Page 37 of Thief of the Ton
“I’m not surprised,” he said. “You are aware what an overindulgence of liquor does to a woman?”
She shook her head.
“Drink the coffee,” he said. “The sugar in it will settle your stomach. And it might revive you enough to disguise your condition to your aunt.”
“My condition?”
“You’re drunk, Miss de Grande,” he said, “which is most unseemly for a young lady.”
“Then you and Lady Francis can revel in your superiority,” she retorted, bitterness in her tone.
“Pay no attention to Lady Francis,” he said. “She’s hardly the sort of woman you’d want as a friend.”
“I can’t seeanyonehere I’d want as a friend.”
“Not anyone?”
She shook her head. “They’re all pompous asses.”
“What about your King Arthur?” he asked softly.
“He was a dream,” she said. “He’s no more. I am friendless—as is my father.”
Her distress was so tangible, he could almost taste it. He steadied her hand and guided the coffee cup to her lips, and she swallowed a mouthful.
“Better?”
She nodded. “I don’t know what came over me.”
“I do,” he said. “Lady Foxwell’s punch. It’s notorious—there’s at least three bottles of brandy in every bowl.” He paused. “I meant what I said about having a friend. I may not be the boy you remember, but you can trust me.”
“So you’ll help me find my enemy?”
“If it’s in my power,” he replied. “Who is it?”
She drew in a deep breath and sighed. Then her eyes darkened with hatred.
“Earl Walton.”
His gut twisted at the name.
Father…
“Do you know him?” she asked.
“I-I’ve not seen him for some years,” he said.
At least that was true—Father hadn’t set foot in England for years, and Peregrine had no inclination to visit the old bastard.
“Do you know where I can find him?”
“Not in England, I can assure you,” he replied.
“A pity,” she said. “I’d like to put a bullet through his heart.”
He recoiled at the loathing in her voice. “You hate him that much?”
“I do!” she said through gritted teeth. “Earl Walton set about ruining us after Mama died, by preying on Papa’s grief. If that’s not the definition of evil, then I don’t know what is.”
