Although was she dependent? She said she was able to pay her way. Then what? How could he gain from leaving her friendless and alone, destitute as she had said? Or had he anticipated some such outcome as had occurred? Was he relying on the compassion of his world? Or, no. Was Maskery expecting or hoping Miss Temple might be compromised? He could then reappear to play the outraged guardian and demand recompense.
A niggle of regret snaked into Raoul’s head. Why had he to give in to a moment’s impulse and make that bid? What the deuce had he got himself into?
The arrival at the Latimer establishment was welcome. Once he had handed the girl over to Angelica, he could wash his hands of the business.
The door opened and he made to alight. Miss Temple put out a hand. “Stay, my lord.”
“Yes?” She hesitated, peering at him. Raoul noted a faint line between her brows and cursed inwardly. He had not meant to sound harsh. “What is it, Miss Temple?”
She shook her head. “Nothing.”
He did not pursue it, conscious of a disquieting mixture of guilt overlaid by irritation. At himself rather than Miss Temple. This was not her fault.
He got out and helped her down. Her hand was cold even through the glove and the inner disturbance increased. The sooner he extracted himself from this situation the better. It was shaping up to prove a confounded nuisance.
At least the rooms were virtually empty, those guests still remaining clearly in the process of making their farewells. Raoul guided his unwanted charge swiftly past the coterie around Mr and Mrs Latimer and hastened in search of his cousin. He found her sitting in the smaller saloon, in animated discussion with the twin daughters of the house.
The two girls looked round and the more outspoken Silvestre chirped up at once.
“Oh, Lord Lynchmere, there you are! We thought you had gone, and I did so want to ask you —” She broke off, her gaze travelling to the cloaked figure at his side.
Raoul’s irritation increased. There could be no doubt of where her curiosity had been tending. She wanted to ask about the mysterious Miss Temple.
“I need a word with my cousin, Miss Latimer, if you will be so good.”
His repressive tone had its effect as Silvestre’s cheeks flew colour. But he found himself called to order by Angelica, who rose to meet him.
“For shame, Raoul, how can you? You have no need to dismiss Silve and Hetty, because they have very kindly offered to take care of Miss Temple tonight, should it prove necessary.”
Infuriated, Raoul glared at her. “You told them? For God’s sake, Angelica! Why didn’t you just announce it to one and all?”
At this, Silvestre blushed again, but the softer Henrietta jumped up, frothing expostulation. “Oh, no, I assure you, my lord, we would not dream of saying a word. So horrid for poor Miss Temple!”
“There, you see, Raoul. You may trust them implicitly.”
“Yes, indeed. Pray don’t fear our tongues. Why, we are obliged to be discreet on our own account.” With which Henrietta put out her hands to his companion. “Dear Miss Temple, we are so very sorry. If we’d had an inkling of the truth, we should not have put you forward as we did. I do hope you were not overly embarrassed.”
Raoul found himself relegated to the background as Henrietta and Angelica between them drew Miss Temple into their circle and obliged her to sit. She was looking bemused, as well she might, and she had not yet spoken a word. At least, he recalled a vague murmur. Had she said his name?
A faint resentment at being ousted attacked him, but he crushed it. He had wanted to be rid of the business, had he not?
“Did you not find Lord Maskery then, sir?” Silvestre Latimer had come up. “Mrs Summerhayes said you had gone in search of him.”
The last was added in a placatory tone, as if she sought to excuse her previous lapse of tact. A trifle ashamed of his earlier rudeness, Raoul offered an abrupt apology.
“Forgive me, Miss Latimer. It’s been a difficult evening and my temper is rubbed.”
She made no comment on this. “But what did you find at the inn, my lord?”
“Nothing. Maskery had paid his shot and left, along with Miss Temple’s chaperon and all her belongings.”
“He abandoned her?” The hushed tone spoke her shock. “How cruel! And why? Why would he do such a thing?”
“That is what we all wish to know, Miss Latimer.” He had no intention of airing his views on the subject. “Not a word of this, if you please.”
“No, indeed. But what will she do? How can we help her?”
His opinion of her rose. “It would seem you are already helping. As for what she will do, I dare say you will find Miss Temple has her own views on the subject.”
