Page 12 of Charming Artemis

“That Miss Lancaster and Mr. Charlie Jonquil were discovered in a state of undress in an abandoned room of the house.”

Oh bother.While there was a tiny degree of truth to that version of events, it was an exaggeration, and a condemning one at that.

“The whole thing was ridiculous,” Artemis said. “He spilled raspberry shrub on himself, and it soaked clear through everything. He was trying to salvage his clothing; I was trying to help since I bumped into him and was somewhat to blame for his state. We really were only trying to salvage his clothing.”

“I know,” Persephone said. “And we believe you. But reality is of far less import at the moment than perception. And perception is decidedly against you.”

“But Adam will take my part. He can override any perception.”

Adam rose from his desk with a look of weariness she didn’t often see on his face. “Even I can’t fix everything, Artemis.”

“What the blazes does that mean?” Worry was beginning to creep over her.

Adam ignored her use of questionable language and, instead, addressed Rose. In the almost two years Rose had been among them, Adam had come to respect her deeply. That had always pleased Artemis. She adored Rose but had worried how she would manage in what could sometimes be a difficult household. As an Indian woman, Rose had faced prejudice and maltreatment in the years since she’d come to England. Artemis did not want to be party, however unintentionally, to any further unhappiness.

“Are the whispers significant and damaging enough to warrant drastic action?” Adam asked Rose.

“To be perfectly blunt, Your Grace, even drastic action isn’t going to entirely undo this.” Rose was not one for dramatics; her evaluation could be taken as unvarnished truth. “The discussions I’ve heard in just the last half hour are the sort that would follow a person for years. Given a few days, what happened will be twisted into something far more ruinous.”

Persephone joined Adam, standing beside his desk. “I know what you are pondering, love. But would it work?”

“With the combined efforts of everyone involved and an inconvenient amount of playacting, perhaps.”

Artemis waved Rose over. “What remedy are they speaking of?” She had a horrible suspicion she knew. Oh, how she needed reassurance that there was an explanation she wasn’t thinking of.

“You are not simpleminded. You know the answer.” Rose was direct and often unflowery in her speech, but she was not unkind. The bluntness was both painful and merciful in that moment. Artemis did not have to guess at the answer she had been given, no matter the horridness of it.

The bookroom door opened, pulling all their eyes in that direction. Charlie and his oldest brother stepped inside. Both looked entirely put together and not the least like they’d been stabbed or shot or otherwise mortally wounded. Charlie had changed his clothes, but when and how?

Rose, apparently, saw Artemis’s confused surprise. “He is nearly of a size with the Duke of Hartley. A change of clothing was obtained from their home, which, conveniently, is only a few doors down from here.”

Ah. “Which would have been a far easier way to address the problem than how we went about it not an hour ago.”

Rose simply nodded.

“My wife sends her regrets,” Lord Lampton said to Persephone. “Your housekeeper very kindly showed her to a guest chamber, where she is currently resting.”

Persephone nodded. “If she does not feel equal to making the return journey to your home, you are both welcome to remain, of course.”

“And you, Mr. Jonquil”—Adam looked to Charlie—“what are your plans for the remainder of the evening?”

“My plan is to do whatever Your Graces deem the situation requires.”

Adam didn’t look away, didn’t change his stern expression. “Are you aware of the extent of damage that has been done?”

“I am, Your Grace. My brother, sister-in-law, and I have spent our time since leaving this room searching for an answer to this debacle, and there appears to be but one. However, if you and your wife have determined otherwise, I will bow to your authority and wishes.”

They sounded so businesslike and unemotional, as if discussing the exchange of carriages or the hoped-for arrival time at a house party.

“We cannot truly be considering this,” Artemis said.

They all looked at her.

Lord Lampton spoke first. “I assure you, Miss Lancaster, we have consideredeverythingelse. My wife, in particular, pressed for any less drastic solution, but the whispers we are hearing outside of this room that have already begun to spread through Town are worse than even we feared. This is a scrape that cannot be brushed aside. The damage is extensive. Only an enormous plaster will allow it to heal.”

She had never before heard Lord Lampton speak without even the tiniest hint of jesting or theatricality. Persephone looked sad, which she seldom did. Adam wore an expression of resignation, completely out of character for him.

Artemis met Charlie’s eyes. Of everyone in this room, he would agree with her and insist everyone was being utterly and completely ridiculous.

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