Athena gently withdrew her hand. “You are too kind, as always.”
“Not at all. But surely you tire yourself, dear Athena. We should all go back, as your brother has advised.”
Morgan tightened his grip on the chair handles, recognizing what he was seeing. Athena was the lead female of her pack, and Hockensmith coveted her place. Among wolves such competition could lead to injury, even death. But these creatures were more likely to squabble and peck than rend and tear. He watched Athena to see how she would respond.
But he was denied the chance to find out, for Harry and Caitlin reappeared, Tamar a few yards behind. Caitlin stopped several feet away from the society ladies. She looked at Niall Munroe, and he looked back. The scent of attraction was unmistakable.
Munroe and Caitlin? As likely a pairing as himself and Munroe’s sister. But he was not the only one to have noticed that mutual stare. Miss Hockensmith’s dark eyes were narrowly centered on Caitlin. She all but snarled.
Harry bustled up to Athena’s chair, a trio of rolled posters in his hands. “Ah, Mr. Munroe, Miss Munroe… ladies! I had thought them all burned in the fire, but I have managed to salvage several of our papers. You may find them amusing.” He handed one to Niall, one to Athena, and the third to Miss Hockensmith. “We would normally have many more printed in advance when we are to play in a town, but since this is a performance for your children, Miss Munroe, that will not be necessary.”
Niall Munroe tucked his poster under his arm without unrolling it, and Miss Hockensmith did likewise. Athena glanced at it and smiled up at Harry.
“I’m sure the children will enjoy seeing this. Thank you, Mr. French.”
He nodded and glanced at Morgan. “Ah, Morgan, my lad. Perhaps Mr. Munroe has told you that we plan a tour and rehearsal for Miss Munroe and her friends in a few days’ time. We wish to be at our best, do we not?”
Morgan understood the hint, if not Harry’s reason for giving it. He stepped away from Athena’s chair. Unexpectedly, Athena pivoted to face him and smiled as she had at Harry.
He forgot whatever had been in his mind. Speech failed him.
“Thank you, Mr. Holt, for offering to escort us,” she said, extending her hand. “We shall meet again.”
He took her hand without conscious thought. It was small and warm in his, and her glove did not lessen the firmness of her grip. Why should a pampered rich girl be so strong?
“Would you like to see my little pet, Miss Munroe?” Tamar pushed between them, stretching one of her snakes toward Athena’s face. The serpent probed the air, tongue flickering. Athena flinched and held very still.
“Tamar,” Harry said, “I do not think that Miss Munroe—”
“Oh, do not worry. He is quite harmless.” Tamar stroked the scaled head tenderly. “Harmless to my friends.”
“Tamar.” Morgan grabbed her arm. “Take it away and leave her alone.”
She let herself be pulled aside. “Of course, my darling wolf.” She smiled at Athena. “I am certain that we will become better acquainted. I have many other little companions eager to meet you.”
Niall took a step toward Tamar, looked at Morgan, and clenched his jaw. “Mr. French, I trust that you will make sure that no dangerous animals are allowed to run loose on these grounds.” At Harry’s hasty reassurance, he assumed his position behind his sister’s chair. “Come, Athena. I’ll take you back to the carriage. Miss Hockensmith, ladies.”
He tipped his hat with one final, telltale glance at Caitlin and set off at a rapid stride before Athena could speak again. Most of her adoring flock went with them, and Tamar stalked away toward the tents.
Miss Hockensmith lingered. She dismissed Morgan with a glance and subjected Caitlin to a long, slow examination.
“Are you one of the performers, dear?” she asked. “What a very daring costume. If you go into the city, I do hope you will wear something less… provocative.”
Caitlin glanced down at her tights and skirt. “I—”
Morgan saw with astonishment that Caitlin’s sharp tongue had gone as mute as his own. He turned on Miss Hockensmith. “Caitlin has a reason for what she wears. You dress like that”—he indicated the woman’s elaborate gown with a jerk of his chin—”to make males sniff after you.”