‘Come and meet George.’ Cassie gave her husband’s arm a none-too-gentle tug. ‘You met him before at the wedding, but…well, here he is again.’
‘Lord Brooke.’ Florence curtseyed.
‘An honour, Lady Rainton.’ George dutifully bowed over her hand. ‘I’m delighted to make your acquaintance.’
‘Excellent.’ Cassie beamed between them. ‘Now, I don’t know about anybody else, but I’m famished. Shall we go into dinner? George, take my arm.’
Leo aimed a glare in his sister’s direction. Now there was no way he could avoid offering the same attention to his wife, no matter how tempted he was to march out of the house and dine at his club instead.
‘Shall we?’ Reluctantly he extended an arm, though apparently the gesture was more shocking than he’d realised. Florence’s facial muscles went completely rigid, as though he’d just drawn some kind of weapon on her. Now that he thought about it, however, aside from their wedding day, when he’d slid a ring over her finger, and that time she’d collapsed against him in her bedroom, he’d managed to successfully avoidallforms of physical contact with her. He hadn’t even helped her into or out of the carriage on their journey.
Well, this was awkward.
‘I said, shall we?’ He lifted his arm higher. Not very gallant, but he wasn’t going to beg.
‘Very well.’ She thrust her chin into the air as she slipped a hand tentatively around his elbow, sending an inconvenient tingle of sensation shooting straight up his arm, just as the scent of her perfume collided with his nostrils again. The combination made him feel a little unsteady on his feet.
‘So what are your plans now that you’re in town?’ Cassie asked as they took their seats at the dinner table. ‘Leo’s letter was typically vague. The Season is winding down, of course,but there are still a few events left to attend. The Jenners have already sent you an invitation to their ball on Friday evening.’
‘The Jenners?’ Leo frowned, trying to ignore the way his arm was still tingling. ‘How do they know we’re back in town?’
‘Because I told them.’
‘Cassie.’ He exchanged a swift look with George. ‘I specifically asked you not to tell anyone.’
‘Did you?’ Cassie placed a hand on her chest with a look of surprise. ‘Well, if you did, you must have written it in very small letters. Although I do have an appalling memory on occasion.’
‘Appalling or selective?’
‘I’ve no idea what you mean. In any case, Lady Jenner was absolutely thrilled to hear you were back in town. It was very cruel of you, leaving without giving anyone so much as a glimpse of the pair of you together, and it would be such a coup for her if you were to attend. Your wedding was so private. Everyone’s desperate to see the new Marquess and Marchioness of Rainton together.’
‘I’m sure they are.’ George snorted. ‘You two were the biggest topic of conversation for at least a fortnight. No one’s known what to talk about since.’
‘Pshaw. The surest way to stop any more talk is to show yourselves. If you’re seen behaving normally then all the gossip will be put to bed once and for all. Then the next time you come to London it will be old news.’ Cassie batted her eyelashes. ‘Surely one ball isn’t so much to ask? Especially when George and I will be there for moral support.’
‘We’ll think about it.’ Leo rolled his eyes. ‘But we have other matters to attend to.’
‘What matters?’
‘I came to visit a friend.’ Florence spoke up this time. ‘Miss Amabel Wadlow. She’s staying in Grosvenor Square.’
‘Amabel Wadlow…’ Cassie repeated thoughtfully. ‘Why do I know that name? I’m certain I’ve come across it recently. Oh, yes, I remember now. It was in the Society pages. She got married a few days ago, didn’t she?’
‘She…what?’ Florence’s jaw dropped so far, it looked in danger of hitting the table. ‘Who did she marry?’
‘Oh, goodness, who was it? Somebody with a name beginning with V, I think.’ Cassie tapped a finger against her chin. ‘Or was it a W? No, definitely a V. Vaughan, that was it. Major James Vaughan. His father was the second son of the old Earl of Bewholme and he’s a second son himself. The family has an estate in Norfolk and his older brother is engaged to Miss Serena Wilcox. Major Vaughan himself fought at Vitoria, although he’s sold his commission now.’ She spread her hands out. ‘That’s all I can remember.’
‘Is that all?’ George chuckled. ‘Honestly, darling, you need to try harder.’
‘Major Vaughan?’ Florence’s brow creased. ‘I remember him. He called on Amabel a few times. She thought he was…’ She bit her lip mid-sentence, her expression conflicted.
‘There’s no need to stop on my account.’ Leo raised an eyebrow as she glanced towards him. ‘Tell us. What did Miss Wadlow think he was?’
She hesitated for another moment before looking down at the terrine set in front of her. ‘She said that he was charming, that’s all.’
‘Oh, gracious, I completely forgot. She was the one you were going to…’ For once, Cassie looked embarrassed. ‘Well, never mind. That’s all water under the bridge now.’
‘Quite.’ Leo kept his gaze fixed on Florence, watching as she lifted her fork to her lips. He was mildly surprised at how little he cared about the news of Miss Wadlow’s marriage. Considering how close he’d come to proposing to the woman, hewould have thought he might feel some jealousy, but he couldn’t pretend to feel anything. In all honesty, he was having a hard time remembering what exactly she looked like. And he was still staring at his wife’s mouth, he realised…
