With Jonty involved in the play, Orlando must do his sleuthing alone. Meanwhile, Jonty finds himself sorely tempted by Jimmy’s undeniable allure. Even if Orlando solves the murder, his only reward could be burying his and Jonty’s love in an early grave…
“I’ve never had that pleasure.†Jimmy waited for Orlando to settle before he sat down. Jonty wondered if he were deliberately trying to unsettle him.
“Now there’s a woman who might well accost you physically, as some of her unwanted suitors might attest.†Nerves made Jonty’s tongue run on. “Or people she has affection for. She whacked Orlando just a week ago, for nothing worse than scientific experimentation.â€
“Then I hope she’ll do me the honour of a clip around the ear. You’re a lucky man, Orlando.†If Jimmy hadn’t realised what effect his words were having on Coppersmith, Jonty had. Embarrassment and anger were fighting for mastery on Orlando’s face and in his voice.
Jonty changed the subject to transatlantic travel and the meal went as well as might have been expected, for a while. Orlando tried to remember his manners and not be too antagonistic to Jimmy, as Jonty would no doubt get the hump if he made it too clear he wanted to punch the man. At least he could contribute to a discussion on the virtues of the great liners, and modern transport in general, rather than being made to feel an idiot when they talked about the Bard.
By the time they reached the port and coffee, which they chose to take in the lounge, a superficial degree of mellowness existed among the company, although volcanic emotions still seethed in Orlando’s breast.
Fate intervened in the form of an old suitor of Mrs. Stewart’s who spotted Jonty, cut him out from his friends, then took him off for a chat regarding the latest doings of the fragrant Helena, which unfortunately left the other two alone.
“You seem very self-assured, Mr. Harding.†Orlando had been waiting for his moment to confront this man. With Jonty temporarily occupied, and his spirits emboldened by the wine, he seized the moment.
“I usually feel confident, Dr. Coppersmith. I’ve been lucky enough in my life to do many things which people have said weren’t possible. I rise to a challenge, you might say.†Jimmy raised his glass and stared through it, admiring the gentle red colour. “And when I want to do something, I make a point of seeing that I’m successful. I guess that success breeds self-belief.â€
Cocky swine. Orlando gave the man an icy stare. “Do you achieve everything you want? Doesn’t that make life fairly lacklustre?â€
“On the contrary, it makes my life a constant delight. And yes, I do tend to get what I want, especially if I want it a lot.†He cast his gaze around the dining room, as if looking for something he might take a shine to, let his glance alight on Jonty, linger and then sweep on.
Orlando swallowed hard. There had been an edge to what the man said that chilled him—despite everything that Jonty had averred the day before, he still didn’t trust the American as far as he could throw him. Jonty might well be innocent of any untoward interaction with the man, both back in his University College days and now, but he couldn’t think the same of Jimmy. “I can’t believe you get everything you want.†Orlando snorted, trying to add emphasis, and worried that he just sounded ridiculous.
“Want me to prove it to you?†Jimmy’s gimlet gaze, blue eyes piercing into Orlando’s, suggested he was throwing down the gauntlet. “I think we both know what I want. Let’s see if I can get it.â€
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