An older-looking couple greeted Lady Helton while Mr. Black’s emerald gaze lazily searched the room. Gone were the spectacles and rolled-up sleeves from earlier that morning, along with his unshaven jaw and tousled hair. Tonight, a skilled valet had transformed Maxwell Black into an elegant earl once again, dressing him in a suit that, although not as elaborate what the tall man with Reed wore, stood out just the same.
Wearing mostly black, but for a pristine white shirt and cravat, Caroline’s employer was easily the most handsome man in the room.
And, similar to his demeanor at the ball a few nights before, he looked bored.
Until his gaze landed on Caroline.
His eyes narrowed. Was he checking up on her? She had encouraged him to attend, heck, she’d begged him to attend, but now that he was here, she couldn’t remember why.
“What’s he doing here?” Goldie whispered from beside her. “Because we haven’t told Reed yet and we cannot afford a scene…”
Caroline was already rising out of her chair. “I’ll handle him.”
Wishing she felt as confident as she sounded, she edged her way out of their row, smoothed her skirts and, ignoring the whispers that seemed to follow her wherever she went, strode toward Lord Helton and his mother.
“My dear Lady Caroline.” Lady Helton smiled. “What a pleasure to see you here this evening.” Her tone came out so warm that Caroline had to force herself not to glance around.
Because hardly anyone spoke to her with such kindness—not in Mayfair, anyhow.
“My lady,” Caroline curtsied. “I’m quite looking forward to tonight’s performance.”
The countess winced and then laughed before tapping her son’s arm with her fan. “You remember Maxwell.” The gleam in the woman’s eyes was a knowing one.
Caroline shifted and held the earl’s stare. He lifted a brow and shrugged.
Of course his mother knew.
He’d mentioned her more than once, hadn’t he? In fact, Caroline suspected he might not have hired her at all if his mother wasn’t so involved in society.
“How could I forget? My lord.” Caroline curtsied again, showing more grace than she normally did.
He, in turn, bowed over her hand. “My lady. Would you care to take a turn around the room with me?”
“But the performance—”
“Won’t begin for another half an hour at least,” Lady Helton supplied. “And once it does, you’ll wish it hadn’t.”
“Oh?”
Rather than allowing his mother to elaborate, the earl tucked Caroline’s hand over his arm and was already steering her toward a row of roped-off paintings, walking at a snail’s pace, similar to a few other couples around them.
She felt all the stares yet again, only this time, rather than landing on her with contempt, they held curiosity and something else…
Jealousy?
Surely not approval.
“I haven’t told my brother yet,” she blurted out her concern since he seemed to be walking them toward Reed and his companions.
“He’ll find out eventually.”
“Yes,” Caroline admitted. “When I’m ready.”
“I hope that’s soon.” Nonetheless, he changed direction so they instead arrived at the refreshment table. Looking distracted, he handed her a glass of lukewarm lemonade.
When he gestured toward the trays filled with small pieces of cheese and bread, she declined.
“I nearly broke a tooth on the bread when we first arrived.”
