Page 38 of Fit for a Duke
‘I know that, obviously, but Lady Walder has yet to make that discovery.’
Perhaps I will let her think that I’ll dance to her tune. Anything is better than all this waiting and speculation. I will give the matter consideration.’
‘Where did you rush off to earlier?’ Henry asked. ‘I really did think that you’d been got at, until someone said they’d seen you walk away from the tavern with a lad. That’s probably the very last kind of rumour you’d want circulating. What was it all about?’
Ezra swore his friend to secrecy and then told him the truth. Henry roared with laughter. ‘The chit has pluck, you have to admit. Damned risky thing for her to have done, though.’
‘Precisely. She is very young but so intelligent and opinionated that it’s easy to forget she knows nothing of the world.’
Henry sent Ezra a speculative look. ‘You have taken a liking to her.’
It wasn’t a question, and Ezra merely nodded. ‘I find her intriguing, but the impulsive minx will get herself killed in her thirst for adventure if she does not have a care. How can I convince her that I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself?’
‘I would be more interested to know why you shared your concerns with her in the first place.’
Henry’s customary smile dissipated when Ezra explained.
‘I think the attraction has turned your brain to mulch,’ he said in an undertone, conscious as Ezra was of the throng surrounding them who could easily overhear their conversation. ‘You could have invented something, anything to explain the nature of the conversation she overheard that would have satisfied her curiosity—and yet you trusted her with the truth.’ Henry shook his head. ‘You know that women are incapable of keeping secrets, especially one of this magnitude. Andthe knowledge has driven her to impulsive acts that could have seen her attacked and despoiled in her desperation to impress you.’
‘You think I am not aware of that?’ Ezra snapped. ‘Sorry,’ he added, waving a placatory hand. ‘It seems I don’t like being told that I’m a dolt. It’s a new experience. No one has ever dared to attempt it before. Well, no one whom I haven’t knocked down for their impertinence.’
‘It’s not impertinent if it happens to be true, Ezra. You can depend upon me to keep you honest,’ Henry replied, his good humour back in evidence. ‘Now, what are you going to do about the delightful Miss Benton to keep her in line.’
Ezra rolled his eyes. ‘What indeed? And in the meantime, you seem to be falling for her cousin.’
Henry gave a passionate sigh. ‘Lady Adele is charm personified.’
‘Well then, it will be no hardship for you to stay close to her this evening. Ask her about her cousin in general terms and let me know if you think Miss Benton has confided in her regarding my own situation.’
Henry gave a mock bow. ‘Anything to oblige.’
‘In that case, keep Lady Walder away from me while you’re at it. I have decided against playing along with her. It’s too much to ask.’
‘Please do not ask me to juggle two women at once, Ezra. At least not in public. There are limits to our friendship, you know,’ Henry shook his head emphatically, sending a cascade of hair tumbling across his brow. ‘You’re on your own with that one. If I was forced to wager, I’d risk my all on her being here for one reason and one reason only; one that has nothing to do with assassins.’ He paused to fix Ezra with a significant glance. ‘And I’m looking at that reason right now.’
‘Perhaps, but I remain to be convinced. Lady Fletcher is barely acquainted with her, but she wrangled an invitation to this party only after she became aware that I would be in attendance. Besides, you said you overheard her name being mentioned in the Royal Oak’s taproom.’
Henry’s expression sobered. ‘Damn!’ he muttered. ‘What does that mean?’
‘I wish I knew.’
Their conversation was brought to an end when dinner was announced. Ezra desperately wanted to take Clio in but knew it would be a bad idea to draw attention to his interest in her. Lady Walder had somehow managed to gravitate towards him without his being aware and he was left with no choice but to offer her his arm. She looked victorious as she sailed into the dining room at his side. Ezra knew that she would not be quelled into silence by his presence in the manner that Beth had been the previous night, and steeled himself for two hours of fending off her flirtatious overtures.
Clio felt uncomfortable for reasons that she couldn’t fathom. Ezra had nodded at her when he walked onto the terrace, looking so suave and self-assured in his evening clothes that the sight of him took her breath away and brought home to her the futility of her fascination with him. She felt hot and cold all over when she thought about the spirited manner in which she had responded to him in their exchanges, speaking to him like an equal.
Perhaps it had been rash of her to run off to the village in a ridiculous effort to protect him, she conceded, even if her intentions had been honest. She accepted a glass of peach ratafia from a footman’s tray and smiled at a comment that Beth had just addressed to her. Dear Beth’s conversation seldom required more than a tenth of Clio’s attention and it was receiving even less than that at present.
‘You seem preoccupied, Clio dearest,’ Beth said, making Clio feel guilty for her wandering thoughts. ‘Has someone overset you? Captain Salford keeps looking at you. He is very handsome and attentive. Mama says you are soon to be married but that you are keeping the captain waiting for your answer, which seems like a risky thing to do. If I had met my heart’s desire then I would not play games.’
‘My aunt mistakes the matter,’ Clio replied absently. ‘I have no amatory interest in the captain, but if I did then I would not toy with his affections. You may rest easy on that score.’
‘In that case, if you have definitely decided against him, then you would be best advised to wait until next year when you are presented. You will then be at leisure to enjoy the attention and choose a husband from all the young gentlemen who show themselves on the marriage mart.’
‘What a delightful prospect.’ But Clio could see that her sarcasm was quite lost on Beth. ‘Mr Adcock keeps looking at you,’ she said. ‘I noticed you spending time with him this afternoon on the archery range and I am sure that your conversation did not centre entirely on the target.’
‘Well…’ Beth giggled behind her fan.
‘Now he is a pleasant gentleman. I haven’t spoken with him very much, but I can see from the bloom that sprang to your cheeks at the mention of his name that you like him.’
