He whipped a card out of his coat and offered it to Charles, but Charles glared at it as if it were a venomous snake. Periwinkle dropped it, and it fluttered to the dirt. Then he jumped on his horse and galloped away.
They didn’t stop him, although it had been very tempting to have Luke administer the thrashing he’d been eager to supply.
“What an impudent cretin,” Luke said. “How will you silence him? You can’t permit him to print his lies. Can you imagine the uproar that would ensue? You’d have to hire armed guards to keep the crowds at bay.”
“This is a nightmare!” Charles moaned.
“Shall I chase after him? Shall I beat him bloody? If I knock out some of his teeth, he won’t be quite so keen to torment you.”
Charles tried to picture the repercussions of such a brutal act. Yes, he was an earl and, yes, he was very powerful, but he wasn’t the type to have underlings flogged or beaten. In England, there were laws to prohibit an influential man from inflicting his own brand of punishment.
“I don’t need you to batter him,” Charles said. “I think the better route would be to speak with his boss, so I’ll travel to London immediately. His superiors will be sensible, and I’ll convince them to see reason.”
“And if you can’t?”
“I’ll have my lawyers meet with them. A hefty lawsuit always gets a person’s attention.”
“Would you like me to come with you?”
“No. I can handle one measly reporter on my own.”
“Let me know when you’re back. I’ll be anxious to hear the details, and I’m sorry about all of this. I’m sorry Libby caused this trouble. I’m sorry I’ve upset Penny.”
“Don’t be sorry. None of it is your fault.” Charles forced a smile. “If I was your age, I’d be in love with Libby too. I believe she’s gone to town. Will you follow her?”
“I’m conflicted about my feelings for her. If she’s tricked you about being Henrietta, I have no idea where that will leave me.”
“I can’t figure out where it leaves me either,” Charles sullenly stated.
They chuckled wearily, then Luke mounted and rode off. Charles watched until he was swallowed up by the trees, then he went inside to find the butler and declare that he was off to London as fast as his carriage could convey him there.
“Where have you been?”
Simon pulled up short and grinned at Penny. They were behind the manor, on a gravel path that led from the barns to the house. The afternoon was waning, the sun drooping in the western sky.
From the frantic tone of her query, it was obvious she was growing overly attached, which he was delighted to observe. At least he assumed he was delighted.
He’d commenced his flirtation as a lark, as a jest. She was rich and pretty, and he’d been sure he could persuade her to give him all sorts of things she shouldn’t. But should he proceed?
He genuinely liked her, and for once, he was suffering qualms. He’d had to absent himself for several hours so he could deduce what he’d like to have happen. If he kept walking down the road he was currently walking, he might wind up married to her. He’d dangled the prospect of an elopement, and she’d been amenable. Could he whisk her away from her family?
He couldn’t predict if Lord Roland would cut ties and disinherit her over such a rash deed, but Simon couldn’t envision her living in reduced circumstances. Was he reckless enough to put her in such jeopardy?
Unfortunately, he thought he might be, but she deserved a different conclusion than the one he would provide.
“Did you miss me?” he asked, his grin widening.
“Don’t be pompous,” she said. “My patience for your vain posturing has vanished.”
He laughed. “Well, excuse me then. What’s wrong?”
“A thousand tragedies have cropped up, and I’ve been searching for you so you could help me sift through them.”
“I took a ride. Your father has the most beautiful animals in his stable. I couldn’t resist.”
“I wish you’d told me you were going,” she said. “I’d have gone with you.”
“I figured you’d be too busy with your guests. Perhaps we can try for tomorrow, but can you really suppose your aunt would let you traipse off with me?”
“I can bring my groom or I can have some friends tag along.”
“If we have to bring chaperones, they’ll suck the fun out of it.”
Dare he be alone with her again? They’d already misbehaved in numerous ways that would get him shot by her father if their antics were discovered, and he was wondering if he shouldn’t yank her off the ledge where she was perched with him. Should he save her from herself?
He couldn’t decide, and the fact that he was questioning his motives was so out of character that he was worried he might be ill.
“Libby headed back to London,” she said without preamble. “Miss Fishburn went with her.”
“What? Why?”
“My father kicked her out. He didn’t like how Lord Barrett was mooning over her. He claimed it was distracting Luke from proposing to me.”
“It probably was. I’ve explained how besotted he is.”
“But also, we’ve learned a shocking secret about Libby, and it will create a huge scandal, which my father hates. He was livid about it, so he sent her away.”
Simon was certain as to what the topic would be, and he debated his reply. Libby had ordered him to remain silent about her sudden insistence that she was Henrietta. Initially, he’d accused her of plotting a swindle, but Libby wouldn’t engage in duplicitous conduct. Simon would, but not Libby.
If she had documents to prove she was Lord Roland’s daughter, then she likely was, but what should his comments about it be to Penny?
“What was the secret?” he tentatively asked.
“Don’t pretend to be confused. She’s my lost sister.” When he didn’t confirm the news, she said, “You can admit it. I was convinced the minute she told me.”
“I didn’t realize she planned to
