Chapter Four
“Ithink itbest if we do not mention this encounter to my father,” Caroline said as they walked away. Lady Theodora had rejoined the Sardinian count and Lady Emma Donoghue, and Lord Marksman had made his farewells and turned again towards the busy street.
“I agree,” Audrey said in relief, which she attempted to conceal. “What did you think of the pair?”
“Naturally,” Caroline said, “I barely spoke to Lord Marksman, for the gentleman’s attention was all on you.”
Audrey frowned. “Such is only true because we shared a dance previously,” she was quick to say.
Caroline’s tone said Audrey’s cousin did not agree. “I would say the gentleman favors you.”
“I have never encouraged his lordship,” Audrey protested. “I am well aware of Uncle’s dictates.”
Caroline leaned closer to say, “Yet, you think Lord Marksman is excessively handsome.”
Audrey swallowed hard against the rush of pleasure bringing a blush to her cheeks. “I thought of him as a coxcomb when I first laideyes on him,” she explained. “I said as much to Uncle. Then his lordship did me the favor of rescuing me from Lord Bacggart’s attempts to corner me in the ballroom. As I explained to Uncle Jacobi, as Lord Marksman claimed to have secured the first set previously, I felt it would have drawn more notice to refuse him, especially as Lord Bacggart looked on.”
Caroline nudged Audrey’s shoulder playfully. “As I said a moment earlier, you found the gentleman excessively handsome.”
Audrey glanced away briefly before answering. “I am cognizant of Lord Marksman’s fine countenance, but I am not attracted to him in the manner you assume.” Audrey would not say a part of her had placed her trust in his lordship, for such made little sense even to her. Moreover, that particular idea would only infuriate both Uncle Jacobi and Caroline.
Caroline declared, “I am very pleased to hear you think so. I would not wish to add Lord Marksman to the family.”
Audrey asked, “And what of Lady Theodora? Was she amiable?”
“Fair,” Caroline admitted reluctantly. “Definitely not the type of woman with whom I would care to associate, however.”
Audrey did not want to ask, but she did, nevertheless. “Do you think she and Lord Marksman have some sort of understanding? I noticed them speaking together several times at the entertainment, and then they walked together today.”
Caroline’s eyebrow rose in an unspoken question, which set off an alarm in Audrey’s brain, but, after a slight pause, Caroline said, “From what Lady Theodora said, the lady’s father served as the principal guardian for Lord Marksman when the young lord inherited the earldom. Lord Duncan has guided Marksman’s transition since his lordship was but twelve.”
Privately, Audrey felt great pain for a young Lord Marksman, for she knew the real loneliness of losing a parent, or both parents, in her case. “He said something similar to me. Then I am glad for LordMarksman’s great fortune in finding someone to guide him into manhood.”
“As my father and I have held your hand as you step into womanhood,” Caroline stated boldly.
Audrey had, truthfully, never felt fullywelcomedinto Uncle Jacobi’s household, at least, not since she had been quite young, when she was simply grateful for regular meals and a playmate who looked upon her with some pleasure. Sometimes she thought her uncle only tolerated her for Caroline’s sake. Such was not to say she was not thankful to have been rescued from her situation in the Americas, but she sorely wished for a bit of affection. She prayed Lord Marksman had received more than an education in his responsibilities to the earldom. Realizing Caroline waited for Audrey’s response, she quickly said, “His lordship and I are both blessed to have someone who cared for us.”
“Duncan!” Navan bellowedwhen he was admitted to Duncan Place. “Duncan!”
“I heard you the first ten times,” Duncan declared sarcastically. “What has you so excited?”
“There is a meeting today. John Yates is to attend!” Navan explained.
“John Yates? Are you assured?”
“Lionel disguised himself as a hack driver and drove Honfleur to the Oakley Arms. Honfleur insisted that Lionel wait for him. Naturally, Lionel tarried a bit closer than necessary while pretending to throw darts and to nurse his drink. He overheard the name ‘Yates’ used twice. By the way, here is the bank note Honfleur presented Lionel as payment. I expect it is also a forgery.”
Duncan held it to the light. “If it is, it is more sophisticated than most, which means we could be hoping to hold back a hailstorm with nothing but a single bucket.”
“Who is available to travel with us?” Navan asked. “I assume you mean also to be at the Oakley.”
“Marksman will want to join us. I believe Orson should also be available,” Duncan remarked as he turned the bank note over and over in his hands and studied it.
“Marksman will require a wig so as not to be recognized,” Navan said with a smile. “I know how much he despises them, while I truly do not mind them. They provide me the opportunity to be someone I am not. Escape the real me for a few minutes.”
They had beenat the inn for perhaps three-quarters of an hour when Honfleur, Lady Caroline, and Miss Moreau entered the inn. “Interesting,” Navan said softly, and they all leaned in to hear what else he might say.
“What is interesting?” Duncan asked with a frown marking his brow in apparent irritation.
