“Lord Carlisle?” She couldn’t prevent the sound of relief that escaped her exclamation.
She’d considered that he might be in attendance but hadn’t expected to be able to speak with him.
And now he was here.
“Rhododendron.” His face appeared, oh so dear, merriment in his eyes and a reassuring smile.
She covered her mouth to hide the answering smile that had burst from somewhere deep inside of her. Oh, but she’d been dreading tonight and now she somehow felt she had absolutely nothing to fear.
She allowed him to assist her to the pavement and then tuck her hand inside the crook of her arm.
Her mother had already located one of her friends and appeared to be in deep conversation. Her mother never had quite embraced the duties of a dedicated chaperone.
“I trust you have been well.” His voice rumbled near her ear.
“I have been holed up in my bedchamber like a mouse,” she admitted. So very unlike her. “It is high time I face the felines.”
He laughed. “You’re no mouse, Miss Mossant.”
She couldn’t stop herself from turning to meet his gaze.
Oh, how she’d missed his face.
She wanted to ask if he’d had any luck with his finances. He seemed quite jovial for a man in dun territory. “And you, my lord?” She tilted her head. “You appear ever so cheerful this evening. Have you met with any luck?”
He winced and shook his head. “It’s just the sight of you, I’m afraid.”
Oh, my. How could words set one’s heart to flight and then send it plummeting to the ground in one fell swoop?
The news, however, made her stumble.
She and Sophia might have to sneak into White’s after all.
At the same revelation, she wondered if a lady would be sent to Newgate for doing so. For a female to enter into such an iconic male domain might be right up there with breaking the Ten Commandments. Or even worse, the King’s laws. Or the Regent’s laws, be that as it may.
He steadied her and chuckled. “You’ve nothing to fear tonight.” He must have mistaken her expression for trepidation of the evening ahead.
He must mean to watch over her, protect her.
Ah, yes, she’d have to break into White’s with Sophia’s assistance or without. For Rhoda was tired of keeping herself hidden away, and it was time this wager came to some sort of conclusion.
Rhoda would rather thrive than survive.
“At least I’m aware, tonight.” She turned and smiled up at him. She’d ignore those who turned away from her.
Would they be willing to shun an earl as well?
“None will have even an inkling of opportunity. As for myself, however, I would ask for a few places on your dance card.”
She’d not tied it to her wrist like she normally would have. With her free hand, she dipped into her bodice and produced the pristine card for his perusal. He paused, plucked it from her fingers, and ordered her to turn around. When she did so, she felt the paper on her back, along with the pressure of his writing.
He was signing her card on her back.
“Lord Carlisle!” She twisted to look over her shoulder in mock disapproval.
How could he so handily put her at ease with all these people watching? Nothing had become known publicly regarding their aborted betrothal. Sophia had assured her of this.
Prescott could always sniff such information out, and he always shared it with Sophia.
