"Is there anywhere more uncomfortable than a Mayfair ballroom on a warm night?”
“I cannot think of one presently.”
The earl nodded as they distanced themselves from the revelry that could still be heard behind the closed doors.
Although he’d been the one to seek her out, it was Caroline who broke the silence.
“I was surprised to see you here,” she offered, trailing her fingertips along the flowers.
He made a sound that was half grunt, half sigh. “I attend as few events as I can get away with.”
“But you are a titled gentleman, and you have a mother,” she provided, a knowing smile curling her lips.
He whipped his head around and she thought she saw surprise.
“Indeed,” he answered.
She’d liked to believe he’d asked her to dance because he had wanted to—because he’d enjoyed talking with her in the park.
But as she’d just acknowledged, he had a mother. And his asking her to dance had no doubt been his mother’s idea.
Even so, she trusted him enough to explore their hosts’ garden together, unchaperoned.
As for her reputation, well, she doubted she could damage that more than she already had.
Caroline did not view her near ruination as being tragic, like other debutantes would. Because landing a husband was not her priority—ensuring her brother avoided murder charges was.
Even if she was graceful and elegant like the other ladies, many remained suspicious of her brother. Their family, she was coming to believe, simply didn’t belong in London.
Not Mayfair, anyway.
“Did you find fault with today’s Gazette?” he asked.
Caroline stumbled and would have fallen flat on her face—yet again—if he hadn’t such a good grip on her elbow.
Because he had remembered how she’d insulted his reading, and he was choosing not to forget it.
“My apologies, my lord. I meant no offence.” She really needed to reign in some of her opinions.
“I think you did.” He patted her hand.
“I am far too outspoken.” No one in Mayfair seemed to appreciate honesty. Except for her own family—and her sister-in-law, Goldie.
He laughed. “I won’t argue with that. But you have not answered my question.”
“You can’t really wish to know…”
“But I do.”
“Hmm…” Caroline pondered what she’d read that morning. “I never appreciate the speculation about my brother. Especially when it’s no more than hearsay. Mr. Black would do well to check his facts before publishing such nonsense.” The Gazette had run yet another article that alluded to the former Earl of Standish’s death. But it had not simply been her uncle’s death. Her cousin, her father, and Randall, her eldest brother, had died as well.
She blinked away tears that burned the backs of her eyes when she thought of them. The pain they’d endured. The fear after realizing they were trapped.
“Your loyalty is commendable, but the magistrate wants Scotland Yard to open an investigation,” the earl pointed out. “Arson. Murder. A secret marriage. The Gazette’s publisher would be a fool to leave that out.”
“If Scotland Yard cares about the truth, they will look elsewhere.” She scowled. “My brother wouldn’t hurt a fly, let alone beloved family members.”
“Where would you suggest they look?” The earl showed his good manners by holding a branch back for her.
