“I won’t. You are quite horrid, and Felicity will be wise to know it at the outset.”
Miss Temple’s freckles danced as she went into an unexpected peal of laughter. “Oh, I know it, ma’am. He was at pains to demonstrate the worst of his character to me last night.” Her features softened as she looked across at him. “Except that you are not uniformly unsympathetic, as I have good reason to know.”
His ruffled feathers subsided, yet it galled him to think he could be in the least dismayed by her ill opinion of him. He summoned his habitual pose of bored indifference. “I dare say we will do better to turn our minds to what may be done to discover Maskery’s whereabouts.”
A crease appeared between her brows. “Can they be discovered?”
“Readily, I imagine. I have put my secretary on to it. The fellow cannot have disappeared without trace.”
Angelica snorted. “He would not be the first gamester to flee the country to escape his creditors.”
Miss Temple’s frown deepened as she regarded Raoul. “Is that what you suppose? He has gone abroad?”
“I think it probable.”
“But not France, Raoul.”
“Holland, more likely. From there he may find his way to Prussia, or eventually Italy. Out of reach, in any event.”
“Leaving everyone who won from him out of pocket, including you, Raoul.”
He shrugged. “It’s the risk of gaming.” He found himself under the beam of Miss Temple’s direct gaze. Was there disapproval in it? He raised his quizzing glass and surveyed her through it. “What, ma’am? You look as if you have a ready lecture under your tongue.”
She made a faint moue of disgust. “I should have thought a marquis might have a better use for his money than to squander it in such a wasteful fashion.”
Angelica’s shocked intake of breath echoed a streak of fury in his breast. It was short-lived. He gave a rueful laugh, dropping his glass. “Your society, Miss Temple, is nothing if not chastening. How right you are.”
A faint colour overlaid her freckles for a moment, and then receded. “I ought to take it back, I dare say, but I won’t. When one must count every penny, the very thought of such shocking extravagance is anathema.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “Do you include your guardian in this wholesale condemnation?”
“Of course. More indeed, since he clearly could not afford it. Talk of playing with fire. I only wish he might have refrained from involving me in the business.”
He was glad of Angelica’s intervention, which saved his having to answer the unanswerable.
“That is past praying for, my dear Felicity.” She returned to her usual briskness. “It appears there is nothing further to be done until your fellow Jerram has found out anything he can. We will repair to Cherry Lodge in a day or so and you may send to us there, Raoul, when you know something.”
Miss Temple said nothing, instead regarding the clasped hands in her lap. Had she acquiesced in this scheme, then? He recalled she had been writing at the bureau when he entered the room.
“Have you a scheme of your own in mind, Miss Temple?”
She looked up and Raoul noted strain in her eyes. “I had been swayed by your cousin’s persuasions, but now…”
“Now, Felicity, don’t say you have changed your mind. Merely because of Lynchmere’s news? Raoul, speak to her!”
“If Miss Temple has decided otherwise, I cannot think any words of mine will alter her determination.”
“No, they won’t.” She was sounding defiant again. Then she seemed to soften, turning to Angelica. “Don’t think me ungrateful. I am tempted beyond endurance, if you wish to know the truth.”
“Excellent.” Angelica beamed. “Then there is nothing more to be said.”
“Yes, there is.” Her gaze returned to Raoul’s. “You had better know your cousin insisted on buying me clothes which she says you will pay for. That was all very well before I knew of this dreadful debt Lord Maskery owes you, but —”
“Good heavens, child, that is nothing to the purpose! As Raoul says, and I agree, the debt is not your concern. Moreover, the clothes are a bagatelle, are they not, Raoul?”
He held up a hand. “Enough, Angie. You are oppressing Miss Temple.” Bypassing the whole matter of the clothes, which were indeed a bagatelle as far as he was concerned, he addressed another point. “To whom were you writing? Your employer at the academy?”
She nodded. “I must ask her at once if she will have me back, or she will fill the vacancy and there will be no place for me.”
