Page 18 of An Enchantress for an Earl

Chapter Seven

“What is it, Violet?”

Lily came to her, her expression curious. Violet held it out.

“It’s a bank note. But… I suspect that it’s a forgery.”

“A forgery? Why would you suspect that? And where did you get it?”

“That’s rather a long story, involving overheard conversations. I think that I need to tell Trent about it.”

At that moment, there was a sound from outside the terrace doors, and Violet stopped, her eyes going that way. What if it was Villeham? Or someone else? No one should hear what she was about to say. She shoved the note back into her reticule, took Lily by the arm, and quickly unlocked the door.

Lily made no argument to being dragged unceremoniously out into the hallway. She simply gently patted her sister’s hand.

“Come to call on us tomorrow, then you can tell Trent and I at the same time.”

“I will – that is by far the most sensible idea.”

They wound their way back through the halls towards the ballroom, but were stopped near the card room door when Trent stepped out and slipped his arm through Lily’s. She lifted her face to his with a smile.

“Excellent timing, my dear. Violet has made a… discovery… and will call on us tomorrow to tell you more.”

Trent raised an enquiring eyebrow at Violet, who shook her head, and spoke in a near whisper.

“Not here. Wait until tomorrow. This should not be overheard.”

“As you will. Let us return to the ballroom.”

>>>

In the doorway of the card room, Lord Villeham had come to a sharp halt, not wishing to draw notice to himself by pushing past the people who had stopped in the hall. Which meant that he overheard their words.

Disquiet filled him – it might be a perfectly innocent discussion, about family matters which they wanted to keep private, but still – he could equally interpret those words as meaning that the lady had, somehow, found out something about his dealings with Cater. It seemed unlikely, but nonetheless, a cold shiver ran down his spine.

They would need to be triply careful from now on.

The people turned towards the ballroom, and Cater appeared beside him.

“Why the hesitation in the doorway? There are drinks to be had, and attractive women to dance with.”

“There are, but I just overheard something that worries me.”

“What?”

“A young woman claiming that she had made a discovery, which should be kept secret, and arranging to tell Canterford about it tomorrow.”

“And why does that worry you? It’s likely some scandalous affair she’s heard about, or the like. Even if she knew anything which might concern us, why would a gentleman believe a silly young woman if she made such a claim, especially a quiet man like Canterford? Relax and enjoy yourself – that’s the whole purpose of our… enterprise… after all, isn’t it?”

Villeham shrugged, and allowed himself to be convinced, but still, a seed of worry had burrowed into his thoughts, and would not be uprooted. If he saw any evidence to support his concerns, in the next week or two, he would have to act – he was not about to lose everything on the word of a silly chit.

Perhaps he should dance with the girl, and see what she was like…

>>>

Arryn had arrived at the Ball later than usual, and been unable to prevent himself from immediately scanning the room, looking for Lady Violet. He saw some members of her family, but not her, and disappointment filled him. Rapidly followed by annoyance with himself.

He had resolved to avoid her – he should be glad that she was not present.