Page 107
Hell and the Devil confound it.
He was no longer that innocent, coddled, confused child. Nor could Willard provoke him into losing his mind. He’d learned discipline, defined his character, and he would use all those things in service of his...
He glanced back at Lenora.
Oh, God. In service of his love.
He had yielded to Willard for the last time.
Neville returned, looking grim.
“Let’s just call off the lot draw,” Asquith said to Blackwell.
“Why?” Neville asked.
Blackwell shook his head. “Neville wouldn’t have taken part if he hadn’t agreed that Miss Millicent required protection from her worst inclinations. And the odds I gave, ten to one that she would embroil herself in a scandal before the Season was done, have just increased.”
Neville sent Blackwell a dark look. “Per the terms of our agreement, I remain sworn to watch over Miss Millicent for the remainder of the Season. I gave my word.”
Asquith matched Neville’s commitment. If Neville protected Millie, Asquith could see to Lenora—and anything else Willard had planned.
He focused his gaze on the dance floor. “Heaven help us all if Willard...”
“I know,” Neville replied miserably.
Blackwell cleared his throat, alerting Asquith to the proximity of two Almack’s patronesses, Mrs. Drummond-Burrell and Countess Lieven.
All three men politely acknowledged the ladies as they passed them by.
“I don’t intend to cry off,” Neville resumed the conversation. “If anything, what just happened only proves my earlier point.”
Blackwell raised his eyebrows. “Which point was that?”
Neville stared ahead as if in shock. His outward appearance was impassive, but the intermittent pulse in his forehead suggested a mind fully engaged.
“Ahem.” Blackwell leaned in. “Is something the matter, Neville?”
“I said leave off,” Asquith said to Blackwell.
“I need no defending,” Neville snapped. “Especially from you, Asquith. Now can you finally see the danger to your ward?”
Asquith’s jaw flexed as he clenched his teeth. Instead of lashing out at his closest ally, his gaze strayed to Lenora.
She’d grown even paler, and she had that lost, uncertain look that always awakened something fierce inside of him.
“I should have heeded your warning,” Asquith said. “I believed that if Millie were a danger to anyone, it would only be to you.”
Neville cleared his throat. “What potential danger could she be to me?”
Asquith turned toward Blackwell and threw up his hands.
“Front row seats,” Blackwell whispered.
“What is that supposed to mean?” Neville demanded.
Blackwell shrugged. “I am only sorry you were prevented from putting your plan into immediate action. I was looking forward to watching the two of you take to the floor. Cutting in was terribly rude of Willard. Unless...” Blackwell’s voice trailed. Then his eyes lit. “Perhaps Willard’s interference will prove an unexpected blessing!”
“Blessing?” Asquith repeated questioningly.
