Page 38 of The Lady Glass
“I don’t think you have to worry about Miss Yearsley or Mr. Hawke,” Theresia said under her breath.
Rolland almost missed it. “Oh?”
She gave the smallest shake of her head. “I could wager a guess as to what counties of England they were raised in based on their subtle accents.”
“And?”
He could sense she had more to say. “And unless one of them speaks French for me, I am beginning to think my abilities are useless to you.”
“Do not discount yourself yet. All it takes is one slipup, and one of us is bound to catch it.”
She sighed. “Beyond my apparent inadequacy, I don’t think either Mr. Hawke or Miss Yearsley is intelligent enough to be a villain, nor does either of them have the tenacity to accomplish such a feat as...” She cleared her throat. “You know.”
He appreciated her attempt at discretion and was fully capable of reading between the lines. He tugged her gently to a storefront window a few feet farther away. “I had similar thoughts earlier on.”
She glanced at the others before ending at him. “But?”
“But a good liar is capable of making you believe what they want you to believe. Miss Yearsley might come across as indifferent, but only an intelligent woman would surround herself with such powerful people and then pretend to be exactly what she isn’t.”
Theresia paled and gripped his arm. “Then, that was all an act?” She quickly lowered her voice, having spoken too loudly. “She certainly had me convinced.”
Her naivety did her credit. He valued her observations, but he would rather have her disillusioned to evil than immune to it. “Remember, all of us are playing a part here.”
She glanced down at the arm she held and slowly released her grip. “Yes, it would be good for me to remember.” She took a step back against the window, putting distance between them.
He frowned, reading into her response, but said nothing. She was right to distance herself; it was what he should do.
A moment later Marcus and Her Grace joined them, followed by Cadogen and his wife.
Lady Cadogen linked her arm through Theresia’s. “Lady Glass, I do think you are in need of a new bonnet and another pair of gloves. Shall Her Grace and I steal you away for some shopping?”
Theresia glanced at Rolland, her eyes seeking his permission. They were not married, so the action surprised him, but he gave her a quick nod anyway. Her smile grew. The idea of being with the two ladies brought her real joy. Based on her story about the seminary ladies’ treatment of her, he guessed she had few friends. He hoped her time with Lady Cadogen and the duchess would make the house party more tolerable for her. They might be titled women of theton, but their unique personal histories had gifted them with true humility. They would be kind to Theresia; he was certain of it.
Rolland felt two pairs of eyes studying him. He looked up at his friends. “What?”
“Curious is all.” Cadogen folded his arms across his black coat.
Rolland still hadn’t accustomed himself to seeing his friend without his mask. His keen blue eyes seemed larger somehow. “About what?”
“Lady Glass and the real reason she came to this house party of secrets.”
“She has her reasons for being here, and that will have to suffice.” Rolland would say no more out of respect to her, not even to his most trusted friends.
“And none of them have to do with you?”
“Not a one.” Rolland shifted his weight to his other leg. Cadogen’s eyes were far too discerning.
“I haven’t any reason to be disappointed in you, Rolland, so don’t change my opinion of you.” Cadogen stared him down, like only the former Masked Baron could. “If she doesn’t have you as a reason for being here, then stop wasting your time, and give her one.”
Rolland scoffed. “You’re late to the party, so you are unaware that I am practically an engaged man—to someone else.” The news he’d attempted to delay sharing spilled out of his mouth before he could take it back.
Marcus frowned. “I was waiting for you to tell us. Lord Barrack mentioned Miss Shields. I wasn’t certain you’d agreed. Have you even met her?”
Rolland set his mouth. “The cause is what matters.”
Cadogen disagreed with a decisive toss of his head. “It’s your choice of course, but...” His voice trailed off.
Cadogen gave his opinion decisively, so his hesitation lured Rolland in. He raised his brow. “Tell me.”
