She’d strut about on his arm at decadent soirees, where the rogues of High Society brought their own mistresses. All the while, back at Barrett, he’d be married to Penny and working hard to plant a babe in her womb and get his nursery started.
She absolutely could not live like that.
“I couldn’t abide a tepid relationship,” she said. “It’s not enough for me, so we need to leave Roland. We’ll go in the morning. Yes?”
“No. The party is scheduled to continue for another week, and I intend to revel until it’s over.”
“We can’t stay here.”
“Maybe you can’t, but I certainly can. Head to London if you’re so anxious. I’ll join you there later. If you decide to vanish, write me a note so I have some idea of where you are. I’ll chase after you once I’m done.”
Libby blew out a heavy breath. “There’s a secret I must tell you about Lord Roland. It’s important.”
“There’s no secret you could share that would change my mind about tarrying, and I wish you could be glad for me. My romance will be over soon.”
“We shouldn’t have come to Roland.”
“Speak for yourself. I’m tickled silly to have arrived.”
Suddenly, a knock sounded on the door. She and Fish jumped as if they’d been caught engaging in illicit behavior.
“Who is it?” Libby called.
“Libby?” Simon jangled the knob. “For pity’s sake, why is your door locked? Let me in.”
Libby went over and spun the key, and he strutted in as if he owned the place. He was naturally flamboyant, plus he had a flair for fashionable clothes—inherited from Harry—and with wardrobe guidance from Fish, he always looked amazing. But Libby thought, on this occasion, he appeared particularly dazzling, as if he was walking on air.
“Why are you two hiding up here?” he asked.
“Libby is upset,” Fish said, “and she had to discuss it with me. We’re finished though.”
He frowned at Libby. “Who upset you? It better not have been that roué, Lord Barrett. If he was awful to you, I’ll pound him into the ground. Should I?”
“I don’t need you to pound on Lord Barrett.”
Fish chuckled with amusement. “Definitely not—since she’s in love with him. If you rearranged his pretty face, she’d be devastated.”
“What are you talking about?” Simon asked. “Libby is not in love with that wastrel. She’s too smart for that.”
“She spent the night in bed with him at Barrett,” Fish announced.
“Fish!” Libby scolded as Simon said, “Really? How wildly marvelous!”
“How is it marvelous?” Libby inquired, not liking his cunning expression.
“If he’s sweet on you, he’ll delay his betrothal to Lady Penny, and I’d like it to be postponed.”
“Why?”
“Because I have a few plans of my own for dear Lady Penny.”
“What plans?” Libby demanded, her alarm rising.
“She doesn’t want to wed him. He’s old and stuffy and too much like her father. In fact, at the moment, she and Lord Barrett are fighting.”
“Why?” Libby said again.
“Because he doesn’t dote on her. Because he doesn’t treat her as if she’s special. Because he will never love her.” He grinned a dangerous grin. “It didn’t take much convincing. They’re a horrible mismatch.”
“Meaning what?”
“Meaning she’s decided she might not be cut out for a cold, impersonal aristocratic marriage. It’s dawned on her that she deserves a husband who is young, dashing, and fun.” He snorted with delight. “I’m available.”
Libby’s heart literally skipped a beat. “You’re running a scheme on her?”
He shrugged. “I wouldn’t refer to it as a scheme. We’ve been flirting, and she’s becoming besotted. With a tad more effort, I’ll be able to persuade her to do whatever I suggest.”
“To what end?” Libby said. “Are you thinking you could get her to marry you?”
“Maybe.”
Fish chimed in with, “Her father might have quite a vehement opinion about that.”
Simon scoffed. “It’s not as if we’d ask him.”
Libby gaped at him, wondering if he’d actually elope with the wealthy heiress. Could he really be that brazen? That reckless?
It was exactly the sort of thing Harry would have attempted, but how could Simon assume he’d succeed? How could he suppose there would be no consequences?
The nobility was a tight-knit bunch. They didn’t take kindly to interlopers absconding with their daughters. There were laws to prevent such mischief. It was called kidnapping, and a titled lord like Charles Pendleton had enormous power. He could have vicious punishments inflicted on Simon, and Libby couldn’t bear to envision what some of them might be.
“No, no, no,” she murmured, vigorously shaking her head. “You are not eloping with Penny Pendleton. I forbid it.”
Simon retorted as Fish had earlier, “It’s not any of your business, is it?”
“I’m making it my business.”
He laughed. “If Lady Penny throws her life and her dowry in my direction, why would you care? It doesn’t have an effect on you one way or the other—except that I’ll be rich and have the money to support you. You’ll never have to worry or struggle again. I’ll support Fish too. From this point on, you’ll both be safe. I’ll see to it.”
“You’re mad,” Fish said to him.
“I agree with Fish,” Libby said, “and we never should have come to Roland. We’re leaving in the morning, and I won’t argue about it.”
Fish sighed with exasperation. “I already told you I’m not going.”
Simon swiftly sided with Fish. “Don’t be ridiculous. Of course we’re not leaving. Not when everything is just falling into place.”
“You two listen to me,” Libby said. “I can’t have you imposing yourselves on Lord Roland or Lady Penny. I can’t, and here’s why!”
She’d thought she could blurt it out. Months had passed since she’d stumbled on the box of Harry’s old letters, and from the minute she’d read through them, she’d been biting her tongue.
Her tale was fantastical, like a plot in a novel, and she’d been so afraid that she wouldn’t be believed or, even worse, that she’d divulge the information and it wouldn’t change anything.
“Why are you in such a dither?” Fish nagged. “I’m not interested in departing Roland, so if you have some
