THE DEFIANT LADY by Samantha Garman

opened the door to an expansive guest room. It was decorated in gold and blue brocade, and had its own washroom.
    A maid bustled in and said, “I will have a bath ready for you soon, Miss Sinclair.”
    “Thank you,” Ivy said, and then turned to Cy. “Will you send a note to my grandmother?”
    “She does not know you are here?”
    Ivy looked chagrined. “I escaped early this morning. I wanted time by myself.”
    He raised his eyebrows and asked, “What do you do when you are alone?”
    “I practice,” she said. “Ballet. Please do not tell her what I was doing. She thinks I have given it up.”
    “She will not hear it from me,” he promised. “I will send a note to your grandmother immediately so she will not worry.”
    “Thank you. Do not let me keep you from your day.”
    “I was only reading investment papers. Very boring documents. Your presence is a welcome excuse to stop.” He looked at her. “I will request that your sister come and keep you company. She can bring you a change of clothes.”
    “That is not necessary,” Ivy protested.
    “Nonsense. I will also summon a doctor. No use fighting me. I am your fiancé and it is my duty to see to your welfare.”
    She inclined her head and smiled. “So be it, My Lord.”

    ***

    Cy escorted Willow into his study and said, “Your sister is upstairs having a bath and then she is being put to bed. I know she will be glad to see you. Before you tend to her, I wanted to ask your opinion about the wedding present I am planning on giving her.” Willow raised her eyebrows as he went on, “Did you know your sister still practices ballet?”
    Willow laughed and nodded. “Of course. She refuses to stop.”
    Cy cleared his throat. “I would like to construct a studio for her use. A real ballet studio, complete with mirrors and bars.”
    Willow clasped her hands together in excitement. “I think that would be a perfect gift!”
    After tea, he took Willow upstairs, knocked on the door and the maid answered.
    “This is Miss Sinclair, Miss Ivy’s sister. How is she?”
    The maid was standing in Willow’s way, preventing her from entering and before the maid could reply, Ivy’s muffled voice came through the door. “Is that the arrogant, tyrannical earl? Tell that overbearing man I refuse to stay in bed. I am fine !”
    Cy pushed past the maid and opened the door widely, revealing Willow.
    “I will decide if you are well,” he said in an intractable tone. “Now, stay in bed and keep warm. Put another hot brick at her feet,” he commanded to the attentive maid.
    Ivy glared at him, and then smiled at her sister. “Willow! I am glad you are here.”
    Willow chuckled. “You should thank your overbearing fiancé. He did send for me.”
    Ivy looked sheepish.
    “I will leave you two ladies, as I have some work that requires my attention.” He went to find his butler and demanded, “Have you sent for the doctor?”
    Jamison nodded and replied, “Of course, My Lord. He is tending to some of his other patients but will come when he is able.”
    An hour later, peals of laughter could be heard from the upstairs bedroom. The girls sounded like they were in fine spirits, and Cy wondered if he had been too concerned about Ivy’s health. He sighed and pushed away the investment papers. He was unlikely to get anything accomplished with the red-haired siren in his house, so he went up the stairs and poked his head into the guest bedroom.
    “Sounds like a lot of fun is happening up here,” he replied mock-sternly.
    Ivy shook her head. “No fun at all. Willow has been beating me at cards all afternoon. I have to redeem myself. Especially if you will not let me out of bed.”
    He chose to ignore her pointed comment, pulled up a chair and gathered the cards. “I have a game I would like to teach you both,” he said.
    “What game would that be?” Willow asked eagerly.
    “Poker.”
    “Poker?” Willow asked. “I have not heard of poker.”
    Cy grinned. “It is