Page 47 of If the Duke Dares
“I hope you are both well,” he said evenly, wondering when it would be acceptable to retreat.
Francesca put down her needlework and fixed him with an expectant stare. “Pardon me for not prevaricating, but why are you here? We weren’t expecting you.”
“Er, no. I didn’t send word. I didn’t realize there would be anyone in residence.” Why did he feel defensive? “I was, ah, traveling with a friend, and we found ourselves in Bath. Given the lateness of the hour, I thought I’d stay here tonight. I’ll be returning to Loxley Court tomorrow.”
“Aren’t you supposed to be meeting a potential bride?” Cecily asked. She’d set her pencil down on the small angled drawing table in front of her.
They knew about that? He supposed their mother had informed them. “I was supposed to, yes, but she took ill.” It was easiest—and best—to continue with the lie. He certainly wasn’t going to reveal thatshehad been his traveling companion.
“It’s odd to have you here,” Francesca said, looking as uncomfortable as he felt.
“Well, I don’t want to cause a scandal,” he said with a laugh, trying to bring some humor to lighten the mood.
Cecily waved her hand. “Nothing will eclipse the current scandal sweeping through town.” She cocked her head and looked directly at him. “Aren’t you friends with Banemore?”
Acton’s gut clenched. “What has he done? Or purported to have done, anyway.”
Francesca somehow managed to look down her nose at Acton. “He ruined a young lady and probably her entire family. I daresay there isn’t anything ‘purported’ about it.”
“Such a cad to behave like that while betrothed to someone else.” Cecily shook her head.
Acton was confused. Bane wasn’t betrothed. At least he hadn’t been a fortnight ago. Acton had traveled with him and a couple of other friends to Weston. He’d spent the night at the Duke of Henlow’s retreat, the Grove, before departing to meet another friend in Wales.
“There has to be a mistake or, more likely, this is just asinine gossip with no basis in reality.” Acton knew Bane could be the worst among them when it came to taking liberties with young ladies, but he would never overstep. That wasn’t precisely true. He would just hope to not be caught. Cold sweat dappled the back of Acton’s neck
Francesca angled herself more fully toward him. “He wasseen—by Mrs. Lawler—in a compromising embrace with a young woman. There is no mistake.” Her voice had risen.
“But he isn’t betrothed,” Acton said, feeling even more defensive, and this wasn’t even about him. “Perhaps Mrs. Lawler was confused, and Bane is going to marrythatyoung lady. The one he was with.” That made more sense. Bane wouldn’t turn his back on someone if he’d been caught in a situation like that.
Cecily also pivoted to face him directly. “Banemore very plainly told Mrs. Lawler that he wasnotgoing to marry the woman he’d been caught with because he was already betrothed. As I said, he’s a cad.”
There was no way Bane would be that callous. And he wasn’t betrothed! Even if he were, he would have married the woman he’d compromised instead. What a mess if that were the case. In either scenario, a young lady would be maligned by Society. Still, Acton had to think the compromised young woman would fare worse.
“There must be some explanation,” Acton said calmly. He would write to his friend first thing tomorrow. Except Acton wasn’t entirely sure where Bane was at present. He realized he’d see Bane next week at the house party. Or would he? Perhaps Bane wouldn’t be there with all this going on. Perhaps he’d even be married? Acton would track down one of their friends—Somerton didn’t live far away—and determine the truth.
“There is,” Francesca stated firmly. “Bane is a blackguard.”
Acton frowned. No, perhaps it was a scowl! Droxford would be proud. “You shouldn’t believe everything you hear.”
“Of course you would say that,” Cecily said. “Your reputation isn’t much better.”
Francesca crossed her arms over her chest, her gaze narrowing slightly. “All you rakes stay together. Is it an organized club, or do you just flock together like libidinous birds?”
Acton’s sisters stared at him expectantly. Was that supposed to be an actual question?
“Er, no. Not all my friends are rakes.” He grimaced, realizing how bad that sounded.
“Give them time,” Francesca said.
“Honestly, you can’t believe everything you hear,” he repeated. “If you got to know me, you’d see I’m a good person. I’m not a blackguard.”
“We didn’t say you were, but having a close friend like Banemore doesn’t recommend you,” Cecily said. “You know who’s a good person? Miss Barclay. She didn’t ask to be ruined by your friend.”
“Indeed,” Francesca agreed. “She is the only one in this situation who deserves sympathy.”
Acton barely heard what Francesca said. His brain echoed with the nameMiss Barclay. Good God, had Bane ruined Persey? Acton would throttle him.
This explained so much. Persey’s extreme dislike of him and rejection of Acton’s offers for help. Her need to marry quickly and her parents’ desire to ensure that happened. Bane should be the one to marry her. Had he made up a fake betrothal to avoid doing so? Acton couldn’t see him doing that, but at the moment, the only thing he could plainly see was red.
