The word floated in the air between them.
A trap.
That was Elowyn’s first thought. Even if she wanted to believe that kindness given would be kindness returned, she would be a fool to trust any one of these women.
Lady Matilda’s face turned purple. “Are you truly going to deny Gabrielle her dream?”
The gall. “Iam not the one standing between Gabrielle and her dream. Best she look at her own actions before placing all the blame at my door. I may be unmarried after five seasons, but at least I’m not busy devising traps like some common schemer. At least I’m not standing in someone’s drawing room, pointing fingers instead of taking accountability for my own actions.”
Lady Gabrielle’s face filled with fury. “You will regret this.”
Oh, I already regret many things!
“Then I suppose I shall just have to regret. Now leave.” Elowyn pointed toward the door. “If you do not have the decency to treat me as a human being, do not darken my door again.”
Elowyn didn’t wait for them to move, she simply turned on her heel and marched off. She had a better, brighter season to plan than to dwell on the likes of them.
***
“Lady Elowyn Price?”
Wrath nodded. “That’s what my servant’s sleuthing uncovered. She’d roused the temper of Lady Gabrielle and her mother. Chances are, she’s exactly who you are looking forand,” his friend grinned, “she was wearing a pink dress.”
Julien tapped a finger on his desk.
Lady Elowyn Price.
“How have I never heard about her before?” Neverseenher before. He might not enjoy balls anymore, but given she’d debuted five years ago according to Wrath, he should have met her somewhere, right? But no. “What the devil was she doing roaming Cranbrook’s halls?”
“That’s the curious bit,” Wrath said, moving to the sideboard and pouring himself a brandy. “She shouldn’t have been anywhere near those halls as the chit has been a wallflower enough to avoid attention the past five years. She could teach spies the art of invisibility. A servant saw her following the Earl of Stagbourne.”
Stagbourne, heh?
“Whatever she was up to last night,” Wrath went on, “she stumbled directly into your trap instead, and it rattled her enough to leave.”
So, she lost him and found me.
Interesting.
Even more fascinating had been her response. He hadn’t given thought to it much last night since his ire over the whole debacle had lasted until sleep claimed him. This morning however, he had a clearer head.
She’d done him a great service last night.
Almost any other woman would have hesitated and caused a myriad of headaches. Now, only one remained. Convincing her to keep her silence on the matter. “She’s the daughter of Elias Price, the Marquess of Sandes?”
Wrath nodded.
Julien had met the man and his son before, but he didn’t know he had a daughter, too. If he recalled correctly, the Marchioness was a sweet, quiet woman who fell ill and passed away seven years ago. Nevertheless, what he glimpsed of Lady Elowyn last night . . .
The corner of his mouth twitched.
How had she remained a wallflower for five seasons?
A wild wallflower, perhaps?
“Also, I received word that Lady Gabrielle called on Lady Elowyn today.”
The rage that had settled somewhat since last night, flared hot again. “You put a man on her?”
