“But I see that Lady Eloise is not among her friends tonight.”
Robert faced his sister, his eyes narrowing in suspicion. “Lady Eloise.”
Beth’s grin was both mischievous and cunning. “She is normally Lady Lydia’s chaperone.”
“A fact of which I am well aware. Did Rose talk to you?”
Beth’s mouth turned down in mock disappointment. “Not at all. Our new sister has been quite tight-lipped about the whole thing. But did you know that my lady’s maid is a first cousin to Lady Eloise’s maid?”
Robert quelled the urge to hit something. He had used an entire network of servants, not to mention the ones Rose called on for information, to his own benefit for many years. He knew exactly how efficiently—and quickly—details moved between the great houses of Mayfair. He growled instead, which brightened Beth’s face immensely.
“Ah. I see there is truth in the rumor. I also heard she paid a visit to her modiste this afternoon, so I thought she might be picking up a gown for tonight. But I suppose not.”
“Madame Adrienne is her friend.”
Beth paused at that, her expression turning placid. “Hm.”
“What hm?”
Beth remained silent a moment, then a smile slowly spread across her face. “I see Ludlow.”
Robert followed her affectionate gaze toward a ginger-haired man with a narrow waist and a long stride. “Your beloved’s first name is Ludlow.”
Her eyes did not waver from the marquess as she replied. “You promised to behave.”
“I did no such thing. Ludlow.”
“That would be Aldermaston to the heathens among us.”
“I stand apprised.”
The young man reached their position within seconds, his brown eyes never leaving Beth as he crossed the room. Aldermaston stood tall among his peers, although several inches shorter than Robert. His eveningwear was distinguished and fashionable without being gaudy, with a burgundy topcoat and breeches accented by an indigo waistcoat, gold buttons, and black boots shined to perfection. His white shirt and cravat were starched and pristine. His ginger hair had been curled and puffed, and when he bent to lift Beth’s hand to his lips, it moved not one iota.
“My dear, what a pleasure it is that you are finally here.”
It’s barely nine.Robert shoved aside a protective twinge. “Aldermaston.”
The man looked up at him, almost as if he had just noticed Robert standing there. “Ashton. I’m grateful you have been able to accompany Lady Elizabeth this evening.”
Robert opened his mouth, but Beth pinched the inside of his arm.
“It is good to see you this evening, my lord,” she said to Aldermaston, casting Robert a glance of warning and fury.
Robert stepped away from Beth as Aldermaston folded her hand in both of his, but he cleared his throat. “It is, of course, an honor to make sure my sister arrives safely and makes her way home in a similar manner.”
Aldermaston still gazed at Beth’s face. “Absolutely. But you can be assured she will not be in any danger as long as she’s here. My dear, may I have this dance?”
Robert held up three fingers.Just three, he mouthed, receiving a scowl in return.
Beth lifted her dance card to her suitor. “It would be my pleasure, my lord. Of course, we must stay within precise protocols—”
“Of course!”
“But I see no issue with a pleasant cotillion.”
“None.” Aldermaston palmed her dance card, scribbled his name on three lines, then led her toward the dance floor, leaving Robert to sigh in relief. Playing chaperone was not a role he was well suited for.
Eloise should be here.
