“Is it so inconceivable I would be touched by her plight? Besides, you assisted as well.” She crossed her arms over her chest, wondering at the sudden antagonism that rose within her. Because he, like so many men, could afford not to care about the reams of women and children left to support themselves in a friendless world?
“The Benevolence Hospital,” she said, pointing to the building behind her, “specializes in assisting women and children in distressed circumstances. Unless I am in error, any woman you make your acquaintance would do well to know about this place. They would take in even a duke’s daughter if she asked.”
His face turned to granite as he opened the coach door. “If you will allow me to see you home, Miss Wardley-Hines, I should like to take you into my confidence about something.”
Ask her, she assumed, how to make arrangements for said duke’s daughter.
Henrietta’s heart sank as she realized she could not leave him here. Seeing she had brought him to Knightsbridge, it would be rude not to offer him transport. At least she was well accompanied. James and the coachman were there with their twitching ears, the two footmen still behind.
Still, the open hood of the landau would expose them to every curious onlooker. They would be seen and remarked upon, even if his intentions toward her were not untoward.
She had oft been warned her meddling would lead her into trouble, but curiosity was her fatal flaw. Henrietta very much wanted to know what would happen to Lady Celeste.
And, the more dangerous confession—she did not wish to be free of Lord Daring. Not just yet.
Though she was perfectly capable of hauling herself into her father’s carriage, she gave him her hand as she ascended the steps. His fingers clasped hers, strong and warm. Then his lithe form dropped into the seat beside her, his thigh brushing hers, and a slow flush crawled through Henrietta’s belly.
What a flat-out bouncer she was telling herself, thinking she was impervious. She was far from immune to him.
Lord Daring did not ruin young women against their will. They came to him willingly, in droves.
And no doubt enjoyed their debauching whole-heartedly. Every single time.
CHAPTER EIGHT
He had her alone, at last, but he could see she was reserved and wary. As well she should be. It was another mark of her insight.
“Lady Mama was very interested to hear that I conversed with you last night at Ellesmere House,” Henrietta remarked as John Coachman clicked to the horses and the Hines carriage rolled into the street.
Darien drew a blank for a moment. “Lady Clarinda, your stepmother? Daughter to the Earl of Warrefield?”
“Yes, my father reached very high for his second marriage,” she answered calmly. “Some say he went too far above himself, in fact.”
“Are the two of you on good terms?” To Darien’s knowledge, the marquess had never thought to remarry after his wife died. No one could replace Princess Pip.
“She is the most darling creature,” Henrietta said. “Quite tender-hearted, a touch helpless, and a wonderful mother. Sir Jasper and I dote upon her.”
She said this without a trace of guile. Darien had thought that, behind her indolence and plump beauty, Lady Clarinda wasrather shrewd. But perhaps she was one of those women who were shrewd only about, and around, men.
“I beg your pardon.” Henrietta looked around. “Did you tell my coachman to drive us through Hyde Park?”
“You need something to lift your spirits,” Darien said. “You’ve a very sad droop to your mouth.”
It was a mistake to look at her mouth. She tried setting it in a prim line, which did nothing to detract from its distinct shape, the marked bow-like curve to her upper lip and the full curve of the bottom. He’d made a study of that lovely mouth all morning, watching it tremble when she was set upon by the women at the workhouse, turn firm as she spoke with the girl and her baby, then bare her teeth at the master as she argued for the girl’s release.
“Lord Darien, I do not wish to appear rude, but I am sure you are aware of the speculation that will attach to your being seen with me. I assume that is why you abandoned me in the Chapel Royal.”
Their first interlude together. Darien thought fondly on it. Not knowing who he was, she had dealt with him innocently, forthrightly, with clear interest in her eyes. It was a mistake also to look at her eyes. Her lashes were a coffee color, several shades darker than her hair, and they were heavy and thick. Her eyes were large for her face and wide set, greenish-gold in the outdoor light.
So she had lovely eyes as well. It was not to the point. Darien moved his gaze away from her searching, straightforward one. It would not do to play his hand too soon, but neither could he afford to woo her at his leisure. The marquess was not a patient man, and whatever he had said about waiting out the Season, Darien had no doubt he was already visiting friends, testing the waters for support for his case.
“Your dwarf was bragging about the matched set your father bought you, and I wanted to see how they go. Do you fear for your reputation?”
“His name is James,” Henrietta said. “I should think you, as the son of a marquess, have an entire stable full of prime goers. And I am not interested in marriage, even if I were marriageable. My father’s money is tied up in investments, the jointure for Lady Mama, and settlements for the girls, leaving my portion rather small.”
Now, who had put it into her head that a man would want her only for her father’s money? How could she think that, with those eyes and that mouth?
He suspected her new acquaintances underestimated Henrietta Wardley-Hines. He would take care not to fall into the same error.
