Keeping her eye on Lord Stanstead, she skirted groups of ladies and gentlemen until she reached the end of the ballroom. Although he appeared to be in no hurry, stopping and exchanging greetings with his friends, he definitely seemed to be focused on the terrace. She must get there before anyone else met him, or her entire life would be ruined.
Lord Stanstead finally reached the French doors and ambled through them. Now was her chance. Keeping her pace slower than she wanted to, Cressida strolled onto the terrace, but he wasn’t there. A sound drew her gaze to the garden, and she quickened her steps. Just as she was about to descend the stairs, an arm came around her waist, pulling her back.
It had better not be Hector.“Let me go. What do you think you’re doing?”
“Stopping you from making the biggest mistake of your life,” a man whose voice she didn’t recognize said.
Whirling around, she was surprised to be facing nothing but a waistcoat and the ends of a neckcloth. She raised her gaze from the gold thread in his waistcoat to the snowy cravat, to a deeply tanned and incredibly stern face. “Who are you, and what right do you have to interfere with me?”
Without a by-your-leave, he turned her around and pointed. In the garden, Lord Stanstead and Lady Beresford were waltzing. “They are betrothed.”
Cressida could have cried with frustration. “You’ve ruined everything!”
An amused smirk appeared on his face. “I doubt that.”
“There you are.” Hector’s voice caught her attention. What was going on? He glanced at the man holding her. “Oh, I see you found her.”
“Indeed I did.” The gentleman’s tone held no humor at all. “Doing exactly what Miss Woolerton thought she was up to. I am not at all sure this was a good idea after all.”
“An infatuation, nothing more. Probably due to the stress of the Season. She has had her queer starts, but in general she is a level-headed girl. You’ll see.”
Cressida closed her eyes, trying to make sense of their conversation. “Are you referring to me?”
“Forgive me, Cressy. I almost forgot you were there,” Hector said in a voice that told her he was more put out with her than sorry, and had not forgot for a moment she was present. “Allow me to introduce you to Lord Kenington.”
Her stomach sank, and a sick feeling rose into her throat. “The gentleman you met up with who has been traveling with you?”
“The very same.” Hector gave her a warning look. “After I showed him the miniature I carry of you and some of your letters, he decided he would very much like to meet you.”
Oh. Dear. God. This must be the “present” her brother had brought back. The Marquis of Kenington. No wonder Papa had been so set against Lord Stanstead, and Mama had not been concerned when he’d not shown Cressida much attention.
Emily had been right. Cressida should have been more careful. She held out her hand. “A pleasure, my lord.”
He dutifully bowed over her hand. “At long last, Miss Banks.”
As they reentered the ballroom and he glanced down at her, disapproval filled his green eyes. “As your brother mentioned, from his description and your letters, I thought I’d be meeting a woman, not a little girl bent on ruining the lives of others for her own pleasure.”
He’d pitched his voice so low only she could hear him. For that she was thankful. Her cheeks burned with shame. No one had ever spoken to her like that. The problem was, despite being warned, she had been heedless and deserved to have a peal rung over her head. “I’m sorry.”
Hector glanced back. “I know you two will have a great deal to discuss.”
“We will indeed,” Lord Kenington responded.
Cressida wanted to go home and hide in her bed. If she ruined this, her parents and brother would never forgive her. She would accept responsibility for her mistake and go on as if it was in the past. “I look forward to our conversations, my lord.”
He glanced down, one black brow rising slowly. “I doubt that very much.”
Rupert took his parents home before driving to Mount Street with Vivian.
“Will you come in and have a glass of brandy or tea?”
His arm snaked around her waist. “I have something to do, but it won’t take long. Wait for me?”
She cupped his cheek in her palm. “Forever.”
A half hour later, Vivian heard the front door open, and rushed into the hall. “Rupert, Nick is here. He told us what happened.” She took his hands, holding them against her face. “I am so proud of you for not calling that dreadful man out.”
They reached the door to the drawing room, but before she could open it, Rupert was kissing her. “I won’t say I didn’t consider it, but it would have harmed your reputation, and I could not have that.”
