page27 (1/2)

“Possibly,” he evaded, dragging his mind back to the point of his visit “Since the weather is so lovely this , before you are kept indoors by the others ill be coht I invite you both to take a turn in the garden?”

If he could coax theht be able to stroll Miss Antinori far enough ahead to be able to deliver his warning without Mrs Randall overhearing

“Is it not still rather chilly?” Mrs Randall asked

“Not excessively,” Will replied

“A walk sounds ra said “Or—if you would rather not, Mrs Randall, I’m sure Lizzie would accompany me I know you have letters to finish and you probably will not have an opportunity to do so once other guests start arriving”

Bravo, Miss Antinori, Will thought, as cheered by her intervention as he was by the perception that she seee in a more intimate chat

Mrs Randall’s doubtful expression brightened “Indeed, I would like to finish these If Lizzie ith you, you o”

“Excellent Give ladly accoraceful curtsey, Miss Antinori walked from the room

He was rewarded for his efforts in ht conversation with her ti in her wake Will’s appreciation for the servant increased when, as soon as they reached the graveled paths of the s theht as they strolled down the allées of neatly clipped boxwood but re a sufficient distance away that they would be able to converse in private

With Miss Antinori beside hihtened The awareness that rioted through hiradually cal that settled in his loins and radiated with the beat of his heart to every extremity For a fewhis le her away from Mrs Randall

Before he could order his thoughts, though, she said, “Ithe attention of the crowd last night And your selection! ’Twas a sheer delight to have that particular work performed so beautifully”

“The maestro wrote it for your mother, did he not?”

Her eyes widened “You knew?”

“I read the notes on the score I hoped it would please you”

She took a deep breath, her eyes sheening as she looked up at him “It did”

Before Will could pledge to play any piece she wanted, whenever she wanted, if she would but gaze at hi her face, she tossed her head and laughed shakily

“I must coht tone breaking the aze never left …where they should not Perhapssome effect after all”

Accepting with a rueful smile the distance she’d put back between them, he tucked her hand ain rather than deliver the warning he felt coret to disabuse you of that optimistic assessment, but the fact that I was so proper should have warned you that I’d been distracted by some dire event”

Her expression i, then? An illness or death in your family?”

He laughed shortly “Nothing of that sort Indeed, I hardly have any relations whose demise would cause me distress, save Lady Domcaster and her family, ere quite well as of yesterday I’er to someone to whom I am not related You”

Eyebrows lifting in surprise, she tilted her head up “Me, in soer?”

Briefly Will related what Sapphira had proposed Rather than the tears or wails of alarm he’d braced himself for, Miss Antinori stopped short and stared at hi her eyes

“She actually enticed you to ruin me? Why, that despicable vixen! Little as I like her, I’o that far”