“Such a fairytale creature does not exist.” He stopped, suddenly arrested. “Unless you happen to be a fabulously wealthy heiress?”
Disappointment gripped her, but she forced a laugh. “All the world knows that I am quite an eligible catch, despite my three and twenty years, my lord. I have a good family name and two thousand pounds set aside by my father for a respectable dowry.”
He sighed in obvious disappointment. “Only two thousand? I need a good deal more to repair the damage my mother has wreaked in her years of stewardship.” He grinned at her. “Couldn’t you wangle more out of your brother?”
“Ha!” she scoffed. “Catherine has tight hold of those purse strings. And I’ve no more wish to be married for money than you do to be dismissed for lack of it.”
“I can’t blame you.” He sighed. “But neither can I help but be disappointed.” He smiled, but the heat in his gaze awoke a similar, slow burn in her belly. “I do think we’d get on well together,” he said, his tone lower.
She shivered. “I believe there is hope for you yet.” Chin raised, she looked him up and down. “Moreover, I am going to help you find the lady you seek.”
Now he looked interested in a different way.
“Yes,” she continued. The idea was firming, growing. “You did me a good turn, my lord. And I am going to return the favor, as you put it.” She put a finger to her chin. “But how to go about it? It cannot be in the usual fashion, an introduction at a ball or Society event. How to show you a young lady’s truly valuable qualities?” She narrowed her gaze, thinking.
“A scheme,” he said admiringly. “You’re getting one up, aren’t you? I can see the wheels turning.” He tilted his head. “I’ll go along with yours if you go along with mine.”
“Yours?”
“To unmask Lady X. Have you forgotten already?”
“Oh.” Her heart fell. “I don’t know. I don’t think it is a good idea. People could be hurt. You could be one of them.”
“Fine, then. I won’t ask you to assist in the actual sleuthing. But I may request that you invite me along to a Society event or two that I might not be invited to, on my own.”
She considered. “Very well.” She extended her hand. “Shall we shake hands to mark the deal?”
He took her hand and bowing low instead, kissed it.
It was a very correct kiss, if unexpected. In front of witnesses. On the back of her gloved hand. Of short duration with no excessive lingering. The sort of kiss one would use to say farewell. Completely unremarkable.
Utterly chaste—and yet not at all. Why else had her heart begun to pound? Her knees to quiver? Why should all the hairs on the back of her neck tingle and stand at attention?
“We have an agreement,” he said, straightening and raising a brow. “And you may begin by inviting me to escort you to the Westmores’ ball tomorrow evening.”
“May I ask why?”
“Because her third daughter had a much-whispered about interlude with her brother’s French tutor—and Lady X virtually ignored it. I wish to know why. It might lead me to her.”
“Oh.” She thought a moment. “The Westmores? The house is in Bedford Square is it not?”
“I believe so. Does it matter?”
“It does.” She smiled up at him. “Yes. I believe I can make that work.”
“Good. Tomorrow, then.” He bowed again over her hand—but did not kiss it.
A good thing, she thought, pushing her disappointment away. She wasn’t sure her trembling knees could have withstood it.
Chapter 4
Chapter Four
Society is thinner right now, with so many gone to enjoy the festivities of the Hadleigh fair . . .
--Whispers from Lady X
A novel sensation, actually looking forward to a night at a ton event. But Tensford couldn’t deny his eagerness as he followed the Earl of Kincade’s servant to a formal parlor just off the entry hall.
“I will inform Lady Hope of your arrival,” the footman said with a bow. He left the parlor door open as he left.
Coming from a family heavy with females, Tensford was more than passing familiar with the sounds of a household readying its women to go out. Doors opened and shut above, feet scurried up stairs and down passages. Whispers and hurried orders drifted downward—and so did one exchange clearly not meant for him.
“This is the outside of enough!” It sounded like the countess—and her hiss echoed in the two-story hall. “First you insult poor Bardham, and now you entertain the pretensions of such a man! One whose horrid nicknames live in the scandal sheets!”
“Lord Bardham has a nickname, too, did you know?” Lady Hope answered calmly. “Boredom, that’s was what he was called at school, I have learned.” Her tone firmed. “He would be known by quite a different designation, however, if it was more widely known how he treats young ladies. Lord Tensford, on the other hand, has treated me with respect and kindness.”
“And why do you think? It’s well known that he hasn’t two shillings to rub together.”
“And once again, Lord Tensford comes out ahead, Catherine. For while everyone whispers that he has no money, I’ve never heard a hint that he owes a sum to any man. Now move aside, please. The earl is
