"Arabella?"
She turned back despite herself, hope flaring briefly in her chest at the raw need in his voice.
"The rules we have established," he said carefully, "they are for your protection as much as mine. Do not mistake them for indifference."
Then, before she could ask what he meant, he had turned back to his correspondence, effectively dismissing her with the cold efficiency that marked all his business dealings.
As Arabella made her way back through the elegant corridors toward the blue suite, she reflected bitterly on the irony of her situation. She had entered Devon's employment to escape the consequences of one scandal, only to find herself teetering on the brink of a far more devastating downfall.
For she was beginning to suspect that her feelings for the Duke of Ravenshollow had progressed far beyond mere physical attraction into territory that was infinitely more dangerous to her peace of mind.
And judging by the pain she had glimpsed in his dark eyes; she was not the only one struggling with emotions that threatened to destroy them both.
Chapter 7
"Miss Greystone, how delightful to see you in society once more, though in such... altered circumstances."
Lady Huxley's voice dripped with false sweetness as she approached Arabella at Lady Worthington's elegant soirée, her sharp eyes gleaming with the malicious pleasure of a cat who had cornered a particularly interesting mouse. Behind her trailed her daughter Cecilia, whose pretty face bore an expression of barely concealed glee at witnessing the downfall of a former rival.
Arabella maintained her composure with effort, drawing upon every lesson in deportment she had ever received as she faced the woman whose gossip had been instrumental in her social destruction.
"Lady Huxley, Miss Huxley," she replied with perfect courtesy, executing a graceful curtsy that acknowledged their higher rank whilst maintaining her own dignity. "How kind of you to acknowledge me."
"But of course, my dear," Lady Huxley continued with that same poisonous sweetness. "Though I confess myself surprised to see you attending such gatherings. I had understood that you had withdrawn from society following that unfortunate incident at Lord Godric's."
The deliberate reference to her scandalous encounter with Devon made Arabella's cheeks burn with rememberedhumiliation, yet she refused to allow the older woman to see how deeply the barb had struck.
"I attend tonight as companion to Lady Livia Ashworth," she said evenly. "His Grace was kind enough to offer me employment when my circumstances changed."
"How very charitable of him," Lady Huxley observed with a smile that never reached her cold eyes. "Though I suppose it is only fitting that he should provide some recompense for the damage done to your reputation. After all, it was his own behaviour that necessitated your current arrangement."
Before Arabella could formulate a response to this deliberate provocation, a familiar voice cut through the charged atmosphere with silky authority.
"Lady Huxley. Miss Huxley. How unexpected to find you monopolizing Miss Greystone's attention when I am certain there are many other guests eager for your enlightening conversation."
Devon appeared at Arabella's side with that predatory grace she had come to know so well, his evening attire immaculate and his dark eyes holding a dangerous glitter that made Lady Huxley take an involuntary step backward.
"Your Grace," Lady Huxley simpered, though her confident malice had been replaced by obvious nervousness at his unexpected intervention. "We were merely expressing our pleasure at seeing Miss Greystone in society once more."
"Were you indeed?" Devon's tone was politely skepticalas his gaze moved between the two women with the sort of assessment that made even the most confident society matrons quail. "How remarkably... charitable of you both."
The emphasis he placed upon the word 'charitable' made it clear that he had overheard Lady Huxley's earlier comments, and his displeasure was evident to anyone with the wit to recognize it. Arabella found herself both grateful for his protection and disturbed by the possessive undertone in his voice.
"If you will excuse us," Devon continued smoothly, offering his arm to Arabella with old-fashioned courtesy, "I believe Lady Worthington wishes to be introduced to Miss Greystone. Something about her remarkable success in preparing young ladies for their social debuts."
The blatant fabrication was delivered with such convincing sincerity that even Arabella almost believed it, whilst Lady Huxley's expression grew pinched with frustration at being so neatly outmaneuvered.
"Of course, Your Grace," she managed through gritted teeth. "Perhaps we might continue our conversation later, Miss Greystone. I am most eager to hear about your new position."
As the two women retreated with obvious reluctance, Arabella allowed Devon to guide her through the crowded drawing room toward a quieter corner where they might speak without being overheard.
"That was most kind of you, Your Grace," she said quietly, though her tone carried a note of wariness that had not beenpresent in their interactions before their disastrous encounter in his study. "However, I fear you may have made the situation worse by drawing attention to my... circumstances."
Devon's jaw tightened with barely suppressed anger, though she sensed his displeasure was directed not at her but at the society vultures who had descended upon her with such obvious relish.
"Let them gossip," he said with cold disdain. "Lady Huxley's opinions carry little weight with anyone of true consequence. Her own daughter has been on the marriage mart for three seasons without attracting a single serious suitor which is hardly a recommendation for her wisdom in matters of social standing."
The casual cruelty of his assessment should have shocked Arabella, yet she found herself oddly comforted by his dismissal of her tormentors. After days of his calculated coldness, this glimpse of protective fury on her behalf was both unexpected and deeply affecting.
