Norris was scowling, however, so Ariana said, “Please try to stay calm. Yes, this is infuriating, but any anger will only make it worse.”
“As long as that blackguard Churston doesn’t turn up.”
“Heavens, might he?”
“Only if he’s a fool. Kynaston’s let him know his part is exposed.”
“What was his reaction?”
“To deny everything. Unless Inching will confront him with the accusation, there’s nothing anyone can do. Short of a duel.”
“No!” Lady Langton said.
“No,” he agreed. “Don’t see how a man could come up with a pretext for it without dragging Ariana’s name down again. Kynaston’s dead set against that.”
“For which I’m grateful,” Ariana said. “I’d celebrate to see Churston in the dust, but most of all, I want all this over.”
He patted her hand. “After tonight, it will be, Sis.”
Ariana didn’t have such faith. What if the beau monde didn’t take up Peake’s invitation? He was a merchant and little known, and people might have already made up their minds.
Chapter 12
When the carriage turned into Burlington Street, it had to join a queue that was letting people out at Mr. Peake’s door. A crowd had gathered, but they seemed mostly to be enjoying the spectacle rather than expressing any outrage. Then Ariana saw a small army of men holding them back.
Norris left the coach first and then handed down Ethel. Ariana heard a stir and a murmur but nothing extraordinary. Her mother left the coach next. Then it was her turn. The prime attraction. She was tempted to hunch, but she held her head high and kept a slight smile in place, grateful for Ethel at her side.
As they walked toward the door, she heard someone ask another, “Which one is it?”
“Blond, wasn’t it?”
“Aye. But look at that. Two Amazons!”
“Was he dallying with both of ’em, do you think?”
The absurdity made Ariana smile more widely, which was probably as good a way as any to enter the house,especially as the modest entry hall was packed with people, and ahead the simple staircase held streams going up and down. Clearly the event was being seen as a rout, and some, having seen what they’d come to see, were already preparing to leave.
A Mrs. Pelman paused by Ariana and her mother to say, “I knew there was nothing in it, of course. But a very interesting collection of curiosities, even if some are a little risqué.”
Ariana smiled and thanked her, but she wondered what Peake had dug out to put on display.
He worked his way through the crowd to greet Ariana. “The whole world seems to be here. I’ve scattered curiosities around the house to keep them amused.”
“And even titillated?” she asked.
He winked. “Distraction.”
Then Kynaston was at her side. “All well?”
Now that you’re nearby.But Ariana agreed that it was, keeping her smile. He still looked ready to murder someone. She shed her cloak into Ethel’s hands and decided to tease. “Someone outside speculated that you were frolicking in the cellar with Ethel as well as me. They didn’t seem outraged.”
“The tide’s turning among the common people. Now they’re simply enjoying the play. It’s the sticklers in the ton we have to convince.”
“Are they here?” Ariana couldn’t see any of the fashionable lions.
“A few. They won’t be in the first surge. As it is, there’s a queue to go down into the cellars. Peake’s unshrouded many items there, but it’s otherwise much as it was.”
He didn’t mention the absence of Cleo.
