Moira could well understand why Pippawould feel that way, but Pippa’s circumstances were different.Nobody wanted to put arsenic in her hair. “It wouldn’t matter. Allthe gentlemen in Town are talking about it. Eventually my motherwill learn, and I don’t want her to know all of my plans due tothis foolish wager.”
“Moira,” Patience mutteredunder her breath. “I have a feeling your mother has just learned ofthe bet.”
But she couldn’t have. Moira turnedaround to find her mother bearing down on her, lips thinned in atense line. “Moira Rose Kirkwood, you are going home with me rightnow,” she hissed. “Do not even think of making a scene.”
With their arms linked, her motherescorted Moira out of the ballroom, not once relaxing her smile orletting on to anyone how displeased she was, but Moira knewdifferently. Tension oozed from the woman.
They waited for thecarriage in silence, and once they were seated inside and underway, her mother let loose. “You’re practically ruined. It is onlythe second day. The second dayof the Season and you are practically ruinedalready.”
“I didn’t do anythingwrong.”
“When will you learn tocurb your tongue, young lady? You should feel very fortunateif any decentgentleman still wishes to court you after this disastrousbeginning.”
Gideon stood at the entrance of thesupper room and searched the crowd. There were half a dozenredheads but none of them with gold mixed within. Had Lady Moiraleft? Two older ladies stopped before him, tittering back and forthover some recent scandal. Gideon just wished they would move on.The ostrich plumes were blocking his view. Why did women wear suchridiculous hats?
“I thought the DowagerCountess Hearne was about to have an apoplexy when I told her. Herface went deathly white.”
Hearne?
The woman with the turquoise plumeturned, smacking Gideon in the face with her feather. “Then whathappened?”
“I have to give hercredit. She remained calm and marched directly to Lady Moira andtook her from the room.”
“Do you think they’llleave Town?”
Gideon had half a mind to yank thefeather from her hat if it brushed near his eye one more time. Thewomen and their blasted feathers kept stepping back, forcing him tomove, not the other way around. Instead, he turned and left theball. If he was not going to dance with Lady Moira, there was nolonger a purpose for remaining, as he’d already fulfilled his otherdance obligations.
Outside, he took a deep breath. Wouldher mother take her to the country? Some families did when theirdaughters had been ruined. Yet, was Lady Moira truly ruined? Shehadn’t actually done anything scandalous. Lady Moira had onlyuttered a few ill-chosen words and captured the attention of everymember of White’s.
He glanced in one direction and thenanother. There were other balls, and if he were serious aboutfinding a wife, he should be making an appearance somewhere else.Yet he wasn’t in the mood. It wasn’t as though there wouldn’t bedozens more balls before the Season ended and he certainly wasn’tgoing to go back inside the Davenports’. He’d experienced more malecompanionship during the height of shopping on BondStreet.
Gideon took the watch from his pocketand checked the time beneath the street lamp. Midnight. Not exactlyearly, but not late enough to return home. He was far too restlessto sleep. Where would everyone else be if not at a ball? White’s,of course.
“I don’t know why theyleft, and so suddenly,” a young woman said with concern.
Gideon turned as voices drew near.Lady Moira’s older brother and his lovely wife were walking towardhim.
“It doesn’t matter. I amglad to be free of that place,” Hearne grumbled and signaled forhis carriage.
“Ainsely,” Hearneacknowledged.
“Hearne.” There wasn’tmuch more to say.
“Do you happen to knowwhere Lady Moira and her mother went off to?” Lady Hearnequestioned him.
“We don’t need to worry.Just be glad we can go home,” Hearne insisted.
They didn’t know. Should he tell them?Obviously Hearne new about the bet, but what of his wife? He caughtand held Hearne’s eyes for a moment.
“What do you know?” Hearnepractically groaned.
“Perhaps it is betterdiscussed away from your wife.”
The woman’s eyes grew wide and shelooked at Hearne. “Your mother learned about the bet.” It was moreof a statement than a question.
Apparently, Hearne didn’t bother toshield his wife from gossip or betting books.
“I am afraid so. Ioverheard two ladies speaking.”
“We should go to yoursister,” the countess urged.
“Moira can weather thisstorm without me. I will call on them first thing in themorning.”
Lady Hearne bit her bottomlip.
“Trust me. Moira is madeof sterner stuff than the two of us put together.”
Hearne focused on Gideon. “Thank youfor telling us.”
Gideon simply inclined his head. Eventhough Hearne wasn’t rushing to his sister’s side, he did admirethe man’s concern.
“Where are you off to?Could we offer you a lift?”
“White’s, and my carriageshould be here in a moment.”
Lady Hearne placed a hand on herhusband’s arm. “Perhaps you should go with him.”
“Why? I want to go home.”Hearne’s eyes bored into hers.
Gideon could even see herblush in the pale light, so he averted his eyes.If I had a wife I would be at home, in bed andnot standing on some street.
“What if...” She bit herlip.
“If Moira is the subjectof another bet?” Hearn finished her sentence.
The countess cringed. “She did rejectLord Lydell tonight.”
“Bloody hell,” Hearnemuttered.
“I’m headed there anyway.You go home,” Gideon found himself offering. “If another betappears, I’ll come by in the morning.”
“Thank you.” Hearneclapped Gideon on the shoulder as two carriages pulled up to thecurb.
“But, Nyle, what if...”the countess protested.
“There isn’t anything Ican do about it tonight.”
“What were youthinking?”
Her mother had been ranting ever sincethey stepped through the door. All Moira wanted to do was changeinto her night clothing and crawl into bed. No real harm had beendone. It was a stupid bet, which she had dealt with rather well,and it would soon be forgotten. Then she could find herScot.
“What was I thinking tosend you to that Broadmoor Academy?” Her mother practically gulpedfrom her glass of wine. “The four of you were inseparable in yourstudies and inmischief. It appears now you will all face ruinationtogether.”
“Really, Mother, you makeit sound as if—”
Mother wheeled around,shaking her finger at Moira. “Do not interrupt me. You have no ideathe embarrassment I faced tonight
