Henry looked up. “Should I wait?”
“Yes,” Marcus said. “Stay with the keys. Play the measure you kept. We will return.”
Henry nodded, already humming.
Mrs. Dove-Lyon led them into the small side parlor. The door shut with a decisive click. She faced Marcus first.
“You escorted her home last night.”
Marcus inclined his head. “Fenwick left no choice.”
Lila drew a quiet breath. “Mrs. Dove-Lyon, I assure you—”
“You assure no one,” Bessie said. “Not when your safety is in question.”
Her gaze sharpened as it returned to Marcus. “Fenwick is becoming bold.”
“He spoke to her as if she belonged to him,” Marcus said. “I will not allow it again.”
Bessie’s brow lifted slightly. “Will not allow,” she repeated once. “Interesting phrasing.”
Marcus held her gaze.
Lila did not.
“Mrs. Dove-Lyon,” she said carefully, “I do not wish this to become a matter of concern. I am careful. Nothing happened—”
“Nothing happened yet,” Bessie cut in. “Which is when men like Fenwick are most dangerous.”
Marcus’s hands curled.
“I do not want trouble brought to your house,” Lila said.
“My dear girl,” Bessie replied dryly, “trouble never waits for an invitation.”
Silence followed.
Bessie shifted her cane. “Now. To the purpose of this discussion.” Her gaze fixed on Lila. “There was a wager placed on my books concerning you.” She turned her head slightly. “And Lord Wolfton.”
Lila stiffened.
Marcus’s jaw tightened. “Who would dare?”
“I closed it,” Bessie said. “Quietly.” Her eyes gleamed. “But it was not removed.”
Lila’s breath caught.
“Meaning?” Marcus asked.
“It means Fenwick believes the matter unresolved,” Bessie said. “And Fenwick never leaves a wager unfinished.”
Cold settled low in Marcus’s chest.
“What wager?” Lila asked.
“One claiming Fenwick would convince you to accept his attentions,” Bessie said. “Over Lord Wolfton’s.”
Lila went utterly still. Shock passed through her. Then humiliation. Then something colder. Resolve.
