“I’m glad Mary is all right too. You both could have been gravely injured. Billie shook her head, and sighed. “You’re being purposely obtuse, but since I don’t wish to argue with you, I’m going to ignore it.”
“So kind of you…” Teddy snorted. “Now go so I can do as you suggest and rest.”
Billie stuck her tongue out at her and then stood. “After you are done resting check on your maid.” With those words she slipped out of the room. Teddy adored her older sister but was glad she’d left her bedchamber. She had a dilemma and had no desire to share it with her sister. Ezra wanted to speak with her, but with the ball that evening, it might prove impossible. She couldn’t meet with him before. There was no time and she probably would have difficulties telling it all to him. What were the chances he’d give her a reprieve? Surely this could all wait a day or two?
Teddy nibbled on her bottom lip as she contemplated what she should do next. If she didn’t contact him in some fashion, he’d come over, and if she didn’t tell him everything, he’d seek out Zachary. She couldn’t allow that. Anything that disrupted the ball would upset Billie.
Perhaps there was an easy solution to her predicament. She could send him a missive. At the very least, it would delay him a little bit. He would demand answers at the ball, but she might be able to stall him until tomorrow.
She stood and went over to her writing desk and pulled out parchment. Teddy dipped her quill into the ink pot and considered what to write, and decided to make it as personal as possible.
Ezra,
Please accept my apologies. I understand you wish to discuss the events that took place yesterday, and it is my intention to explain it all to you; however, circumstances prevent me from doing so today.
In the aftermath, and my shock, after my unexpected dip in the Serpentine, it slipped my mind that today is the ball held here at Graystone House. It would be impossible for me to find time to share everything with you.
I do hope you understand, and grant me a small reprieve. On my honor, I promise to be forthright with you when we are free to speak of this matter.
Regards,
Teddy
She reread the letter to make sure it fit her needs, then folded, it and sealed it with wax. Teddy carried it down to the foyer and located a footman. “Can you deliver this to Lord Carrolton immediately.”
He nodded. “Yes, my lady.” He took the note and left to see to the task. Teddy breathed a sigh of relief, then went back to her chamber to rest. She’d need to be at her best for the ball later that night.
She checked on Mary before returning to her room. Her maid was sleeping soundly. Teddy did feel bad for what happened to her. If not for her accompanying Teddy to the park she’d have been safe. She sighed and then went back to her room to rest in truth.
Ezra stared at the note Teddy had sent him. Did she believe it was that easy? There would be a reckoning… He did understand why it might be impossible for her to meet with him prior to the ball, but he needed that information. Lord Eaton had nearly killed her by pushing her into the Serpentine, and Ezra could not let that evil deed go. His uncle would answer for his sins, and the sooner the better.
There was only one thing Ezra could do. He’d planned on attending the ball, but it had slipped his mind as well. If Teddy hadn’t written to him, he might not have remembered it. He’d sent his acceptance weeks ago when he’d received the invitation. Graystone was one of his closest friends, so Ezra would not snub the duchess by refusing to attend. When he was at the ball, he’d steal Teddy away from it all and have a long overdue conversation with her. Not just about what happened at the Serpentine, but about what was happening between them.
He felt something deep for her. Ezra had not believed he could ever care for a woman the way he did her, and in some ways, that terrified him. He would not run from his feelings though. The only way to handle them was to own them, and he fully intended to.
“Knock, knock,” Fox said from the entrance to Ezra’s study. “I’m here; what do you need?”
Ezra frowned. He’d forgotten he’d sent a note to Fox and the Earl of Sheffield. He sighed. “I’m not certain yet.” He didn’t have all the information, so he couldn’t give Fox any specifics.
Fox lifted a brow. “Is that so?” He moved into the room. “Tell me what’s going on, and maybe I can determine what you need.”
He hesitated telling Fox everything. What if Fox brushed his concerns aside as nothing? “There was an incident yesterday with my uncle.”
“The rotten bastard your mother chose to live with instead of raising you and your sister?” Fox’s tone was menacing as he spoke his next words, “What did he do now?”
This was the difficult part. Once he explained to Fox that he’d jumped into the Serpentine to save Teddy, he’d react badly. His friend thought that women of quality were sent by the devil to destroy a man’s freedom. “He pushed Graystone’s wife’s sister into the Serpentine.”
Fox frowned. “I have questions.”
“I expected you would,” Ezra said, resolved to his friend’s interrogation.
“One, why the bloody hell would your uncle do that?”
“That part is what I have yet to determine.” He really needed to have that conversation with Teddy.” “I didn’t stop to question him. The lady needed saving, so
