Lady Hurst was eyeing him with a cold glitter to her eye, so he bowed and left, heading to a rather large group that also included Stone and his ward. A couple of men were gathered around her: young and…her height.
“Have you caught this monster yet?” A chap turned to ask. The whole group looked to Lucas and he inwardly sighed. It was similar to being interrogated by the French: less painful but just as rapid.
“I arrived Tuesday so still have much to learn about the situation. Tomorrow I am meeting the magistrate. Hopefully this…monster will be apprehended as soon as possible.”
“Takes one to know one, I suppose,” a voice drawled from his side.
Cocking his head, he saw Lady Hurst tap an elegant finger against her lip.
“Your point, my lady?”
“Well, war has made you a monster, yes? So you’d recognise the same sort of creature.” An angry flush now graced her beautiful cheeks.
A few gentlemen were shaking their heads in disgust. He could see Miss Trewent about to open her mouth and although he’d been amused and grateful for her earlier defence, it was now unnecessary.
“Better a monster with a sensitive soul, my lady, than a beauty with a monstrous nature.” He gave a short bow to the assembled group. “If you will excuse me. Lord Stonebridge, ladies, gentlemen, I have an early start tomorrow.”
As he strode from the room, Lucas knew some people would suspect his tense jaw and clenched hand were a sign of anger and fury: they weren’t.
