Sanders brushed off his rudeness. If he had one quality, it was a thick skin. ‘You never change, Voss, always courting scandal and snarling your way through life.’
‘As opposed to slithering my way through life, like some people,’ Rawden replied, wishing the man would move away, for Sanders was nought but a weak fool with a spiteful temperament – a greasy rat of a man.
Sanders leant back, watching Rawden wipe the sweat off his chest with a towel. ‘I heard you are softening of late.’
‘How so?’
‘A little bird told me that you have been asking around about a certain young lady who has caught your jaded eye, a respectable one at that, though not for long if rumours are correct.’
‘What are you babbling about? Out with it, Sanders.’
‘A certain Miss Grace Howden. Though I heard that your brother….’
Rawden cut him off, grabbing him by the lapels. ‘What about my brother?’
‘Nothing. Calm yourself, Rawden,’ said Sanders, wriggling free and brushing himself off. ‘I was going to say that there were rumours that your brother was interested in the lady, and she was interested in him. Did you know that?’
‘Do not talk of my brother, ever, not if you know what’s good for you.’ snapped Rawden.
‘As you like. I was sorry to hear of his passing, genuinely so. And I was only going to say that if you have an interest in that lady’s direction, then you had better make haste.’
‘Really?’ said Rawden, feigning disinterest by smiling at the woman who had smiled at him earlier.
‘I hear that Sharp has his eye on her.’
‘Why? Has he not just married into the most exalted circles of society?’
Sanders’ eyes brightened at the thought he knew something Rawden did not. ‘It is not marriage that Lord Sharp has in mind. I heard a scurrilous rumour that Miss Howden’s uncle was trying to pass her off some time ago. He apparently arranged a gaming night, with her as the hostess and the prize as well. But there was only ever going to be one winner, and that was Caville Sharp. Is that not rather sordid?’
‘The prize?’ ’ Rawden said casually, but every sense was screaming an alert.
‘Yes. The blackguard let it be known that his niece was available to become a rich man’s mistress. But, of course, the lady was not informed of this fact, and when Sharp made his move, I believe he got a slapped face for his insolence. Is that not splendid?’ Sanders smirked. While supposedly friends with Caville Sharp, he still enjoyed seeing the man humiliated. Sanders was not a person who inspired loyalty.
‘I’ve no time for your womanish tittle-tattle, Sanders,’ said Rawden.
‘As you like. And I am sure I am mistaken in your regard for the lady. But if you show interest in her, it piques that of other men. And I only sought to do you a service in telling you.’ Sanders sighed. ‘But I pity the poor lady, for her uncle seems intent on throwing her to the wolves. So it goes with defenceless ladies, I am afraid. She will be passed around the gentlemen of the ton, and it will all end badly. I’ve seen Grace Howden out and about. Such a face on her - a sweet little morsel, to be sure, like a pretty sugared almond. I am almost tempted myself.’
Rawden grabbed hold of him. ‘We both know you are not. But you would do well to leave the young lady be and not spread idle gossip, for she is under my protection.’
‘Maybe she does not need it. The delectable Miss Howden is not altogether defenceless, for I heard that she had made enquiries about your brother’s situation some months ago via a certain Lady Alice Granston.’ Sanders chuckled. ‘I think it must have been just before Waterloo. The young lady was probing for information from a most indiscreet source, as you know how that old sow could never keep a juicy secret to herself.’
‘She is not the only gossip, is she?’ said Rawden, glaring at Sanders.
‘I only wished to be of service, as always. But if my warning has fallen on stony ground, I will bid you good day, Rawden.’
‘You would do well to hold your tongue in future and not malign the lady further. As I said, she is under my protection, Sanders.’
‘Well, if you have entered the fray, I will withdraw. How could I possibly compete with your handsome face?’
Rawden watched him go. George Sanders had no intention of pursuing Grace Howden, or any other young lady for that matter. His interests had always lain elsewhere, which was why his fawning attentions irritated Rawden. But he did wonder why Sanders had made a point of telling him of Caville Sharp’s interest in Grace and of her investigating William.
His face was starting to swell, and every muscle ached from the fight, and yet still, his mind would not be turned from the troublesome Miss Grace Howden. It was rare that a woman intrigued him. He was used to charming them, bedding them and growing weary of them in rapid succession.
Rawden sighed and wiped away blood that was crusting in his nose. It seemed he was not the only man currently bullying Grace Howden, and if he was to be true to his brother’s last wish, it was time to do something about it.
Chapter Seventeen
Late summer was bathing London in warm sunlight, and the parks were alive with people promenading, couples linking arms, mothers cooing over babies. But Grace was not allowed out. Her uncle had kept her a virtual prisoner since her latest rejection of Caville Sharp. The servants had, no doubt, gossiped to Uncle Charles of a tall, dark-haired gentleman visiting, but Grace had lied and said it was an officer from the barracks sent in response to her request for news of William’s death.
