Page 58 of Embracing the Earl (The St. Clairs 3)

“Lady Caroline,” she murmured, though she knew this woman already knew full well who she was.

“Delighted to meet you, Lady Caroline. My, you’ve had quite the night at this first ball of the Season. You’ve danced with Aubrey, Stanley and Neville. All of the Duke of Everton’s friends. Not to mention Lord Merrifield, that handsome devil. The Marquess of Merrick and the Earls of Mayfield and Alford.”

She wondered why this woman would have kept such close notice of whom Caroline partnered with and decided this had to be one of those horrible gossips who looked for things to talk about.

Politely, she said, “I am fortunate that I’ve gained so many partners this evening since I’m attending my first ball. The Duke of Everton was kind enough to see that I didn’t sit out many dances by encouraging his friends and family to dance with me.”

Lady Bethany sniffed and said, “Yes. Even Everton danced with you. That’s a rare happening. He only makes time for his duchess. What have you done to gain his attention?”

Caroline hated the women’s rude tone. “I am friends with his sister, Rachel, and his brother, Luke.”

The moment she used Luke’s Christian name, she knew she’d erred. The two subordinates squealed, “Luke?” as their ringleader said condescendingly, “Friends? You’refriendswith the Earl of Mayfield?”

“Yes,” she said evenly. “I’ve grown close to the family. I’m staying with the marquess and marchioness. Rachel’s brother is a frequent visitor.”

Lady Bethany snapped her fan. “No lady of quality is friends with any man, especially Mayfield. That one is a rogue, through and through. Do you know how many mistresses and married lovers the man has had? Too numerous for anyone to count. That man has spent more time lurking in bedchambers and drawing pleasure from women than any gentleman of theton. They say he takes a lover every night of the week. Sometimes, even two in one night. At the same time.”

Lady Bethany’s friends tittered nervously at such bold conversation, waving their fans and turning away, looking as if they knew their friend had gone too far. The woman’s words gave Caroline pause, knowing she’d lost her heart to Luke St. Clair. Though the man Lady Bethany described seemed nothing like the Luke Caroline knew, the sting of the gossip made her think she knew only one side of him and she told herself she should be more wary of the time they spent in one another’s company.

Lady Bethany continued. “The Earl of Mayfield won’t bother to settle down for a good decade or more and will most likely break a string of hearts along the way. You’d be wise to acknowledge that of yourfriend, Lady Caroline. Only when he thinks about needing to pass his title and lands down will he deign to take a wife. Even then, she better be prepared to spend many nights on her own. A man such as the Earl of Mayfield will never change his wandering ways. Once a scoundrel, always a scoundrel.”

Anger threatened to spill from Caroline as this woman continued to speak of Luke in a derogatory fashion. She could feel the dark, heated splotches staining her cheeks as she reined in her temper. Lady Bethany was someone who delighted in spreading rumors. For all Caroline knew, the woman merely repeated hearsay about Luke and had no actual knowledge of his behavior. She might even have been attracted to Luke and he hadn’t returned her interest. It wouldn’t do to have ugly words with this stranger and cause a scene that would embarrass her hosts.

“I think it’s more than friendship between her and Mayfield,” Lady Bettina said slyly to her companions, who finally turned back and joined the conversation once again.

“Definitely,” Lady Betsy agreed. “Do you think you’re more than friends with Mayfield, Lady Caroline?”

When she held her tongue to contain her fury, Lady Bethany said smoothly, “Of course Lady Caroline has designs on Mayfield, foolish as they may be. She’s wormed her way into being friends with the St. Clairs. And who is she? A no one.”

“Caroline?”

Relief filled her. She turned and saw the Duke of Everton standing there, a cup of ratafia in his hands. He passed it to her.

“Thank you, Jeremy,” she said evenly, gloating when she saw Lady Bethany’s jaw drop with her familiar use of their host’s first name.

“I’m sorry I was detained. Could I draw you away from your present company? My duchess has need of your advice. You’re the only one who will do, she said.” He offered her his arm and Caroline took it, grateful to have his solid frame supporting her weak knees. “Ladies,” he said, his deep voice both polite and yet judgmental.

She saw fear in the three women’s eyes. They knew they had crossed the powerful Duke of Everton and would have to pay the piper.

Jeremy led her around the ballroom and as he did, he apologized. “I’m sorry I was gone so long. I thought you would be fine with Amanda.”

“She was feeling tired and I encouraged Lord Stanley to take her home.”

As they reached Catherine and Rachel, he said, “You should never have been left alone with those vipers. They won’t be invited to any future events any St. Clair family member holds.”

Rachel’s eyes widened and she scoured the ballroom. “I see them. Oh, bloody hell. I should have warned you about them, Caroline. The Three B’s. They’re vicious gossips and to be avoided at all cost.”

“I meant what I said,” Jeremy said firmly, as Luke joined them. “None of those women is to be invited to any social event we hold.” He glared at them across the room and they turned away in retreat.

“Not the dreaded Three B’s,” Luke said. “Did they attack you, Caroline?” he asked, worry evident on his face.

“A bit. Jeremy rescued me, though.”

“They aren’t to be trusted,” Luke said, his eyes narrowing as he watched the women from across the room. “None of them has landed a husband yet, mostly due to their sharp, forked tongues. Stay away from them.”

“I will,” she promised, still feeling shaken after the encounter.

“There are only a handful of dances left,” he said. “I’m sure your partners would understand if you excused yourself and left.”

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