Page 58 of Redemption of a Marquess

Chapter Thirteen

When they entered the opera house, the furtive glances and low murmurs told Valan the gossip that Jeanine had rejected Lord Gordon’s suit had spread through Edinburgh more quickly and thoroughly than he’d hoped. He would have to thank Peigi. Her network of gossipmongers was impressive.

He kept Jeanine close. Between himself, Miss Stone and Peigi, she would remain safe. Valan had to admit, he’d never enjoyed the opera more, and intermission came all too soon. He ordered refreshments and stood. He was getting to old to sit for so long without stretching. A knock came to the box door. The women all looked at him.

He started toward the door.

“Please do not get angry,” Jeanine begged.

“What have I to be angry about, my dear?” He opened the door.

Young Martin Hayes stood outside their box in the dimly lit walkway. Valan had a good idea what the lad wanted. An unexpected sadness stabbed.

“My lord,” Martin began.

Valan held up a hand, palm out, and looked over his shoulder at the women. His attention caught on Jeanine’s midnight blue satin dress. The fabric hugged her curves and almost gleamed in the candlelight. Her met her gaze. Fear shone in her eyes.

He smiled gently. “Ladies, excuse me. I will be just outside the door, speaking with Mr. Hayes.” He stepped from the room and closed the door.

“My lord, forgive the intrusion,” Martin began, then waited as a man and woman passed. When they were out of earshot, he said, “What is this nonsense about my grandfather wedding a young woman?”

“Perhaps you should speak with your grandfather,” Valan said.

“I have, but he refuses to give me any details other than you know the lady. Is that true?”

“It is,” Valan said.

“Sir, surely you realize my grandfather is quite elderly. What can he possibly want with any wife, much less a young one?”

“Perhaps when you are an old man you will understand,” Valan said.

The lad stiffened. “I am a man of the world, and not ignorant of a lady’s charms. But my grandfather—bloody hell, sir, she can be of no good use to him, and he certainly cannot be of any use to her.”

“You might underestimate your grandfather,” he replied mildly, and was startled to realize the thought bothered him.

Martin frowned as if Valan were insane. “I demand that you cease interfering in my grandfather’s affairs.”

“I would say it is you who are interfering.”

“The young lady will not be welcome in our house,” Martin snapped.

Valan looked at him through shuttered eyes. “Do you refer to Whitmore House or perhaps Howton Castle?”

The lad’s mouth fell open. “Are you saying we, his family, would not be welcome in our grandfather’s home?”

“I believe that is what you are saying.”

A manservant arrived with the refreshments Valan had ordered. He stepped aside and allowed the man entrance, then said to Martin, “You will excuse me. I hope you enjoy the remainder of the opera.” Valan angled his head in a slight bow, then returned to the opera box and closed the door.

* * *

When they finally arrived home, Jeanine wasn’t surprised when Grey insisted that Peigi stay the night, as her home was nearly an hour away. She took the Gold guest chambers.

Despite Miss Stone’s insistence that she needed to help Jeanine with her evening toilet, Jeanine sent Miss Stone to her chambers. Jeanine sat on the bench at her vanity, her heart filled with a mixture of relief and apprehension. The half dozen prayers she’d sent up during the opera had been answered. Lord Gordon hadn’t made an appearance. But she knew too well he wasn’t finished with the marquess. Grey said he wasn’t to marry Lady Claire, but what if that had been a lie so that she wouldn’t feel responsible for the trouble she’d caused?

Either way, Lord Gordon could—and would—ruin him on account of her. Not to mention, Grey was certain to exact revenge for the awful letters Lord Gordon had written. Grey hadn’t said a word to her about the letters, but he wouldn’t. Lady Guildford was right; Grey was an intensely private man.

Her heart squeezed. She had to leave Finley Hall.