And what the devil was he doing?themarquess wondered, standing before her, his hands clasped behind his back, a smile plastered on his face, not knowing what he was going to say next. Had he really approached her with the idea of protesting his innocence, of assuring her that there had been nothing in that kiss, that the maid had merely helped him on with his coat?
Had he quite taken leave of his senses?Had he been about to try to justify himself to a mere maid?
He bowed. "I will not keep you, my dear," he said. "Unlike us mortals who have nothing to do all day long but pursue frivolity, I am sure you have a hundred and one tasks to perform."
"Y-yes, your lordship," Bridget said. "I do have to be busy, for sure."
And when he had almost extricated himself from that delightful encounter, Lord Kenwood found, it was only to discover that Ernie was striding down the hallway, frowning in a manner that had become habitual with him since their arrival at Rotherham Hall.
"How is the world treating you, Ernie, my boy?" he asked, clapping a hand on the other's shoulder. "I have been missing you in the last few days. I was becoming used to finding you just to the rear of my right or left shoulder. You are in love?"
"In love?"Lord Crensford waited until Bridget had disappeared from view and turned indignantly to his relative. "Is it not enough that you pursue the mistress, Jack? Must you seduce the servant too?"
"Bridget?" the Marquess of Kenwood said with a sigh. "She wouldn't have me, Ernie. I might as well save my efforts. There is a certain sort of buxom, wholesome English country lass who is quite immune to all the jaded seductions of the upper classes. Bridget is one of them. I should probably find a hatchet buried in my skull if I persisted. Or rather, someone else would probably find a hatchet buried in my
skull. You did not answer my question. Are you in love?"
"With whom?"Lord Crensford asked scornfully.
Lord Kenwood raised his eyes skyward. "Why, with the delectable little dancer," he said. "Never tell me you don't have an eye for her, Ernie. She certainly has an eye and a half for you."
"Do you speak of Miss Wickenham?" Lord Crensford asked. "Are you out of your mind, Jack?In love with that hoyden?The girl has no behavior at all."
"Oh, she has behavior all right," the marquess said, steering his relative along to the head of the staircase. "But, I takeit,it is behavior that you object to, Ernie. You were too busy playing your violin to observe the dance?"
"I was not," Lord Crensford said. "And that is precisely what I mean. No young lady of any sensibility would dream of dancing like that in company."
Lord Kenwood raised both eyebrows. "I thought it rather splendid,'' he said. ''I begin to hope the poor girl does escape your clutches, Ernie. You would probably keep her chained to your wrist if you married her."
"Married her!"Lord Crensford said with a shudder. "But listen, Jack, this isn't why I wanted to talk with you. I want to know what is happening with Diana."
"Why don't you ask her?" the marquess said, glancing to the front doors as they reached the foot of the stairs.
"You know what I mean," Lord Crensford said. "She told me I need not protect her any longer. But she doesn't know you, Jack, and she certainly does not know why you are here. You haven't won that wager, have you? I swear I'll kill you if you have."
"Under the circumstances," the marquess said, "I think I would be wise to say merely that I have no comment."
"Does that mean yes?" Lord Crensford's hands had formed into fists at his sides.
"It means that I have no comment," the marquess said.
"I know you did not come back with Clarence and the others yesterday morning," Lord Crensford said. "I know that you lured Diana off to the castle with you. What happened there, Jack?"
Lord Kenwood smiled at him. "What do you think happened, Ernie?" he asked. "There are certain occasions in life when the imagination is far more interesting than real fact. What do you think happened?"
"I think she probably slapped your face and told you to take yourself off," Lord Crensford said.
"Well then." The marquess continued to smile. "You did not need to ask, did you?"
"But did she?"
"What do you think?" The marquess raised his eyebrows.
"Jack, I am warning you ..."
But Lord Crensford's threat was interrupted by a knock on the outer door. The marquess closed his eyes briefly and watched as a footman opened the door to admit Lady Huntingdon, who was looking particularly lovely in a royal blue riding habit, different from the one she had worn the day before.
"My lord," she said in her low voice, walking toward Lord Crensford with one elegant hand extended. "I came to assure your mama that Frederick and I will indeed attend her dinner and ball two days hence. I am afraid my husband was unable to accompany me."
