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“I did not accuse you.”
“You implied it, nevertheless.”
“I made an observation, sir.”
“That is far more dangerous.”
“Colonel Renforth does not send men across England because they require amusement.”
“You underestimate his concern for my moral welfare.”
“I doubt Colonel Renforth possesses concern for anyone’s amusement.”
Baines leaned slightly closer. “You have studied him?”
“I study everyone who enters this house.”
“And what have you concluded about me?”
Judith’s gaze travelled over him with deliberate insolence. He ought not have enjoyed it as much as he did.
“At present?” she queried.
“Please.”
“You are cleverer than you wish anyone to know.”
He held his smile in place.
“You arrived tired, but you concealed it,” she went on. “You pretend indifference whilst examining every doorway and every person who speaks. You deliberately missed your third billiard shot, though Edward did not notice. You have spoken to five guests in less than an hour and asked each one questions disguised as witty remarks.”
Baines stared. He had not known she was watching the billiards. She continued with devastating calm.
“You flirt because people become careless when flattered, and you allow men to believe themselves cleverer than you because they will then explain things you already understand.”
Silence opened between them. Baines felt something very close to delight. “How terribly unkind you are.”
“Was I wrong?”
“About the billiard shot.”
Her brows lifted.
“I missed the fourth deliberately. The third was incompetence.”
To his satisfaction, she laughed.
It was not loud; merely a short, startled sound before she recovered herself, and goodness, it changed her face.
Baines had spent years admiring beautiful women without difficulty. Beauty was common enough in London if one knew where to dine. Judith Finch’s smile made him want to provoke it again, which was absurd. He had work. She had secrets. He suspected that already. The question was, what sort?
“Miss Finch.”
They stood looking at each other for a fraction too long. Then Simmons appeared. “Miss Finch, Lord Cranford wishes to know whether his hunters have returned.”
Judith closed her eyes. Baines bit the inside of his cheek. “They were recovered an hour ago.”
“Yes, miss.”
