“I have three sisters, and each one has stepped on my foot more times than I care to recall. Siblings can be tiring, and annoying at times. I could not imagine my life without them.” A smile dimpled his cheek at the admission, his affection for his family clear. He twirled her in a circle, guiding her movements in concert with his own.
She envied him in that regard. With a heavy heart, she confessed, “I had three brothers, but they all died in infancy.”
His footsteps faltered and sorrow marked his brow. “That is very sad to hear.”
“It is very sad to say. You are truly blessed. Your mother is quite proud of you all,” Elizabeth said, wishing she had remained mute on the subject. The loss of her own unborn child had lingered forever in her memory. The mood was decidedly dampened. She had been enjoying herself, despite being the center of attention.
“My mother is a woman of much sense except for this silly nonsense about specters you seem determined to taunt her with.”
Elizabeth stepped on his foot on purpose, earning her a satisfiedouchfrom him. “This is the second time tonight you have doubted my word.”
“Do you think to maul me for my doubt?” he asked.
“A woman must use all the weapons in her arsenal to defend her own honor.” She glided across the floor, confident in his ability to keep her safe. Throughout their ordeal in the study, she had relied on his expertise, and he hadn’t disappointed. He might have threatened to cut her out of the investigation, but he had yet to follow through with the warning.
“Do you feel a need to defend your honor from me?” He pulled her forward, and her hips brushed his as they traversed the crowded dance floor.
Her already heightened senses reeling from the contact, she willed her mind to stay on safer topics. She needed to hang onto her resolution with both hands. “Only if you continue to discount my word.”
The music swelled as the tempo increased. She turned her head and locked eyes with Randell. Fury dotted his cheeks, and he cut away from his partner. She swallowed the lump in her throat.
Langdon frowned down at her. “What is wrong? You look pale.”
“Randell noticed me, and he looks none too happy to see me here. We aren’t exactly friends.” In the past, she had not been subtle in her investigation of Lord Randell’s activities, and a mutual dislike had developed between them. Under normal circumstances, she doubted the gentleman would invite her to his home. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he had me escorted out.”
“There you’re wrong. He would dare not insult Lord and Lady Coburn, nor would he dare shame you in front of my mother. She might be seen as mild mannered, but don’t let her delicate appearance fool you. As a Countess, she wields a lot of power in society.”
“Your mother is all that is kind, but I sense a streak of fortitude in her manner. For it matches my own.” With a small laugh, she shook her head. Once again, he offered his protection, and the knowledge cracked the armor surrounding her heart. “You’re very lucky to have such a wonderful mother, but even she can’t erase the past. Randell and I are at odds over the, um, problem in Upper Waverly. Somehow I don’t foresee his opinion of me changing.”
“Randell and Pike are no longer your concern. I must insist you let me handle this from now on. They are dangerous men with no scruples. You must trust me and allow me to do what I promised.”
The music faded, cutting off the snappy response that rested on the tip of her tongue. Trust went both ways, and by his high-handed statement, he still didn’t have faith in her. He had underestimated her before, and he was doing so again. She forced a smile and allowed his escort off the dance floor. Pike was the key to proving Randell’s guilt, and she intended to find out everything she could about him. Once she had the information she needed, she could share it with Langdon. Until then, she had to keep her plans—and her lips—to herself.
The latter would be easy, the former would require every bit of self-control she possessed.
Chapter Fourteen
Langdon allowed his horse Demon his head and gripped the animal’s heaving sides with his thighs. The park was empty this early in the morning, the fresh smell of grass and trees a welcome boon after the stench of the city streets. The sound of hoofs fast approaching caught his attention, and he turned his head to see a familiar figure coming up fast behind him.
Demon’s ears twitched, his stride lengthening at the sign of competition.
He crouched lower over the horse’s neck and met Farnsworth’s determined stare. The horse he rode was impressive and a formidable match for Demon.
The end of the row where they rode was in sight, however, and he was forced to pull up on the reins. His one consolation was that Farnsworth was required to do the same. The horse went from a gallop to a trot. Demon’s sides heaved, and he shook his head, snorting.
