back over their shoulder at him and giggling.

Mr. Woodbury shook his head and walked into the square, but Miss Woodbury stopped in front of the viscount. “What did you say?”

Lord Eversly frowned. “I said you wanted to fly a kite.”

Her eyes narrowed. “That’s it?”

He used a hand to turn her toward the square and ushered her inside. Hugh followed behind, easing the gate nearly closed behind him, but not shutting it since they didn’t have a key to let them out when they were finished.

“Do you think I’m walking around promising to marry women in return for small favors and then breaking their hearts when it’s over?”

“I hadn’t thought that, but now I am. However did you come up with such an idea?”

He sighed. “Your father. He’s almost as disapproving of me as you are.” Lord Eversly put his hands on Miss Woodbury’s shoulder and pushed her into the square. “Now go fly a kite.”

She walked to the middle of the grass and took the fabric and sticks from her brother. “I shall remind you lot one more time that we are no longer children. We would do better to find more elevated conversation and activities to occupy our time.”

“Have you intentions of being a governess one day? Because that was a perfect imitation of one.” Lord Eversly took the kite from her hands and handed her the string instead. “Off you go now. A command is a command.”

Hugh leaned his shoulder against one of the trees scattered about in a corner grouping and watched as the little family cluster walked to the center of the green space.

For several long minutes, they looked from the kite to the air and then about the square as they spoke in hushed tones. Were they coming to their senses? That was something of a shame, as this had been certain to be one of the most entertaining spectacles Hugh had seen in a while.

Finally, Lord Eversly turned to Hugh. “I say, Mr. Lockhart. Have you any remembrance of how to actually fly one of these?”