Squeezing her hand, Clara murmured. “I am sorry. It should not be that way. Your brother’s actions are his own. But that is the way of the Beau Monde, I think.”
Beth gave her a quick hug. “If only they were all as enlightened as you.”
Clara stood. “Well, as your new sister-in-law told me on Monday, ‘If wishes were horses, maids would ride.’”
Beth clamped her hand over her mouth to stifle a laugh, her eyes gleaming. “That does sound like our Rose.”
Clara slipped her hand around Beth’s arm. “Come, let us scandalous women find our way to my mother, whom I am sure is already in a state of mortification.”
But as Beth opened the door and they stepped out into the hall, they found the Marquess of Aldermaston and Lord Michael Ashton waiting for them just outside. Beth and Clara jerked to a halt, staring as the two men bowed.
“Ladies,” Aldermaston said.
Beth looked from one to the other. “Why are the two of you lurking in this hallway?”
Michael gave a light snort. “We are most definitely not lurking. We have been busy, and we are now waiting”—he gestured to the two of them—“for you.”
“The question remains as to why,” Beth said. Her gaze lingered on Aldermaston, and Clara felt her heart break a little for her friend. The marquess looked staid and kind, but no affection shone in his face.
Aldermaston focused on Clara. “At Lord Michael’s suggestion, I have arranged for your mother and your carriage to meet you at the side entrance.” He pointed down the hallway—away from the ballroom. “We will both escort you there, so that any untoward comments will be squelched before they can appear.”
Clara’s eyes snapped to Lord Michael. “You suggested it?”
His deep brown eyes lit with amusement as he reached for her hand, their brightness glowing against his dark skin. “I have been known to have a creative idea on occasion.”
Beth pushed his hand down and Aldermaston cleared his throat. “Settle down, Ashton. No need to curry any more scandal tonight.”
Michael stepped away, but his gaze never left Clara’s face. She stared back at him, unable to look away from the warmth there. Her stomach clenched, and she realized her breath had drawn up short.
The marquess went on. “Oh, and Hadleyton and his party have been asked to leave. The duchess saw all that happened and was wholly appalled. She sends her apologies to you. Anyone who lays blame on you for this evening’s ruction will find themselves responding to her.”
Clara finally forced her gaze from Michael to the marquess. “I thank you, my lord.”
Aldermaston stepped back and held out his arm toward the end of the hall. “This way.”
Michael immediately stepped into the gap and offered his arm to Clara. “My lady?”
Clara glanced at Beth, who gave a slight shrug. “He’s mostly harmless in public.” Her eyes bright with glee, she lifted a corner of her upper lip as she said to Michael, “Do not make me a liar.”
His eyebrows arched. “I would not dare, sister mine. The consequences are unthinkable.”
Aldermaston cleared his throat, leaning a bit closer to Clara. “Before you ask, yes, they are always like this.”
“Then I would consider them most fortunate, my lord. My siblings would not find humor in any of this.”
“Indeed. A fortunate family indeed.” He held out his arm to Beth, who took it more gingerly than Clara expected, and Clara knew her friend’s suspicions were well-founded.
Clara reached for Michael’s elbow, and his other hand closed over hers. His arms felt strong, the muscles pulling a little snug on the fabric of his coat, and even through his glove his hand was warm and firm, as if he were afraid she would pull away. He stood almost a foot taller than she did, and he bent slightly as he whispered. “I only wanted to help.”
“And you have.” She peered up at him as they walked toward a door at the end of the hall. “Is it true, what I’ve heard the servants saying? That you have been asking questions about me?”
The skin over his cheekbones darkened. “Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I find you a remarkable and intriguing woman.”
“Because I lost a kitten and fell into your mud?”
