His cousin made a strangled sound, and Forrest checked he was breathing. He was, looking to the right. Mary Blake stood there, hands fisted, eyes firing sparks.
“Mary—”
“If there were two men left in this world and you were one and Lord Plunge the other, it would be he I wed. You are vulgar, repulsive, and without manners. Never speak to me again.”
“Mary, I—”
“Allow me to escort you somewhere, Mary.” Forrest moved to her side and away from his cousin. “He did not mean that. It was my fault; I should not have provoked him, Mary.”
“No, it is his fault entirely,” she snapped, looking around him to glare at Zach. “You are in no way to blame, Mr. Howarth, for your cousin’s bad manners.”
“Did I hear you call my name, Miss Blake?” Lord Plunge minced up, and it was then Forrest noted he had heels on his shoes.
“Plunge, what are those?” He pointed to them.
“They are quite the rage in Paris, I assure you,” the man said with a silly smile on his lips.
“I believe they were the fashion some time ago,” Forrest said.
“I have hopes that soon all of you will be following my lead again.”
“Not if they were the only shoes left in London.”
Mary laughed, which made him feel better.
“Come, Miss Blake, let us take refreshments and discuss more as to why I would make you an ideal husband.”
Forrest watched Mary Blake and Lord Plunge walk away. He turned back to his cousin. Zach looked sick. His face was pale, and his eyes were on Mary as she left.
“That was badly done, cousin. You have never insulted her quite like that before. I doubt even a morning call will fix what just transpired.”
“God, I know. I shall apologize.”
“I should not have provoked you. Forgive me also.”
They stood shoulder to shoulder watching Mary walk away.
“Did you see Plunge’s shoes?”
“How could I not?”
A servant held out a tray to Zach. “I have a note for you, sir.”
“Who handed it to you?”
“A boy arrived at the servants’ door, sir. He said it was important that we hand it at once to one of the Deville brothers.”
“Thank you.” Forrest handed the man some money as Zach took the note and moved away from the people to open it.
“It’s from Nix. There is a ship arriving tonight from India. He has had word that the Merchant will have men watching it.”
“He is seeking women for his brothel and whatever other nefarious deeds he has a hand in,” Forrest said.
“Clearly, and as the arrival of immigrants from India is rare, he sees this as an opportunity that there may be women on board.”
“How did Nix know you were here?”
“I have no idea, but he always does.”
