The Duchess of Worthingstone smiled at him as he approached, and Matthew understood what the women had done. Instead of casting out Sarah Carlisle, they were attempting to make her an ally, doing just as he’d offered.
And it did appear to be working. He was uncertain what to think of it.
He greeted the duchess, bowing to her. “Your Grace. Thank you for the invitation this evening.”
“We are delighted to have you with us, Lord Arnsbury.” She held out her hand for him to kiss, and then Matthew received warm greetings from her sisters, Amelia, Margaret, and Juliette, who held his hand the longest.
He had always been close to his godmother, and now he understood why. There was another blood bond between them, one that would never be broken. And instead of being encircled by cousins, they were his aunts.
Sarah Carlisle had tried to slip away, but Amelia caught her arm. “Oh, no, you don’t. You’re not running away this time. Not after all the trouble we went to.”
Matthew didn’t quite understand what his aunt Amelia was up to, but Miss Carlisle let out a sigh. “I feel like a fool,” she admitted. Her gray hair had been swept into a newer style. “I wanted to wear a black gown.”
“It would make you look old,” Amelia countered. “And that is not our intention this evening.”
“Iamold,” Miss Carlisle insisted. “Why should I pretend to be someone I am not? I cannot believe I let you talk me into a gown like this.”
“It will get you noticed,” Margaret said. “And we have chosen three gentlemen to introduce to you. You know what you must do in return.”
“I’ve never felt so ridiculous in all my life.” She fanned herself, but Matthew saw that they had indeed made her look better. Instead of wearing a bitter frown, she appeared to be a nervous debutante.
“Would you like me to walk with you?” Lily offered.
Sarah appeared taken aback. “I’m…not certain.”
He exchanged a look with her, and Lily said, “Don’t be afraid. Mrs. Sinclair and I can accompany you.” She offered a mischievous smile to Amelia. “I realize that Lady Castledon would terrify all of your suitors.”
“Why would you want to help someone like me?” the old woman asked bluntly. “After all that I’ve done.”
Because Lily had a heart greater than nearly every woman in this ballroom, Matthew thought. She was generous and kind, seeing the good that lay beneath the surface.
“You made your choices out of necessity, I think.” Lowering her voice, she added, “And besides, there are better ways of supporting yourself than blackmail.”
Sarah shot her an indignant look, but Lily only laughed. “Come along.”
After they departed, Juliette turned to him. “How badly are the guests treating you?”
Matthew shrugged. “Apparently I do not exist, according to them.” He had passed by many so-called friends whose gazes had turned distant when he and Lily walked by.
“I hope Miss Carlisle will keep her promise and begin spreading her own story that the rumors are not true.”
“I would not rely on it,” Matthew said. “But if she found a husband, the blackmail would stop, and that would be a relief.” He hadn’t been certain Sarah Carlisle would even entertain the idea, but she had agreed to let the women dress her, and shewashere.
Still, he didn’t want Lily to feel the shame of his past. She had done nothing wrong and did not deserve their scorn.
Juliette rested her hand upon his arm. “There is something else we could do. Toria could announce your engagement, which would force the others to acknowledge you.”
He understood that no one would risk offending the Duchess of Worthingstone. But he shook his head. “Not yet. It would create a strained atmosphere. Perhaps later, when the talk has died down.”
He studied the crowded ballroom, and for a sudden moment, he thought he spied Adrian. To Juliette, he asked, “Was my cousin invited this evening?”
She shook her head. “No, of course not. His presence would only undermine what we are trying to accomplish.”
And yet, he could have sworn he caught a glimpse of the man. He murmured his excuses, and departed Juliette’s side, wanting to ensure that it was not Adrian.
An unsettled suspicion took root within him that sooner or later, he and his cousin would have a confrontation that would not end well.
“Psst—”
