At last, Wentworth nodded. “Yes, unless some evidence in the future points to the contrary, in which case you would regret our conversation today.”
Seger understood. The duke would not be lied to.
“So, I take it,” Seger said, “that you are not here to muscle a marriage proposal out of me?”
“Not today.”
“But you want me to keep away from her.”
Because that’s what male relations of Seger’s paramoursalwayswanted.
For a long time, Wentworth appeared as if he were considering the question. Then he set down his glass. “Clara is my wife’s sister. She is a kindhearted, intelligent young woman and her happiness is my primary concern. From what I can discern, she has an affection for you, and I will not be the one to tell her that her affections are misguided. I do not know one way or another if they are. I will, however, watch carefully over the coming weeks to ensure that she is not treated in a cavalier fashion. You will see her only in respectable situations, and you will not continue to encourage her if there is no future in it. If you do, there will be consequences. Do you understand?”
“Perfectly.”
“I must also inform you,” the duke added, “that you are very close to the center of another scandal, a scandal I attempted to avert just over an hour ago.”
Seger glanced down at Wentworth’s bloody hand and felt the muscles of his forearm tighten as he clenched his own hand into a fist. “What scandal? It doesn’t involve Clara, does it?”
“Your concern for my sister-in-law does you credit. Yes, it involves her. The two of you were seen together at two separate Cakras Balls, and a certain gentleman who covets Clara’s marriage settlement has threatened to reveal it. Under other circumstances I would have words for you in that regard, but from what I understand, Clara’s attendance at the ball was accidental, at least the first time, and you steered her away and suggested that she leave. You did the same the second time, when it wasnotaccidental.”
Was Seger receiving a commendation? he wondered, staring at Wentworth’s dark expression. Why was he telling him all this?
“You said just now that you attempted to avert the scandal,” Seger mentioned. “Were you successful?”
“I made an impression,” the duke replied, “but it wouldn’t hurt for you to make an impression as well. I believe we should present a united front.”
Seger tried to keep his anger in check. “Who, may I ask, is the gentleman in question?”
“Guysborough.”
“The duke? Bloody hypocrite. He, of all people, should know the rules of the Cakras Society. He’d tried something like this once before, didn’t he?”
“Yes, two years ago he was suspended for speaking about a particular lady who had rejected his attentions at one of the balls, but I think in this case, Clara’s value financially was worth the risk of being suspended again.”
“Society won’t take kindly to a second misdemeanor. A suspension would be the least of his punishments.”
“I reminded him of that,” Wentworth said. “Perhaps you should, too. Tell him that we spoke.”
“Will that do the trick?
“Who’s to say for sure? All I know is that I don’t trust him.” Wentworth stood. “Thank you for the brandy, Rawdon.”
Seger stood as well. “I’ll show you out.”
They went to the door where the butler was waiting with the duke’s coat and hat. Wentworth was halfway down the steps outside, almost to his coach, when Seger called out to him. “Wentworth!” The duke stopped and turned.
“I appreciated the invitation your wife sent—for my family to attend your assembly.”
A bluebird flew by, then swooped down and perched on the stone wall by the gate.
“It was our pleasure to welcome you, Rawdon.” Wentworth touched the brim of his top hat and continued toward his coach.
Seger stood for a moment or two, watching the vehicle drive off.
The meeting had not gone the way he had expected.
Finally, he closed the door and returned to his study. All he could think about was Clara and the fact that a scandal had come dangerously close to her shores, no thanks to him. He loathed the idea that he had brought her even the smallest measure of grief or anxiety. She had trusted him with her reputation, and he had let her down.
