“Too kind,” Selina repeated, softening her tone. Lady Aldershot meant no harm, after all.
Aunt Ursula was much less innocent, but Selina did not have the opportunity to make her feelings clear before Malcolm appeared.
He was wholly unrepentant, as she expected, and muddy to the thighs, which she did not. Percival the retired coach dog limped at his heels, equally besmirched, and equally pleased with himself.
“My ladies,” said Malcolm, making a low bow. He did not fully enter Lady Aldershot’s drawing room, but stood on the tiled floor of the hallway, greeting them through the open door. “I cannot thank you enough for taking me in.” Percy gave a yip of recognition on spotting Selina, but Malcolm stilled him with a stern glare. “Down, Sir Percival. You are in no fit state to greet the ladies. Wait until you have bathed.”
“It was the least I could do!” Lady Aldershot simpered. Selina saw that it was not only the younger girls of the ton who were susceptible to Malcolm’s dashing smile. “I only wish my men had been able to rescue your lovely phaeton in time for you to be on your way. I’m sure your business was very urgent.”
“Oh, it can wait a day or two.” He winked, sending both older ladies into flutters. “I’m afraid I must trouble you for a change of clothes. I am not fit to be seen, particularly in Lady Selina’s company.” He shot her a look full of dark promise. She pretended she had not noticed.
“I will ask my butler to find something for you,” said Lady Aldershot, all aquiver with concern. “I cannot say what he will turn up. I do not keep gentleman’s clothing in the house!”
“A simple pair of trousers will more than suffice.” Malcolm bowed and took his leave, scooping Percy up under his arm. Selina was left fuming, suspicious, and obliged to maintain a smile to please her hostess, despite Aunt Ursula’s provocative grin.
By the time Malcolm returned, the ladies had begun their afternoon tea, always a lavish affair in Lady Aldershot’s house. Malcolm’s eyes gleamed as he took in the spread of sandwiches, cakes, and sweetmeats. He was wearing a pair of trousers that were too large for his trim frame, held in place by a thick belt that did not match them. He wore the indignity with insouciant ease. Percy, freshly primped by Lady Aldershot’s staff, followed at his heels with a lopsided trot.
“I could not have chosen a better place to be marooned if I tried, Lady Aldershot,” said Malcolm, popping a grape into his mouth. His eyes found Selina, and his smile widened.
“You flatter me, Your Grace,” Lady Aldershot flustered. “I cannot compete with London’s attractions, I’m sure.”
Malcolm set his plate aside and took her hand, assuming an air of absolute sincerity. “Really, my lady, I could not be more grateful for your hospitality today.”
Lady Aldershot was flattered, and Selina, despite herself, was pleased.
Though she took care not to show it, when Malcolm took a seat beside her, his appetite sated but a hunger in his eyes all the same.
“What a piece of good fortune that I found you here today,” he said, his voice a low purr. Selina checked that the older ladies were not listening and treated him to an icy glare. The effect was spoiled a little by the necessity of petting Percy, who had come to say hello.
“I cannot believe that fortune had anything to do with it, Your Grace.”
“Don’t you believe in luck?” Malcolm dropped his roguish act. “I find myself in your debt, Selina. I have a secret of yours. You must have one of mine in return.”
She fixed her attention on the dog, feeding him a small piece of ham from her sandwich. “I do not wish to hear any of your secrets.”
“Nevertheless.”
Percival settled himself contentedly at Selina’s feet, his appetite sated. She was left with no choice but to look up at Malcolm, eyes narrow and knowing. “I can think of something worth hearing. The name of the man who is buying the Twynham election on your behalf.”
Malcolm’s jaw tightened. “If I knew that, I would tell you. It’s as much an insult to me as it’s a threat to your Mr Forrester.”
“But you do know it,” she pressed. “I saw your face when you heard him suggest a bribe to Mr Griggs.” The memory of Malcolm’s shock, close and intimate in the dark, intruded upon her composure, but she suppressed it. “You knew him. I am sure of it.”
“Then you do not know me as well as you think. I was upset to hear about the bribe because it impugned my capability. I will win the Twynham seat, Selina. Someone imagines I need their aid, and the thought irks me. But I cannot tell you who that someone might be.”
“You will not win it,” she answered with a smile, “but you should not be ashamed. Mr Forrester is worth ten of your Sir Rodericks, and any man with sense will prove it with his ballot.”
“Let us agree to disagree.” Malcolm glanced towards the old ladies, who were gossiping together peaceably. “It would not do to distress Lady Aldershot with an argument.”
Selina knew that he was right, and the thought that His Gorgeous Grace displayed more tact than she did was alarming. “Very well. Shall we discuss the weather?”
“If you can think of no other suitable topic.”
“But the weather is precisely what has brought you here, is it not?” Selina widened her eyes, all innocence. She saw the flash of guilt on Malcolm’s face. “You must have been very surprised to find mud on the road in the middle of an English winter. Just as I was surprised to find you venturing so far from London today, when I know you hate the rain.”
He opened his mouth to
