Then she was gone, slipping into the dark house like a shadow, leaving Malcolm with nothing but Percy at his feet and an ache beginning, somewhere deep in his chest.
“We have made some progress there, my friend,” he said, bending to detach Percy’s inquisitive teeth from his boot. “Though what we are progressing towards…. Well.” He looked up at the sky, where very few stars were visible through the overhanging clouds. “Perhaps it’s best not to ask too many questions.”
12
The following morning brought clear skies, colour in Ursula’s cheeks, and a carriage filled with three welcome visitors: Isobel, Anthea, and George.
Selina was more relieved than she cared to admit to see Isobel descend from the carriage armed with a stack of Aunt Ursula’s favourite books and a bottle of sherry that she must have clutched in her lap all the way from London. Isobel’s patience and gentleness made her the ideal companion for their crotchety old aunt, and she knew how to soothe Ursula’s discomforts as no one else could.
“Poor Selina,” she said, rising up on tiptoe to kiss Selina fondly. “What a fright you must have had!”
“There is no serious harm done, thank goodness,” said Selina. “I am almost sorry I sent for you. Aunt Ursula is much better this morning.”
Isobel pressed her lips together to hide a smile. “I would not dream of leaving you to sit with our dear aunt while she lies in bed all day. You would surely drive each other to distraction. Oh!” This exclamation as Malcolm stepped forward and bowed in greeting. “Your Grace. I did not expect to see you here.”
“The dear duke has been so helpful to us poor ladies in our hour of need!” effused Lady Aldershot. “I am almost grateful to the potholes in the London road that ruined his carriage yesterday!” She turned to George and Anthea, who had descended the carriage behind Isobel. “Lord and Lady Streatham! What a pleasure to see you both. My dear friend Ursula is so fortunate to have such a loving family.”
George gave a smile some might have called rueful. “There’s nobody better than the Balfour sisters to call on in a crisis, my lady.” His eyes lingered a little too long on Malcolm. “Good morning, Caversham.”
Malcolm extended his hand, and after an almost imperceptible pause, George shook it. “Good morning, Streatham. I trust your journey was not too tiresome.”
“We managed to avoid all those potholes,” George answered drily, with such a light of impudence in his eyes that Selina began to think she had imagined his hesitation.
“Ladies, let me take you upstairs to see your aunt at once,” said Lady Aldershot, ushering Isobel and Anthea into the house. “I am sure you will raise her spirits.”
As Selina made to follow them, a light cough drew her attention back to George. He took her hand and tucked it into his arm companionably. “May I have a moment, dear sister? Perhaps you can show me around Lady Aldershot’s grounds. I have a great desire to stretch my legs after that long journey.”
It was an invitation that clearly excluded Malcolm. Selina glanced at the duke, half-afraid he would take offence, but his charming smile was firmly fixed in place. He bowed again to George. “Do excuse me, Streatham. I ought to go and see what progress Lady Aldershot’s men have made with my wounded phaeton.” His eyes cut to Selina. “I hope we can take that drive we spoke of before I return to London, my lady.”
Selina inclined her head, polite but nothing more. She did not think Malcolm would be wounded by her show of indifference. He had battled on against worse, after all. Besides, it could come as no surprise to him that she did not want to publicly acknowledge the intimacy they had shared the night before. Not yet, at least.
As it happened, that choice was taken away from her. The moment George led Selina out of earshot of the footmen unloading his carriage, he turned to her with serious eyes and said, “I will not hesitate to call Caversham out if he has crossed the line, Selina. You need only say the word.”
Selina could not help but laugh. “Really, George! There is such a thing as being too dashing, you know. Anthea would not approve of your threatening to duel every man who invites me out for a drive.” Seeing that he was not placated, she patted his arm and continued. “The duke was being polite, that’s all. We found ourselves unexpectedly stuck in Lady Aldershot’s quiet country house, and he suggested it to divert me from my worries about Aunt Ursula.”
“Politeness is not what induced him to show you the secret passageway at the Whitby house,” said George.
Selina’s smile fled her face in an instant. “How do you know…?”
“I have a habit of noticing small details. On that evening, it was the silver trim on the hem of your gown. Caversham was canny enough to hide your face, but that was not enough to deceive me.” George shook his head, the corner of his mouth lifting into a grin. “Believe me, I understand the allure of a clandestine encounter. But it does not sit right with me that Caversham is taking such liberties with you.” He pressed her hand. “There is a fine line between harmless fun and real danger, and Caversham has never been noted for his delicacy.”
“I do not think you give him enough credit, George.”
He raised an eyebrow. “If he is courting you, and you wish to be courted, I will say no more about it. You are far wiser than me, I know, and you know how best to protect yourself. But I hope you are not blind to the man Caversham is. He may be paying you compliments to your face, but he is paying men off left, right, and centre to buy that Twynham election behind your back.”
“Ah! Dear George, you are quite mistaken.” Selina was relieved. If
