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I bristled at the knowing smirk on his face. Unfortunately, I couldn’t risk angering him even though I wanted to hit him.
I forced myself not to scowl. “Don’t mock me for this, but I need to know if everything went well with Claire this morning. I can’t help worrying that her stepmother bundled her into the carriage and spirited her away against her wishes.”
Kendrick, bastard that he was, didn’t try to hide his amusement. “And that would disappoint you?”
“You know very well what I’ve suffered over the last few weeks. I’ve enjoyed not having women following me around town and trying to sneak into my home.”
Kendrick laughed. “There’s only one woman you want following you everywhere, correct?”
My fists clenched as I anticipated the next time we sparred at Gentleman Jackson’s. But given how we’d provoked him while he was pretending to court Caroline, I could understand his amusement now. Even if he was incorrect about what was happening between Claire and me.
“So are you going to tell me if Claire managed to escape?”
Kendrick nodded. “Yes. She was all set to tell her stepmother that she wouldn’t be leaving with them when the woman announced that Claire was to follow in the second carriage. In the end, she didn’t say a word when they left.”
Damn, but I admired her. I could just imagine how angry her stepmother was going to be when they arrived home and she learned Claire hadn’t followed them.
I laughed. “I wish I could see the look on that woman’s face when she discovers she’s been outsmarted.”
“Indeed,” Kendrick said.
“So, I assume she’s settling in at your house.”
I couldn’t deny my relief at the news. I wouldn’t need to worry about Claire now, and it would be much easier to continue the pretense of our courtship.
“The wives were all waiting for her—Caroline, Diana, and Victoria. As soon as Claire arrived, they whisked her off to the modiste.”
I frowned. “Whatever for? I haven’t found her appearance lacking.” One corner of Kendrick’s mouth curved up at my observation, and I scowled at him. “Don’t say a word.”
He spread his arms wide in mock innocence. “I wasn’t planning on it. But you should know they’re going to take her to a masked ball tomorrow night.”
That had my senses on high alert. “Where?”
He leaned forward. “The public assembly ball that’s held monthly. They’re planning to introduce her to the more ‘carefree’ side of society now that she’s gained her independence.”
I swore, knowing full well what type of activities took place at such events.
“Don’t worry,” Kendrick said with an unconvincing earnestness. “I’ll be there, along with Moreland and Clifton. We’ll keep an eye out for her.”
“Will you?” I said with a frown. “Or will you each be spiriting your wives away to an alcove?”
“I’m sure it will be fine,” he said with false solemnity. “Maybe she’ll find someone to occupy her time.”
I rose to my feet and turned away without another word. The sound of Kendrick’s laughter followed me as I stormed from the card room.
I stopped when I was outside King’s and took a deep breath as I struggled to keep my panic in check. Two distinct courses of action lay before me. I could go to Kendrick’s townhouse now and, when the women returned, forbid Claire from attending the masquerade, or…
I wiped a hand down my face. I had no authority over her and couldn’t forbid Claire from doing anything.
And since I knew very well what debauchery took place at a public ball attended primarily by the demimonde, it seemed I had no choice but to attend that masquerade tomorrow night and ensure Claire was safe from nefarious ne’er-do-wells who’d have no qualms about ruining an innocent.
Damn Kendrick and his meddling.
Chapter 17
CLAIRE
The Legendary Wives of the ton were a force of nature against which I was powerless. But to be honest, I hadn’t put a great deal of effort into resisting their efforts to take me shopping. I expected to hang back and watch them, but it seemed they’d decided I was their next project.
