She looked at him once more, then hurried upstairs and away.
Without Genova, the ballroom held no appeal. Ash returned to his room and found Fitz lounging at his ease, enjoying Rothgar’s brandy.
“Ah, the answer to all puzzles arrives!”
“Where?” Ash asked, pouring for himself. “It certainly isn’t me.”
“So how did you end up in the devil’s lair? Your archenemy seems remarkably untouched.”
“You can’t have expected us to fall to blows like Italian braggadocios. We are being perfectly civil while circling for the kill.”
Ash listened to himself prating the sort of words he’d spoken all his life, trained like a parrot.
“I’m working toward peace,” he corrected, and took a mouthful of brandy. “This is superb. Clear evidence of my cousin’s wealth.”
“Peace,” Fitz reminded him. “I certainly approve.”
“You probably started the rot.”
“Then my life is worthwhile.”
Ash studied him. “It’s true, you know. You don’t say what I want to hear like all the toadeaters. You’ve been a mirror of sorts, exposing folly. But my grandmother won’t approve.”
“Let the bounteous Miss Smith deal with her.”
Ash drank more brandy. “It’s nothing to do with her.”
“Your future bride?”
“It’s all sham. You must have realized that.”
“It did seem rather sudden. When I received yournote asking me to collect the ring from Cheynings, I assumed it would be for Miss Myddleton. When I encountered her here, I was sure of it.”
“It probably will be, in time.”
“You can’t give her that ring now.”
“I never planned to. I suspect it’s cursed.”
“A shame to put it on Miss Smith’s finger, then.”
Ash considered that with disquiet. “It’s only for a couple of days. I’ve told her that when she rejects me she can keep it.”
Fitz whistled.
Ash sat wearily in the other chair. “She’s insisting that someone has to support Molly Carew’s brat. Since it can’t be me directly, it’s a way out of that mess.”
“It’ll make him a little gentleman.”
“His mother is superficially a lady, and as you say, Damaris Myddleton will never wear it now.”
“You could have it recut.”
“It’s Genova’s to do with as she wishes. It will preserve her from harm, as well as the baby.”
Fitz pulled a thoughtful face, but said, “Miss Myddleton is not best pleased with you, you know.”
“Of course I know.”
