Very well. Not willing to allow Lord Roberts to think he’d gotten the best of her, she lifted her chin and marched back toward the entrance.
Before she’d gotten very far, a small hand grabbed her arm.
“Well, that was a disappointment,” Susannah said.
“What are you doing here?” Javenia asked. “Go back and enjoy your day.”
John came even with her other side. “We brought you, Javenia. We intend to leave with you.”
Susannah gave a sharp nod. “Yes, if you are not welcome, then we do not want to associate with the likes of them.”
The tears that had burned in Javenia’s eyes spilled over. John quickly offered a linen and she tried to keep them at bay, but once they reached the carriage, all semblance of control fled.
Algenon hadn’t protected her. The knowledge reverberated off the walls of her heart. In all their years together, he’d been the one person she could trust in that regard, and he’d failed her.
Chapter 18
Algenon gripped the glass in his hand so tight his knuckles ached. Javenia had been crying when she left that afternoon and he’d done nothing about it. Every inch of him had wanted to rush to her, to gather her in his arms. Either that or strike his father for whatever he’d said to her.
Instead, he’d frozen, fearful one move in her direction would make his father announce to the entire crowd what had happened to her.
Hatred like nothing he’d ever felt before in his life burned in his chest. How could his father be so cruel? It wasn’t Javenia’s fault Lord Penwick had lied to her, led her to believe she was safe, and had then taken advantage of her. Nor had it been her choice.
Another young woman faced the crowd of those gathered at Mrs. Cline’s musicale, but he hardly noticed which one as he leaned against the back wall. The rest of his family sat in chairs near the front, Phillipa having accepted an invitation to perform.
As Algenon had expected, his father did not attend the House of Lords, nor did Lord Rupert or Lord Falcross. What a waste. They had a chance to change England for the better and instead they’d sipped tea at Gunter’s and talked of nothing at all. Thankfully, Lord Falcross and Miss Weston had excused themselves for the evening, having been engaged to dine elsewhere.
The relief Algenon had felt was short-lived, however, when Lord Rupert announced his intentions to attend the musicale in order to hear Phillipa sing. Even now, the grey-haired man with a paunchy middle and a stern demeanor ogled his sister as she waited her turn.
Throwing back the rest of his drink, he set the glass down before he broke it. His father might bully him, but Algenon would not allow Phillipa to be thrown to the wolves. Old, disgusting wolves at that. Lord Rupert had daughters older than her, for heaven’s sake.
Everyone clapped as the young woman at the front finished her song and Algenon belatedly joined them. Several people shifted as Lady Plum rose from her seat. Surely she wasn’t their next performer. He’d never seen the woman display one bit of musical talent in all the years he’d known her. Instead of going to the front, the slender old woman with the perfectly coiffed silver hair marched to the back of the room.
He watched her curiously until Jacinda Harris stole his attention when she rose and made her way to the front. Another wave of guilt washed over him. Javenia was not here. Had she stayed home to avoid him? More than likely it was to avoid his father.
“Why are you not singing?”
Algenon startled and looked down to find Lady Plum standing next to him. “Because we must let the ladies exhibit. Their talents far outweigh my own.”
She sniffed. “Do not play at humility. It does not suit you. I have never seen a performance that could rivel the duet you and Miss Harris put on two seasons ago.”
He remembered. Javenia had a sweet lilt to her voice that had always complimented his baritone. They had sung in perfect harmony.
“Where is Miss Harris this evening?” Lady Plum pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes. Lifting a monocle from her reticule she examined the crowd. “Is she ill? You are hardly ever without her, so I should not think she would accept an invitation elsewhere. And that is her sister up there, if I am not mistaken.”
Algenon fought the urge to rub the back of his neck. Had Lady Plum really noticed how often they were together?
“I am uncertain why she did not attend,” he said softly, not wanting those around them to overhear.
She looked at him sidelong. “I hardly doubt that. When are you going to settle down and marry that girl?”
The question hit him square in the chest. “I’m not, that is, I…” he sputtered.
A pair of gentlemen on the back row glanced over their shoulders and Algenon cringed. The dark-haired gentleman looked at him curiously. His face was familiar, but he could not place him. The other gentleman he knew well. Lord Hamdon’s accusatory blue eyes met his.
Had he heard his denial?
Lady Plum tsked. “How can you say such a thing? Do you not know what an expectation you have raised these last four seasons, at least? I know Lord Falcross has been throwing his dissolute daughter at you lately, but you are wiser than that. Miss Harris will be quite ruined if you do not do right by her. Society has seen the way you dance and flirt.” She placed a hand to the side of her mouth and lowered her voice. “And usingChristian names…” She shook her head like it was the most scandalous thing she’d ever witnessed.
