“I’m not sure,” he replied. “I shall need to speak to my mother about this matter.”
Cosgrove nodded before he walked away, disappearing back into the crowd.
As Roswell approached the group, he saw the questions in Miss Bentley’s eyes. He stopped next to his mother and asked, “May I speak to you for a moment?”
Miss Bentley spoke up. “I would prefer if you would just tell me what the problem is.”
He glanced at his mother for permission and she bobbed her head. He let out a sigh before revealing, “It would appear that the greatest gossip of thetonhas discovered that you have no dowry and are desperate to marry this Season.”
“I see,” Miss Bentley responded. “She isn’t wrong.”
“No, but she is informing people that you would do anything to make that happen.”
“I’m afraid I don’t understand,” Miss Bentley said, frowning.
“She is implying that you would be willing to trap someone into marriage,” Roswell stated bluntly.
Miss Bentley gasped. “I would do no such thing!”
“We are well aware,” Roswell said, “but I’m afraid it has greatly hampered your prospects this Season.”
“Oh,” Miss Bentley murmured. “That is terrible news.”
His mother placed a hand on her sleeve. “Do not worry,” she encouraged. “We haven’t even begun to fight this.”
“I daresay it won’t help,” Miss Bentley remarked. “My mother warned me about the gossips, and she told me they could ruin reputations with just a slip of their tongue.”
“You are under our protection, and we protect our own,” his mother pressed. “We will find a way out of this mess.”
Out of the corner of his eye, Roswell saw Lady Persephone standing against the wall, watching them.
“Excuse me for a moment,” Roswell said before heading across the room. He stopped in front of Lady Persephone and gave her a slight bow. “May I speak to you for a moment?”
“You may,” she replied with a smile.
Roswell led her towards the open French doors in the back of the room. As they stepped outside, he was mindful to remain where they could be seen but not heard.
Once he dropped his arm, he turned to face Lady Persephone. “Did you inform Lady Rochester that Miss Bentley didn’t have a dowry and that she was in desperate need to marry this Season?”
“Good heavens, no!” she declared.
“You didn’t?”
“No, but I did inform my mother of Miss Bentley’s terrible plight, and she must have told Lady Rochester,” she said, “which was most fortunate.”
“Why do you say that?” he asked.
“Because it’s obvious that Miss Bentley would be willing to trap an unassuming gentleman into a marriage of convenience.”
“She intended to do no such thing.”
“But you implied—”
Roswell cut her off. “You misunderstood me.”
Lady Persephone brought her hand up to her mouth. “I assure you that I meant no harm, my lord.”
Her manner left Roswell questioning her sincerity. “I’m afraid you did immense harm to Miss Bentley’s reputation.”
