Page 7 of One Night of Scandal
“Since you’ve asked very nicely, and I suspect your assistance may prove beneficial, I will accept your offer.” She flashed him a brief smile before growing serious once more. “I require your solemn pledge that you will inform me of anything you hear and will not try to stop me from publishing my findings.”
“Is that why you’re doing this?”
“Yes. As I said, I’m a journalist in search of the truth. I want to write something more than ‘observations from a gentleman.’”
Jack couldn’t stop the short laugh that escaped him. “A gentleman who isn’t really a gentleman.”
She surprised him with a grin, and once again, he saw the radiant woman beneath the disguise. He also felt that same flash of heat that had accompanied their hands touching.
Then she pivoted and walked to the mews that ran along the backs of the houses. At the entrance to the mews, she stopped and faced him. “This is as far as you can come. I don’t want to be seen arriving with you.”
“Then someone knows you are Tavistock?”
“Yes, the head coachman and my maid keep my secret. Aside from Val and his wife and Val’s partner, Colehaven, they are the only ones who know. And you, apparently.”
“I will keep your secret until—and if—a time arises when I cannot for your own safety.”
“That is fair. I should like to continue my investigation tomorrow evening. Can you meet me at the Wicked Duke? We can devise a strategy and leave from there.”
“I can’t tomorrow night. Can we go the night after?”
“I’ll see you then.” She started to turn, but hesitated. “I apologize if I was a bit thorny. For the first time in ages, I was excited about the prospect of writing something that might matter.”
“And I prevented your investigation.”
She nodded. “However, I—begrudgingly—appreciate it.” She smiled at him again. “Truly.” Then she turned and walked away.
“I look forward to our appointment,” he called after her.
Would he really? He didn’t particularly have time to oversee a zealous journalist. And yet, he was eager to find out if there was any truth to this rumor she’d heard.
As he walked back to the street in search of a hack, he considered what she’d said about publishing her findings. Would theLadies’ Gazettepublish something political, something that even mentioned radicals?
It was an anxious time with the Seditious Meetings Act and the Committee of Secrecy, not to mention the attack on the Prince Regent. Many of Jack’s colleagues were fearful, and others were outraged.
Jack hailed a hack and was soon on his way to the Wicked Duke. He’d toss back an ale and see what he could learn. Hopefully, Eastleigh wouldn’t be there. Jack felt uncomfortable not telling him about Lady Viola, but he’d made a deal with her, and he was a man of his word.
Also, he looked forward to working with her.
The realization was almost as shocking as seeing her outside Brooks’s with the intent of going inside. Lady Viola was unlike any woman he’d ever met, and he had to admit he was intrigued. And not just by her lovely backside.
Chapter 3
“I’m pleased you decided to come with me this evening,” Grandmama said as the coach arrived at the Poole town house.
“It’s just a soirée,” Viola said with a touch of surprise. “Pleased” was a positively effusive expression from the dowager, who was as austere and detached as a person could be. On the outside, anyway. On the inside was a woman who adored her grandchildren and put family above everything. One need only look at the way she’d welcomed Isabelle into their fold when she’d wed Val several weeks ago.
Grandmama narrowed her eyes. “It’s notjusta soirée, my dear. It’s an opportunity for you to consider reentering the Marriage Mart.”
Panic rose in Viola’s chest. Did she really mean to bring this up now? “Grandmama, I am not fit for the Marriage Mart.”
“Bah, that was five years ago. An ancient scandal. You are invited nearly everywhere now.”
Because she was the granddaughter of the ferocious Dowager Duchess of Eastleigh. If not for their relation, Viola would be an absolute pariah. As it was, she was at least a minor pariah.
The door to the coach opened, preventing further discussion. For now. Viola felt certain her grandmother would continue her campaign, both in public and private. She would be direct in private, but in public, she would ensure Viola met certain gentlemen or was seen in a particular light. Oh, this was a disaster. She had to convince Grandmama that she couldn’t marry.
Shewouldn’tmarry.
