After The Storm by Kimberly Nee Page A

they want one?” she scoffed. “A decent common man is just as good as a stuffed peacock.”
    Mrs. Anderson gasped and Elyse snorted with laughter she failed to smother. Hugh fought back a smile, though he couldn’t contain it entirely. “Touché, Miss MacDonough. Very well put.”
    She held his stare and her hazel eyes danced with a mischievous light. “I thank you.”
    Elyse chuckled dryly. “Hugh, I do believe you have met your match in Randi. You’d best watch out, she might win in a duel of banter.”
    He laughed as well. “That’s a battle I don’t think I’d mind losing. Now, if we might take a bit of a rest, I need to sit for a moment.”
    The glint disappeared from Miranda’s eyes. Her mouth opened and closed as if she was on the brink of asking him about his leg, but thought better of it. It was just as well, for he had no desire to discuss it. He limped over to the sofa and sank down, stretching the leg out before him. As the expected pain blossomed, his jovial mood slid away.
    Mrs. Anderson flipped through her music and came up with a yellowed page. “My lady, why don’t you try a quadrille whilst His Grace rests? Perhaps we might fetch Captain Ashton?”
    Hugh didn’t miss the darkness that flashed through his sister’s eyes, nor did he miss the brief slump of her shoulders. However, she caught herself. “That won’t be necessary. I am quite capable of teaching Miss MacDonough myself.”
    Mrs. Anderson didn’t look so certain. “If you think so—”
    “Yes, I think that is best,” Elyse interrupted briskly as she moved out to the middle of the floor. “Come along then, Randi. I know I do not hold a candle to my brother, but I am as accomplished as any gentleman for these purposes.”
    Hugh sat back and watched as his sister and Miranda dissolved into giggles time and time again on the floor. Elyse’s mood brightened tenfold as they seemed to enjoy themselves immensely, like children playing a silly game. If Miranda didn’t step on Elyse’s toes, Elyse stepped on hers. During one complicated step, Elyse’s feet wound up completely tangled in themselves and she fell, taking Miranda with her. He smiled in spite of his blackening mood, their infectious laughter enough to make him forget his increasing discomfort.
    It was most enjoyable to sit there and watch the fun. He didn’t realize how much time had passed, until Josephine returned to announce tea in the drawing room. Time passed on the most mercurial of wings, and he was reluctant to rise from his seat.
    “I thank you for a lovely afternoon, Miss MacDonough,” said Hugh as she and Mrs. Anderson readied for departure. “I look forward to seeing you and my sister entertain at the house party. You will have the crowds roaring with approval.”
    Miranda’s dark brows knit in a frown. “House party?”
    Elyse slipped her arm through Miranda’s. “Worry not. I’m certain your aunt will advise what you to wear and the like. If she doesn’t, please feel free to come and seek me out. I adore the latest fashions and I’d wager they will look simply smashing on you.”
    Her forehead creased, Miranda nodded and eased her arm free to follow Mrs. Anderson out of the music room. Hugh watched until she rounded the corner and vanished from sight, then twisted about to find Elyse in full smirk aimed at him.
    “Do I wish to know why the smile?”
    “You know, Hugh. Think you I am blind? If Sally were here, she’d be pea-green with jealousy. I cannot recall the last time I saw you flirt with someone. What the devil was that about?”
    “I was hardly flirting, Elyse, and you need to learn to mind your own matters.” Hugh gripped his cane by its silver eagle’s head. The thought of rising pained him, but he took a deep breath, gritted his teeth, and stood. “And Sally has no cause to be any shade of green. Miss MacDonough and I are but friends.”
    As he spoke, he stumped toward the door. His leg was stiffer than normal and protested both