Page 86 of A Royal Kiss & Tell
“I plan to take the Weslorian women to Helenamar with me and have them speak out against the men who did this to them.”
“But what about your engagement? Won’t your father be angry?”
His father would be livid, of that, Leo was certain. “Possibly. Probably. I don’t know what all will happen, Caroline. All I know is that I am determined to take these women to Alucia and have them speak against the men who had bought and sold them for political favors. I intend to expose them, the consequences be damned.”
She stared at him for a long moment, and then her eyes began to well with tears.
“What’s the matter?” he asked, reaching for her hand.
“Those poor women. Andyou, Leopold. What a noble thing you’re doing, and yet everyone thinks...they assume...”
“I know what they assume. I’m not noble, I happen to be in a unique position, that’s all. Do you believe me?”
“I do.” She sniffed back a tear. “The Duchess of Norfolk told me about her husband. I never dreamed there were more women like that poor girl. But Leopold, what of your reputation? It’s all but ruined, and I...oh Lord, how I regret it! I helped it along. I gave Hollis gossip to print—”
He squeezed her hand. “Darling Caroline, think nothing of it. My reputation was not a grand one to begin.”
She shook her head and looked away from him for a moment. “You said there are more women?”
He nodded. “I know of one in the Pennybacker house. The other two... I’ve not yet discovered where they’ve gone.”
Caroline gasped. She squeezed his hand. “You must attend the Pennybacker ball, Leopold. That was all my doing, and I will undo it. Nancy Pennybacker can be persuaded, I am certain. Leave it to me. You will accompany Beck and me. Beck swears he won’t attend, that balls are a colossal waste of time, but I know he will if you come.”
“Caroline...” Leopold was so moved in that moment, that she would want to help him in this, that he leaned across the space between them, put his hand to her nape and kissed her.
She pushed back. “Garrett—”
“God help me, but I can’t help myself. I will mourn you when I go, Caroline. You have...you have enlightened me. Shown me what it is to live freely in one’s skin. You have made me feel things I’ve never felt—”
“Leopold, there’s more,” she said quickly. “You’re being followed.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Mayfair is abuzz with anticipation for the Pennybacker ball. No expense has been spared, and curiously, the invitation list has recently been expanded by one noble name. Even more curious is that the expansion occurred the morning after the select list of invitees for a supper at the home of Lord Farrington were delivered. There is no explanation for this change, but we all know that rivalries die hard.
—Honeycutt’s Gazette of Fashion and
Domesticity for Ladies
AMAZINGLY, LEODIDN’Task who was following him or why right away. He sighed wearily, as if this was not completely unexpected.
Caroline got up and hurried to the door to the drawing room. She looked out into the hall, then quietly shut the door.
“What—”
She put a finger to her lips, listening for footfall in the hallway. When she heard none, she breathed, and went back to the settee and sat next to Leo. “They were gentlemen from the foreign secretary’s office. They asked me to...to keep an eye, really, and said there was reason to believe you were plotting with your uncle to overthrow your father.”
Leo drew a breath that flared his nostrils. “Bloodyhell.”
“I can fend them off,” she said confidently.
He snapped his gaze to hers, alarmed. “These are not parlor games, love. You must tell Beck.”
“Are you mad? He’d not let me out of his sight, much less allow me to attend the Pennybacker ball. Listen, we haven’t any time to spare. I must call on Nancy Pennybacker and gain you an invitation—”
He suddenly wrapped his arms around her and drew her into his chest, cupping the back of her head and pressing it against his shoulder. “For God’s sake, don’t do anything. I told you about the girls only because I wanted you to understand—not toinvolveyou. I love you, Caroline. I would never put you in harm’s way.”
Caroline gasped. She pushed out of his embrace, with a strength born from a sudden and wild mix of emotions. Had hereallyjust confessed his love for her? And did hereallythink she would be so easily put off? She took his face in her hands and made him look at her. “I am going to help you, Leopold, and you can’t command me to do otherwise. I am the only one whocanhelp you.”
