How to Be a Proper Lady

to her mouth, where his gaze lingered on the spot beneath her lower lip. She could feel the memory of his tongue there. It made her knees watery. It made her lashes dip.

“Jin, I am sorry to be so contrary,” she said on a little rush.

“Viola, I misspoke earlier.” His voice seemed hoarse. “I cannot remain here long. My ship… You see…”

Her nerves shimmered. “Is it berthed in London?”

“Yes.” His chest rose on a breath.

She gripped the doorjamb behind with trembling fingers. “Are Matthew and Billy and Matouba there as well?”

“Yes. I am expected shortly in Malta.”

“Malta?” No. No. How could he look at her like this now and speak of going so far away? Without her? She shook her head.

“Viola, I-”

“I hope I am not interrupting?”

Jin turned to the baron, but she could not tear her attention from him. His eyes did not look normal, and her heart did not feel normal, and she wanted to know what he’d been about to say. On her ship this interruption would not happen. But she couldn’t very well flash the baron a sparkling smile and order him to hare off deck.

“My lord.” Jin bowed.

“I am glad to find opportunity to speak with you in private, Mr. Seton.” The baron’s soft brown eyes were not so soft now. He took her hand and clamped it beneath his arm. “You brought my daughter home to us. I thank you for it most sincerely.”

“It was my honor, sir.”

“I understand that you are a sailor.” He said the word like it tasted a bit sour.

“Yes, sir.”

“And that you have known my son-in-law many years, since you were both quite young.”

“I have.”

Viola’s gaze snapped to Jin’s face, but his attention was fixed on the baron. He hadn’t told her this.

“Now that you’ve settled my daughter back in the bosom of her family, the Admiralty must have need of you again.” A chary glint lit the baron’s eyes.

“I sail shortly for the Eastern Mediterranean. Your daughter was gracious to my crewmen on the journey to England,” he said so smoothly she nearly believed it herself. “I was just now conveying to her their best wishes.”

“Then you will be leaving Savege Park soon, before the winter weather becomes troublesome on the sea. A brief visit only.” His head bobbed in satisfaction. “But I am glad to have had the opportunity to convey to you my gratitude.”

Jin bowed again.

“There is the butler,” the baron said in a lighter tone. “Dinner is served, and thanks to you, Mr. Seton, I have the pleasure of taking in my daughter on my arm.” He smiled warmly at her and drew her away. She cast Jin a backward glance, but he had turned his attention onto the terrace again.

Not the terrace, in fact. He was staring beyond, at the sea.

Chapter 23

Lady Justice

In Care of Brittle & Sons, Printers

London

Dearest lady,

Enclosed in this modest package find not a kettle of edibles nor another portrait of yourself (with a tail). I see how those trinkets of my affection may have missed the tide. I give to you now only that which any gentleman admirer might give to a lady: poetry. Samuel Taylor Coleridge, to be precise. I offer it because having received back all the gifts I have sent you, I need guidance as to what you may accept from me as gift. Quoth the Ancient Mariner:

If he may know which way to go;

For she guides him smooth or grim.

See, brother, see! how graciously

She looketh down on him.

My lady, looketh down on me with gracious mercy and return not this humble gift.

Yours &c,

Peregrine

Secretary, The Falcon Club

To Peregrine, at large:

You preen. You strut. You will be plucked. Then I will have only this to say to you, “The game is done! I’ve won! I’ve won!”

Lady Justice

Chapter 24

Mr. Yale departed the following day. Viola went with him into the foyer, where he took her hand and lifted it close to his lips but did not kiss it.

“It has been a remarkable pleasure, Miss Carlyle. I hope to see you in town anon.”

“Thank you. You have been very kind.”

“Kindness has little to do with it.”

“I don’t think you know what it has to do with.” She twisted her lips. “That was inelegantly said. Or at least grammatically unclear, I think. And after all your coaching.”

“You are charming, Miss Carlyle.”

“I still have not mastered which glass is meant for which beverage or how to fasten my garters.”

“Or apparently which matters are inappropriate to discuss with a gentleman.” His gray eyes twinkled. “But, no worry. A footman will always see to the former, and another man altogether is no doubt quite happy about the latter.”

Her cheeks warmed.

He grinned. “Do you know, I believe I will kiss your hand after all. I mayn’t be allowed in the future.”

She snatched her fingers away. He chuckled, donned his hat, and left.

Lady Emily stood in the doorway to the foyer and came forth now. She wore spectacles the color of her short silvery-gold hair, and carried a book.

“Has he gone for good?” Her voice was unusually bright.

“Yes. He likes to tease you. Why is that?”

“Because he hasn’t a thought in his head. I prefer Mr. Seton. He does not plague a woman with idiotic banter trying to pass it off as conversation.”

Since their frustrating conversation on the terrace, Mr. Seton had not plagued Viola with any conversation at all. She had not seen him to be plagued or to plague in return.

“Mr. Seton is taciturn,” she mumbled.

“No. He is a thinking man, Miss Carlyle. Such men are not to be dismissed as merely taciturn.”

“A thinking man?”

“He reads.” She opened her book as though searching for something in it. “ ‘Words frighten not him who