“—who does not deserve being gossiped about and denigrated in such a presumptuous manner. You don’t know the first thing about him—”
“I know I’m going to marry him,” Bernice said as if bored.
“—because if you did,” Matilda finished, “you’d know he’s too discerning to waste his lordly breath on the likes of you!”
Red-hair and yellow bonnet gasped in shock.
“Who do you think you are?” Bernice snarled.
“Miss Matilda Dodd,” she answered.
Bernice’s smile was terrifying. “I suppose you think you’re woman enough for the Earl of Gilbourne, little orphan?”
“I…” The fire dissolved from Matilda. This lady knew who she was?
“You’re a poor relation to him, and a poor choice in bride for any man here,” Bernice continued blandly.
“If you didn’t know he was here, how do you know I’m his ward?” Matilda stammered.
“Because I know everything about everyone,” Bernice replied, leaning so close that Matilda was forced to take a step back. “My mother plays whist with your godmother. I didn’t know who you were when you first came creeping up—everyone tries to be part of my circle—but once you defended your guardian so pitiably, I suspected.” She cast her gaze up and down Matilda’s clothing. “Not that those pathetic rags leave any doubt as to the quality of your upbringing.”
Matilda’s mouth fell open and her fists balled. “Don’t you dare… M-my parents…”
“Are dead, yes I know. Boo hoo. Run along then, and cry over their gravestones. This is a matchmaking festival. You’re ruining the atmosphere for those of us capable of making matches.”
Red-hair and yellow bonnet didn’t hide their giggles.
Matilda’s temper flared, but she took a deep breath. “I didn’t come here to pick a fight. I came here to make friends—”
“Make them with slugs your own status,” snapped Bernice. “The rest of us are busy, from now until infinity. Now get out of my face before I scream, and bring your strapping guardian running to my rescue.”
Throat tight, Matilda walked stiffly back to the tree near the mouth of the labyrinth with her pride hurt and her spirits crushed.
“Make friends with everyone already?” the earl asked without opening his eyes.
She opened her mouth. Not to answer, but to shovel diced bits of lemon and orange peels. She tried her hardest to derive composure from each cherished burst of flavor.
The earl opened his eyes. “Good God, I can smell that from here. Are you eating an entire orchard?”
“Candied peels.” Her voice shook. “Do you want one?”
“It looks like they’re all already in your mouth.”
“I eat one whenever I’m nervous or need a lift in spirits,” she said defensively.
“One fistful?” he said dryly, then pushed away from the tree trunk. “Now can we return to the hotel?”
“Yes.” Matilda’s shoulders sagged with defeat. “Please.”
Chapter 10
Titus finally took an easy breath when he and Miss Dodd stepped back into the private serenity of the labyrinth.
He had done his duty as a guardian by accompanying her to the center as she’d wished, and now he could not be more eager to leave the chaos behind and return to the relative safety of his hotel suite.
It wasn’t that he’d expected any particular calamity to strike. It was that one never knew. Accidents were unpredictable by definition. They could strike at any time. There was no foolproof method to avoid disaster, but one could lower the likelihood significantly by avoiding dangerous activities and large crowds. And why not be careful? Avoiding was the easiest thing in the world.
Or at least, it had been. Until a surprise ward had dropped in his lap. Er, not his lap. Beside him. He wanted her in his lap. And on her back, and in his bed. Which was all the more reason to keep her at arm’s length. The only thing more dangerous than crowds was caring about a specific person therein. Much safer to keep one’s heart ice cold and locked away in a secure vault.
