Page 67 of The Duke of Seduction
“Not even since you were the subject of the duke’s poems? I check every day to make sure he hasn’t written about me again. It’s so peculiar that he wrote about me only that one time. I think I’m the only one who only had one poem, not that I mind, of course. In fact, it’s almost as if he realized I didn’t like the attention and stopped.”
Lavinia kept her expression from revealing that Jane had the right of it. “Wouldn’t that be enterprising of him?” She diverted the topic away from the Duke of Seduction. “Was today’s poem about someone new?”
“Most assuredly. It was a new sort of poem altogether. In fact, it may not have been written by the Duke of Seduction, for the author didn’t sign it.” She sent Lavinia a knowing glance. “However, I have to think it was. The cadence and word usage are too similar.”
What had Beck written? She wanted to rush home and read the newspaper for herself. “Who was it about?”
“The author didn’t make that entirely clear, but the use of initials and the description of the subjects’ behavior has led most to believe it was written about Lady Abercrombie and Lady Kipp-Landon.”
They were close friends and two of the worst gossips with the nastiest tongues in London. Lady Kipp-Landoncouldbe pleasant, especially in the absence of Lady Abercrombie, but Lavinia sought to steer clear of them.
She was still confused. He—if it was Beck—obviously hadn’t written about them to help them find husbands. Both women were married with children and in their middle thirties. “You said it was a different sort of poem.”
“It’s calledThe Evisceration of a Pair of Vicious Parrots.”
Lavinia’s breath stalled in her chest.
Evisceration.Her word. That was most certainly Beck. Why had he written it? She glanced about, wondering if she’d see him today—hopingshe’d see him.
“Well, that sounds rather unpleasant.”
Jane’s lip curled. “They deserve it, in my opinion. They are two of the most judgmental harpies in all of Society. Lady Abercrombie doesn’t even pretend to be nice in most cases. She’d sooner give someone the cut direct. Two years ago, I saw her trip a young lady who was deemed one of the Season’s brightest jewels. I tried to go and call her out for it, but my mother wouldn’t allow me.” Jane waved her hand. “Anyway, we shouldn’t waste time talking about them, even if it is to revel in their well-deserved public humiliation.” She turned her head toward Lavinia. “What we should discuss is Phoebe Lennox.”
Lavinia was glad for the change of subject even though her brain was likely to hold on to that poem—at least until she had a chance to talk to Beck about it. “Oh? Isn’t her wedding tomorrow?”
“It is. I saw her last night, and she was rather distressed. She said she’d seen Sainsbury speaking rather intimately with another woman.”
There was no harm in speaking. “What do you mean by intimately?”
“They were very close, touching hands and so forth. Phoebe said she saw him lean in to whisper in her ear, and he kissed the woman’s neck.” Jane’s mouth turned into a deep frown. “If it’s true—and why would Phoebe lie—he’s disgusting.
“What is Phoebe going to do?” Lavinia asked. “It’s not as if she can cry off. The wedding is tomorrow.”
How horrid to have to marry a man you suspected of being unfaithful. It happened, of course, and plenty of women were unfaithful too—Lady Fairwell came to mind—but Lavinia hoped it wouldn’t happen in her marriage. A feeling of unease crept over her. Beck, for all his pleasing attributes, had helped many a woman be unfaithful.
“I don’t know,” Jane said with concern. “She was rather in a dither about it last night. I was hoping she’d be here today, but I don’t see her.”
“Perhaps she’ll be at the Sutton ball tonight.”
“I doubt it since the wedding is in the morning.” Jane’s eyes narrowed. “But I shall be on the lookout for Sainsbury, and he’d better behave himself.”
Lavinia arched a brow at Jane. “This time, you won’t be held back?”
Jane blew out a breath. “If my mother is in the vicinity, she will try. But so will I.” She winked at Lavinia, who smiled in response.
They returned to Lavinia’s mother, who waited with Mr. Chapman, one of the gentlemen who’d displayed interest in Lavinia the day before. He was a widower with two small children and a small estate in Kent. He’d liked hearing that Lavinia enjoyed the outdoors, since his children did too.
Lavinia wasn’t certain how she felt about taking on an entire family, particularly without meeting his offspring. Still, he was nice enough and possessed a charming smile even if he did lack hair, which she knew because his hat had been knocked askew at one point yesterday.
During their promenade, she continued to look for Beck and continued to be disappointed. She also didn’t see Sarah or Fanny, and by the time she returned to her mother, she was more than ready to go home. She knew she’d see her friends at the ball tonight. She only hoped she’d see Beck too.
They had much to discuss, not the least of which was whether he’devisceratedtwo of Society’s worst gossips. Lavinia was eager to learn why.
* * *
The poemabout Lady Abercrombie and Lady Kipp-Landon wasthebuzz of the Sutton ball. It seemed no one held any doubt as to whom the author had been writing about.
Good.
