“Then private violence,” Norris snarled. He could actually have been grinding his teeth. “Thrash the man. Drive him out of Town. Out of England!”
“Keep your head, man,” Kynaston said. Norris’s wild response seemed to be calming him, and Lady Langton set to soothing Norris.
Ariana went to Kynaston. “I’m trying to think how Inching knew of the events at Peake’s house. I don’t believe he was there.”
“From what I know of him, he has no curiosity beyond what will win at the races and what lies beneath a tall woman’s skirts.... I apologize for that.”
“There’s no need. It’s clearly true. Hardly anyone knew we were in that cellar. Mr. Peake?”
“He might speak of it, but with Inching?”
“I can’t stand these uncertainties! Tell me the truth. Can we brazen this out?”
“If your nerve holds. Which it will.”
She saw admiration in his eyes. True admiration, and that warmed her, top to toe. Perhaps that kiss, that passion, had not been false. Perhaps...
But Norris came over then, wanting a council of war with Kynaston.
Ariana remembered then that her brother had planned to speak to Kynaston today about Lady Phyllis. Now this mess would get in his way. There was nothing she could do about that at the moment, so she went to her mother to discuss what to do next.
But her mother said, “We should leave the gentlemen to deal with this.” Ariana didn’t agree, but when her mother added, “I must talk to you about all this, Ariana,” she saw no choice.
They left the dining room, closing the door. They said nothing in front of the footman, but as they walked toward the stairs, someone rapped at the door. They both turned back, sure another blow would fall.
The footman opened the door—to Mr. Peake.
Ariana went to him. “Come in, sir. I suspect I know why you’re here.”
“Aye. A nasty business.”
“All lies and fabrications,” Ariana said, grateful for the opportunity to say that before the servants.
“Of course it is. You and your maid weren’t in my cellars for longer than ten minutes, and among a dusty clutter of urns, statues, and other stuff.”
Ariana smiled at the clever old man. The servants would carry that downstairs, and from there it would spread around Town. She took him up to the drawing room, feeling that matters were already improving.
Outside the door she paused to say, “Forgive me forasking, sir, but did you speak of Lord Kynaston and me being down in your cellars? We’re wondering how the news got out.”
“Not that I can recollect, Lady Ariana. There were more interesting things going on. And of course, my servants were belowstairs unless summoned.”
“That’s what I thought,” Ariana said, and continued on into the room. There she found that the guests had left, and Lady Cawle was on her own.
She didn’t seem enraged at having been abandoned. Indeed, she said, “Good to see Kynaston exercised about something useful again.”
“I’m concerned he’ll make matters worse by committing murder.”
“Of anewspapereditor?” Perhaps Lady Cawle wouldn’t consider such a death murder at all. Ariana decided not to tell her about Inching. The lady focused her lorgnette on Mr. Peake. “Whom have we here?”
Ariana made the introductions. Mr. Peake made his bow to the dowager, being as pleasant and unawed as he was with everyone.
“What is your opinion of this debacle, sir?” Lady Cawle asked.
“That it’s nonsense, my lady. As I said below, Lady Ariana and Lord Kynaston, along with Lady Ariana’s maid, weren’t down in my cellars for more than ten minutes. I’d say it’d take that long to find a spot for sin among the clutter.”
Lady Cawle actually chuckled. Perhaps she’d been more unsure than she’d implied. “Sit beside me, Mr. Peake, and tell me of your adventures.”
He sat down, but asked, “All of them, my lady?”
