“Months ago?”
“He’s been here since then, Levi. He visits me regularly, unlike my own son.”
So, he had used those words…those odd words. Andmonthsago. Before the marriage. Before the rumors.
Was it possible that Charles had started the whole thing? He didn’t want to think it of his own cousin. But this new evidence was both impossible and irresponsible to ignore. He had to learn more. He had to try to find out what had happened. “When will Charles be here next? Since he visits you so frequently, I assume you have something planned?”
“I don’t need to have something planned, Levi. He will come when he is ready to do so, and I have faith that he will not make me wait very long.
Levi sighed. That was no answer. “I need to use your writing desk before I leave,” he said.
“For what?”
“I need to write a letter to Caroline.”
“Won’t you see her soon enough? Didn’t you tell me that Lady Modesty has a ball coming up soon? I assumed you would want to be home in time to attend that with your wife. Won’t you?”
“I have no time for balls at the moment,” Levi said. “I have this matter to deal with.”
“Levi, you cannot neglect your social obligations. The rumors about your character will only grow worse if you do. And what of your poor wife? Don’t make her suffer as I suffered.”
“You suffered? Mother, you spent your life married to a man who, by your own admission,, you loved. Don’t look at me now and say that was suffering because he had no title. Because perhaps you lacked the placement in society you would have liked. You and I both know it isn’t true. And every time you say it, you malign my childhood.” He got to his feet. “I must go and write this letter now. And when I’ve done that, I’ll be on my way.”
“Levi, for goodness’ sake—you cannot allow yourself to lose sight of what’s most important!”
There was something in those words that tugged at him. It was as if his heart recognized merit in what she was saying. But he could not allow himself to listen. He had to figure out what was going on—who was spreading rumors about him, and why.
And if Charles has anything to do with it, he may rest assured that he shall pay for his interference in my affairs.
He didn’t want to believe it. He wanted there to be some other explanation for Charles’ having used those words. And he wouldn’t make any assumptions, not now. He would give his cousin the chance to defend himself.
But this was all much more important than any ball could possibly be. This had to be resolved now. There would be other balls.
Caroline would just have to try to understand.
He wrote her a quick letter and affixed his seal. He would post it tonight, and hopefully it would arrive rapidly, and she would have time to make the necessary arrangements.
Would she still attend the ball without him? Would she show herself in society without her husband by her side at a time when there were so many rumors going around?
He couldn’t worry about that. Not right now. He couldn’t allow himself to be distracted by thoughts of Caroline’s well-being—or her warm smile, her kind eyes, the way her body felt when she relaxed against him, the press of her soft, yielding lips…
No. All of that would have to be put from his mind. The only thing he could afford to focus on was the task at hand.
CHAPTER 33
“Caroline, you made it!” Modesty exclaimed, sashaying over to Caroline across the ballroom. “But tell me, where is your dear husband? I didn’t see him when you came in!”
Her eyes glinted maliciously. Caroline was sure she already knew the answer to the question.
“Levi was unable to join us tonight,” she said, keeping her chin in the air. It was a struggle to do so. She knew she was being scorned, and she wanted very badly to turn and run away. Facing tonight alone had been a trial.
“Well, I suppose he has otheraffairskeeping him busy,” Modesty said with a smirk. “Still, it’s such a shame he couldn’t be with us. I was so looking forward to seeing the two of you and hosting you together, because I know how happy you are in your marriage.” She leaned close, conspiratorially. “Or is that no longer the case? Is the household troubled?”
“There is no trouble, I can assure you,” Caroline said firmly. “We are very happy together.”
“I ask only because of his absence, when I was assured the two of you would attend together,” Modesty explained. “But I suppose it couldn’t be helped. He has so much to keep him occupied. I don’t know how you stand it.”
“He works very hard.”
