“I didn’t say you were like that. I rather fear you are not. I merely suggest you act like one.” His dark brows lowered over his unwavering, steely gaze. “If I must, I will take steps to ensure your safety.”
She stared up at him. “What steps? How could you?”
His lips firmed. “Just believe that I will.”
Annoyed, she glared at him, but he appeared unmoved as he steered her toward her seat and spoke briefly to her grandmother.
He bowed. “It has been my pleasure, Miss Tothill.”
It was so absurd, she almost laughed. She was sure he had hated every minute with her. Thea raised her eyebrows as she curtsied. “And mine, for the most part, sir. The musicians were excellent,” she murmured, trusting her grandmother’s hearing was not what it once was.
His shoulders stiffened. She watched his broad back disappear among the throng of guests. The viscount was so sure of himself. She would love to learn something of vital interest to him and prove him wrong about her. She might even save that poor man’s life.
Ash gritted histeeth. The more he saw of Miss Tothill, the more concerned he became. Had Farnborough seen her before he snatched her away? If he had, he would consider her a danger to him. This could be an attempt to find out what she’d heard. Or could marriage be on his mind? Both possibilities alarmed him. She was pretty, quite lovely when she smiled, the daughter of a wealthy knight, and by all accounts had a handsome dowry. He would not stand by and see her married to such a man. But could he prevent her engagement to Farnborough if her father wished it?
He had heard talk of the deceased Lady Farnborough’s immense wealth inherited from her first marriage, tied up in a trust for her daughter Julia when she came of age. But the girl would still be a child. Had Farnborough’s solicitors been able to break it? He would wager Farnborough had tried. If not, with his penchant for gambling, he could be dished up, and it might well be Miss Tothill’s dowry that held the attraction.
The whole affair gave him pause for thought, for it was hard to second guess what Miss Tothill might do or say next, which alarmed him more. She considered herself able to outwit the fellow. While Ash admitted she was bright, she was a baby bird just out of the nest and Farnborough a cunning fox. Should it be necessary, what could Ash do to whisk her away from under his nose?
His thoughts consumed him as he paced the floor until several friends accused him of snubbing them. Apologizing, he joined in their conversation, but his mind still dwelled on the problem which Miss Tothill presented. He’d noticed the stubborn cast to her chin, which boded ill, despite the charming dimple which peeped from the corner of her mouth when she smiled. She rarely smiled in his company, and he was sorry for it. Surely, a young girl should be enjoying her London Season.
Reade beckoned Ash from across the room. Excusing himself, Ash made his way to him.
“I took the trace of snuff to a shop in Fleet Street,” Reade explained after they’d strolled through an archway into a quiet alcove. “It’s a special blend of cinnamon and rum from the Caribbean. The fellow sells it to only three gentlemen.” He removed a paper from his coat pocket. “Stuart Ross, Grantly Wilberforce, and Sir Ralph Tothill.”
Ash took it and read it. He swore under his breath. “Tothill?” This was grim news. Surely, he couldn’t be involved in this.
“Yes, I wondered at that. But it appears he is an associate of Farnborough.”
“A coincidence, surely,” Ash said sharply. “Sir Ralph Tothill is an honorable gentleman of some means.”
Reade shrugged. “Don’t know Wilberforce. I have met Stuart Ross but know little about him. Neither fit the description of the two men who met with Farnborough in the tavern.”
“No. They were not the sort you’d find at a ball,” Reade said. “Although it begs the question what such men would want with Farnborough.”
Ash groaned. “This might prove a waste of time. Someone else could have used the snuff before these men arrived.”
“Let’s see if any of them are here tonight,” Reade said. “Failing that, we can ask Freddie Cooper-Jones to find out if they were present at the Duchess of Worthing’s ball last week. He is a favorite of hers.”
“Even if they attended, it proves nothing. And he will want to know why,” Ash cautioned. “Freddie is curious as a cat and can be indiscreet.”
“There’s that, of course,” Reade admitted. “I must word my request carefully. Leave it with me.”
Ash turned and gazed over at Miss Tothill. A gentleman had sought her hand for the next dance. If she met someone she favored, it could drive these dangerous thoughts from her head and possibly cause Farnborough to lose interest in her.
Somehow, he doubted such a determined young woman, so resistant to flirtation, would suddenly succumb to romance, even if Byron himself came to ask her to dance. And for some obscure reason, he didn’t wish it to be so.
Chapter Five
At the announcementof the supper dance, Lord Farnborough walked purposefully toward her. With a smile, he bowed over her grandmother’s hand before escorting Thea onto the dance floor, his proprietorial manner sparking more annoyance in her than trepidation. She smoothed a long white glove up to her elbow and faced him as their set formed. Noting how his gaze drifted over her with an assessing expression, Grainger’s warning sounded in her ears. Chills skated over her skin. She fought not to shudder at the ruthless, cruel man before her.
How could she possibly hope to best him at his own game? She’d considered it insufferable when Grainger advised her to act like a foolish young woman with her head filled with elegant fashions while searching for those gentlemen seeking a wife. But his suggestion didn’t seem such a poor idea now. Her plan to tease something of value from this man seemed akin to poking a snake.
Miss Birken, a debutante Thea had briefly chatted to, joined their set with her partner. Thea smiled at her, admiring her dainty white gown embroidered with lemon flowers and delicate green fronds.
“I simply must ask Miss Birken who made her lovely gown,” Thea gushed to Farnborough. “I shall only be a moment.”
“Miss Tothill?” Miss Birken’s eyes widened as Thea came to stand before her.
