by Loyd, Sandy
“Guilty as charged,” he countered, keeping his smile in place. “You can still call me Simon.”
“If I were but thirty years younger, I’d take you up on your charm.”
“Surely you’re jesting?” He placed his hand over his heart, acting shocked.
“That one earned you the right to call me Minnie.” Her laugh took on a girlish quality, clearly saying she relished each word.
“Why, where did this fine-looking gentleman come from?”
Simon glanced toward the voice as a woman who looked to be Minnie’s twin walked up.
“Oh, Maizie, come meet Mr. Harrington.” Turning from her sister to him, a flush of color rose from Minnie’s neck to her forehead and she stammered, “I mean Simon. Gus just informed me he’ll be staying with us for a while.”
“And who is this lovely creature?” Simon bowed and smiled, pouring the same charm on Maizie.
“Oh, go on with you,” Maizie gushed, blushing profusely and slapping at his arm, no more immune to his ploys than her sister. “You’re a brazen one.”
Enjoying the women’s reactions, Simon shot back, “Brazen enough to spot two pretty ladies and realize how lucky I am to be able to have dinner with them.”
“Oh my. He is a charmer, isn’t he, Minnie?”
“Yes, he’s already earned the right to call me Minnie,” she said, chuckling. “I take it he’s also earned the right to call you Maizie.”
“Yes, definitely.” Maizie smiled warmly, transforming her face from a dour-looking horse to an almost attractive woman. She held out her hand. “I’m Maizie Young, Mr. Harrington.”
Grinning, Simon brought her fingers to his lips, kissing them as he’d done Minnie’s, and then after releasing her hand, he murmured, “It’s Simon.”
Maizie smoothed back imaginary stray hairs on her head, patting her tight bun and clearing her throat, appearing totally flustered. Simon’s eyes held hers and her blush deepened. When she could finally get the words out, she said, “Well, Simon. I see Minnie has you all taken care of. I look forward to seeing you at dinner.”
“Until then, ladies.” Simon bowed. “If you will excuse me, I think I’ll go and freshen up before I get to work.”
The two women stood, silently watching him enter his room and close his door.
~~
“Now there goes a charmer,” Minnie said.
Yes.” Maizie gazed at the door and answered with a dreamy expression in her eyes, “A true gentleman. They don’t make them like that anymore.”
Minnie laughed. “No, they don’t and it’s just as well. We wouldn’t know what to do with him. So it’s also just as well he’s too young for us.”
Simon’s exploits gave the two women fodder for discussion—enough to keep them talking for the rest of the afternoon.
Chapter 10
Simon used the time between freshening up and dinner to work in the library, mostly reviewing the information Caroline Hillier had given him. From her ledgers, he was able to discern seven men who merited checking out. He was in the process of writing out his list of names when the door opened.
Glancing up from the desk, his breath caught in his throat at the goddess before him, wearing some silky red confection and appearing to be the most feminine beauty he’d ever seen. His gaze wouldn’t budge as she floated over to the bookshelf.
Absorbed in browsing, Giselle didn’t notice him. Simon lounged back in the chair, totally mesmerized, unable to look away. He cleared his throat and finally found his voice. “Dare I hope I’m the cause for such an occasion?”
Startled out of her thoughts, Giselle turned toward the desk, her eyes big as saucers, confusion taking over her expression. “What are you talking about?”
“I see you take dressing for dinner seriously. I’d like to think I’m the reason.”
His meaning hit her, exposed in the smile lighting her face. “Surely you flatter yourself, Simon.” Amusement resonated clearly in every syllable. “I dress for dinner every night. I refuse to dress down just because you are here. My sister creates the most spectacular gowns and I love to wear them.”
“I see.” He allowed his gaze a slow journey over her body, starting at the top of her head, traveling downward before moving back up and meeting her eyes. Simon’s grin was quick as he added, “So I’m not someone you’re trying to lure into your net tonight by wearing that confection?”
Her spontaneous giggle broke free. “Non, Simon.”
“It’s good you’re not using the strategy, because it wouldn’t work.”
“Well, rest assured I am not trying to lure you anywhere, so you are safe from me.” A slight blush of pink moved up her face, enchanting him, when she added with an impish gleam, “If you want, I will even sit far away from you so you will not be tempted.”
He chuckled. “A worse solution if I were bent on being lured, because then you’d more likely be stuck in my line of vision.”
“Well then, perhaps you would like to eat with the servants. I am sure they would be less distracting.” Then, in a thoroughly dismissive move, she picked up a book, glided over to a sofa about ten feet away, and sat. She made herself comfortable. After opening her book, she began to read, completely ignoring him.
Seconds ticked by as Simon watched her. Amused…at first. One minute led to two…then three…eventually leading to a dozen full minutes. The entire time he tried to focus on his work, yet the distraction of Giselle wearing the silk creation was too much. For a quarter of an hour he fought a mental battle. Finally, he asked with no attempt to keep his exasperation out of his tone, “What are you doing?”
She glanced up. “What do you mean, what am I doing? I should think it is obvious. I am reading.”
“I’m trying to work here,” he said in hopes of getting rid of her. “Can’t you read somewhere else?”
“I always read in here before dinner.” She gave an unconcerned shrug. “It is a big room. I do not see a problem. You are not bothering me.” She stopped and thought a full minute, then grinned. “Oh, I comprehend. I am bothering you! I did not realize how distracting someone who is reading can be.” She stopped again, and this time when she continued, her grin spread from ear to ear. “Still, I am not leaving.” Her attention returned to her book, as if to dismiss him entirely from her mind.
Simon eyed her intently before eventually leaning back in his chair and drumming his fingers on the desk. He scowled, not liking the fact that this bit of muslin could sit in front of him so calmly reading while his mind wouldn’t shut down. Her dress had his imagination working overtime. Only one thought kept coming up again and again—how long would it take to get her out of it.
He closed his eyes and sighed, rubbing his temple, wishing he’d stayed in Washington. In frustration, he wiped his face with his hands before chancing another glance at Giselle. Her expression hadn’t changed and she seemed engrossed in her book.
He got up from the desk and went over to the liquor cabinet. After taking out a glass, he poured himself a generous drink. When he turned back around, he noticed Giselle watching him.
“Would you care to join me?” He held the glass up, his eyebrows slanting in question.
“Yes, please. I would love a glass of sherry.” She smiled sweetly.
Simon grunted and rolled his eyes. Shaking his head, he poured the drink.
After handing off her drink, he sat down next to her, crowding her, sinking into the cushions as if totally relaxed, and took a liberal drink.
“What are you doing?”
Not missing the note of horror in her voice, Simon grinned into his glass as he brought it to his lips again. He mimicked her questioning look and said, “What do you mean? I should think it’s obvious. I’m enjoying my drink.”
Color rose to her cheeks. She indicated the desk with a nod. “Can you not do it over there?”
“Why? You’re not bothering me. I’m comfortable here. It’s a big sofa.” He waited for a handful of heartbeats before adding,
“I’m not bothering you, am I?”
“Non.” Her laugh was a little too contrived when she denied this, though. “You are right. It is a big sofa.”
She sat back and took a large swallow of her drink. She then put her glass on the table next to her and went back to her book, totally ignoring Simon. For almost half an hour she kept an innocent, bored expression on her face while she turned the pages of the book she was reading, every now and again reaching for her drink to sip.
The entire time, Simon sat stewing at how easily the little flirt dug under his skin. Hating how easily she’d dismissed him when he could think of nothing but her, he took another hefty gulp and mulled over his options. The safest tactic would be to retreat, simply get up from the sofa and leave her to her reading. But he couldn’t force himself to do it. She’d thrown down the gauntlet—one his male ego wouldn’t let him ignore.
He decided his best bet would be to try to rattle her. “I see you and Bradford are cozy. It didn’t take you long to have him totally at your feet.”
Her back stiffened slightly. She looked up from her book and said with the same bored expression on her face, “Non, Simon. As you saw, he is quite taken with me. It took only a couple of months.”
“Really? My, your game’s improving.”
“Oui, it is,” she agreed, flashing him a wry smile. “When I put my mind to it, I can be very persuasive.” She winked.
Incensed, jealousy overtook him. The thought of wiping the knowing smile off her face and showing her what he was good at, was overpowering. Tamping it down, he stood and finished his drink in one large swallow. He strode to the bar, slammed his glass on the counter, then stormed over to the desk and snatched his papers before heading for the exit without saying another word.
~~
Giselle bit back a smile and tried not to laugh. As he approached the door, she asked, “Was it something I said?”
Her answer was the door crashing shut with such force it shook the windows.
She sat against the sofa, a satisfied grin sneaking over her face. She took another swallow of her drink, pleased to note her ploy had driven him from the room. Not an easy feat, to be sure. His presence had put her senses on full alert the entire time she’d worked to annoy him. It was one thing to ignore Simon from across the room, but when he’d sat so close it had become next to impossible. She could still smell the scent of him—totally male—leaving her with the conclusion that she was wildly attracted to him.
Thankfully the attraction was not one-sided.
Non!
While Monsieur Harrington sat at Colin’s desk, he couldn’t keep his eyes from wandering in her direction when he thought she wasn’t looking. She sighed and took another sip. Things were working out in her favor.
Her ordeal with Bradford, and Simon’s surreptitious observation of their parting, had left her feeling rather melancholy. Not liking the feeling, she’d decided to do something to thwart it. Donning Marguerite’s creation had done the trick. She wasn’t sure she would actually be brave enough to wear the dress to dinner, knowing full well Simon would think exactly what he’d thought. Instead, she’d come downstairs to read, hoping to use the time to think of something to help solve her problem. What good fortune to find him in the room, even better when events had played out as they had.
Her grin stretched. Oui, things were definitely looking up.
She sighed.
Now if she could just maintain a level head until he left, she might come out of this whole episode unscathed.
Giselle looked up at the clock on the mantel. Since dinner wouldn’t be served for another forty-five minutes, she went back to her novel and actually began reading this time.
At 7:55 sharp, she placed her book on the table and rose from her spot in the library. She walked sedately toward the dining room.
Minnie and Maizie were just sitting down.
“Hello, dear.” Minnie nodded, spying Giselle’s entrance. “I take it you’ve met Simon? Gus informed us that he’s staying for a bit.”
“We have met.” Giselle looked about and moved to pull out a chair. “I notice he is not present yet. Maybe he will take my advice and eat with the servants.”
Both Minnie and Maizie dropped their jaws. Minnie spoke first. “Now, dear, I hope you weren’t rude to Simon. He’s the Thorpes’ guest and we should be welcoming. Telling him to eat with the servants isn’t being very nice.”
“Yes, dear,” Maizie agreed. “You’re acting hostess, so you must be pleasant.”
“Humph! The man could use some lessons on manners. I was only mirroring him.”
The two sisters eyed each other with knowing smiles and shrugged.
“I’m surprised you found him such,” Maizie said. “He’s been perfectly charming to both Minnie and me.”
“Well, I do not find him charming at all and will be perfectly happy when he leaves.”
Simon strode into the room with a minimum of movement. “I’m so sorry my visit is upsetting to you,” he said, obviously overhearing her comment. He walked to the chair next to her, before making himself comfortable. “I’ll try and stay out of your way as much as possible.”
The idea of him sitting so close, when there were several empty chairs around the table, irritated Giselle. He was clearly baiting her and she wasn’t about to let him get away with it. Schooling her features with the bored, blank look she knew he hated, she countered, “You flatter yourself, monsieur, if you think your visit bothers me.”
“It’s Simon.”
“Q’est-ce que ce? Excuse me?”
“My name is Simon.” A boyish grin spread across his face, highlighting his green eyes with mischief. “I expect you to use it. I thought we’d already established that small detail.”
Her mouth dropped open. She could only stare at him, trying to discern his new game. After a beat, she smiled sweetly and gushed, “Simon.”
“Good.” He chuckled. “Now that we understand each other, I think my visit will go better.” He then turned to Minnie and Maizie, fully dismissing her, and said, “So, how are you two lovely ladies doing this evening? Did you have a pleasant afternoon?”
The two sisters glanced at each other again, this time their look turning speculative.
“We had a wonderful afternoon,” Minnie said. “We took care of the children and while they were taking their naps, Maizie and I had a very pleasant walk.”
“How nice. Where did you walk,” Simon asked, his expression showing interest.
Minnie beamed, and obviously loving nothing better than to talk to someone who would listen, her answer took several minutes. For the next hour while servants served them, Simon listened to and asked questions of the two women, keeping the conversation going the entire time.
Giselle sat and watched the spectacle with a new appreciation for her adversary. He was so smooth, drawing both out and getting them to talk while adding nothing personal to the discussion. He did this all without effort, effectively excluding her in the process. What amazed her even more was that the women were totally smitten with Simon after his little performance.
When the meal was over, Simon rose. “Would you ladies like to play a game of cards in the library before turning in?”
“Oh, goodness no!” Minnie replied. “But thank you for asking. It’s much too late. After all, we both need our beauty sleep.” Turning to Giselle, she smiled. “Since you’re hostess, my dear, why don’t you go and play a game of cards with Simon.”
Simon turned to her with his eyebrows raised, sporting one very satisfied smirk. “Well, Giselle. I guess it’s just you and me. How about a game of cards?”
As he bent to pull her chair out, she said with more grace than she felt, “I guess I can spare the time before I turn in.”
How aggravating that Simon had her chaperones eating out of his hands. Giselle could see no way out of spending time with him without giving them more food for gossip. Usually the two old biddies were stationed right in the middle of
the sofa if she had another young man in the library after dinner. Yet here they were, just throwing her at Simon, leaving her to deal with him alone.
“Shall we?” His grin widened when he held out an arm to escort her from the room.
Mais, oui! He was definitely a worthy adversary and someone she needed to be wary of. Unfortunately, the fact only added to his appeal. Glancing at him now, wearing such a smug grin, she had to admit he was very attractive. He’d dressed for dinner, his formal attire fitting him like a second skin. Her feminine side appreciated the effect his masculinity had on her senses.
She shook her head, ignoring the excitement zinging through her system, and whispered to him while putting her hand on his elbow, “Why do I feel as if I have been set up?”
“Because you have, my dear,” he whispered back.
~~
The two chaperones stayed in their chairs as the couple departed.
When Giselle’s warm laughter rang in the air, Maizie said, “I think she may have met her match in that one. What do you think, Minnie?”
“I think you may be on to something, sister. He’ll definitely give her a good chase.”
Maizie’s smile deepened. “But who’s going to catch whom, do you think?”
Staring at the empty doorway, Minnie chuckled. “Now, that’s anyone’s guess.” She stood to help her sister. “Shall we?”
“I guess so. I just wish we didn’t have to go to bed so early. Couldn’t you have used some other excuse?”
“Not on such short notice. I simply wasn’t expecting the need to come up with one. None of her other beaux have asked us to join them.”
“That’s probably why he’s so perfect for her.” Maizie sighed. “He’s nothing like any of her other young men.”
“Come, my dear,” Minnie said, taking Maizie’s arm and walking from the table toward the door. “We can read in our rooms just as easily as we can in the library. Let’s let them work it out between themselves.”
“Are you sure we’re doing the right thing by leaving them alone together? I mean, I know it wasn’t really necessary all those other times, but this Simon seems so different. I hope she can handle him.”
