“What,” he growled, “did you just say to my ward?”
Miss Charlton sent him a startled glance as if just now noticing his presence—or recognizing the depths to which she had vexed him. She paled and clapped her mouth shut tight, as she should… Then she flummoxed him by fluttering her eyelashes and sinking into an absurdly obsequious curtsey.
“Why, Lord Gilbourne,” she cooed in a voice that dripped honey. “Dare I hope you’ll be at tonight’s assembly? My dance card still has one space left.”
Of all the potential responses to his outburst, this was the least expected.
“You told me I took the last spot,” protested one of the young bucks nearby.
“If Lord Gilbourne wants it, then I’m afraid I must have forgotten to write your name down,” Miss Charlton returned, with saccharine sweetness.
The dandy’s face went red.
“No,” Titus said coldly before things could get out of hand. “I shall not be at tonight’s ball, or any future such event. Dance with whomever you please, but it will not be me.”
Miss Charlton pouted. “You’re the only one worth dancing with. I do hope you change your mind.” She brushed the tip of her finger against his lapel.
He stiffened uncomfortably.
Miss Dodd slid between them at once, blocking Titus from Miss Charlton’s grasp. “Rule number one: No touching.”
Miss Charlton’s laugh was the sharp tinkling sound of breaking glass. “Step aside, little orphaned ward. I’m certain you do not speak for the earl.”
“And you ought not to speak at all, until you learn a modicum of respect,” snapped Titus.
With that, he grabbed Miss Dodd about the waist and hauled her away from slack-jawed Miss Charlton and the rest of the shocked lords and dandies.
Rule number one bedamned.
Chapter 13
Lord Gilbourne’s strong arm wrapped tight about Matilda as he steered them through the crowd like the prow of a pirate ship parting the sea. The revelers scattered from his path like droplets of water.
Rule number one: No touching…
Except when the earl was protecting her.
Matilda did not mind the possessive arm shielding her from the crowd. Lord Gilbourne’s very presence was armor. Onlookers gaped shamelessly at him, rather than glance at Matilda. How she wished she could protect him right back! She’d toss every single person into the pond who treated his scars as fodder for their amusement and gossip.
The earl was stoic through it all, as always. Just as he never smiled, he also never looked sad or hurt or anxious. Anger seemed to be the only emotion he allowed himself to feel. Matilda could not make herself sorry that cruel Bernice Charlton had received the brunt of it for insulting her so openly.
Matilda was sorry that Lord Gilbourne was the only person who had taken exception to Miss Charlton’s unflattering observations. Unlike Gilbourne, Matilda suffered no shortage of emotions. The exchange had made her sad, and hurt, and anxious. And more than a little angry. At herself, for not fitting in. At the others, for not letting her.
She was also grateful, for the earl’s unhesitating defense. Happy he was here. That he hadn’t abandoned her, or concurred with the mocking comments.
Gilbourne would be appalled to hear this, but… At his core, the earl was kind and nice and sweet. He scowled to distract others from his scars. Or perhaps to enhance their impact, like a bear rising on its hind legs and flashing its enormous teeth. But behind all that was the real man. One whose first instinct was to protect, and to soothe, and to shelter.
She wanted to kiss him. Or hug him tight. Or both, repeatedly.
He did not release her from his side until they reached Aunt Stapleton. Only then did he drop his hand from Matilda’s hip and fold his arms over his wide chest to scowl at them both.
“Make your goodbyes,” he said coldly. “I cannot tolerate much more of this merriment.”
“Oh, Titus,” said Aunt Stapleton. “Do try to be reasonable. There are three more tarts yet to be judged.”
Gilbourne’s lips parted, no doubt to grind out a biting comment.
Before he could do so, Matilda rose on her toes so she could speak low into his ear. “I know you hate it here. Go back to the inn. Buttons and I will be safe with Aunt Stapleton.”
