Page 83 of Miss Delancey’s Tragicomedy

They sat in silence for several minutes, staring at opposite walls.

Then Trentham said, “I haven’t even asked you how the meeting went with Derry.”

Eli buried his nose in his glass and sipped. He emerged frowning.

Trentham groaned. “That badly?”

“He was not particularly impressed with my list. He said he’d been given to understand that there might be a few wives of peers—”

“They won’t come forward.” They wouldn’t dare.

“They could be subpoenaed.”

“And imagine what that would do to my standing, if I were to drag ladies into this mess. On top of what they must already have suffered at Sir George’s hands.”

Eli slapped his drink down on a side table, stood abruptly, and stepped away. Trentham stared after him. Bloody hell. His heart sank.

“You must think me a black-hearted fiend.”

“You’re a peer.” Eli returned to him, grimacing. “Robin, you know I’ll do anything for you and your sister. But I’ve been face to face with some of these women and they’re terrified. Not only of Sir George, but of their husbands, families…they have their own standing to worry about. And their ruin will be a good deal less comfortable than yours or Lady Townes’ would be.”

Trentham turned this over in his mind, but saw no solution. “I hate it too. But it’s Sir George’s fault, not mine. And Felicity is my first concern.”

“Of course.”

Trentham set his glass down on the carpet, then rose to pace. Gin was beginning to work its magic. But no more of it, or he’d feel even worse when the effect wore off. “I suppose I should go to Lynch’s and break the news of my betrothal.” He couldn’t imagine how he was going to tell Miss Delancey, but it must come from him.

“Hmm. Tonight?”

“It isn’t that late, is it?” He twisted around to look for the clock. Not quite nine.

Eli cocked his head. “Are you not aware that Mr. Delancey is arriving in London tonight?”

“Their father? They never said…”

“Evidently it was something of a surprise. The household is all aflutter. Maybe you should wait until tomorrow. Don’t ruin the reunion with news they won’t want to hear.”

Blast it. By rights, he should be asking the man for permission to court his daughter. Instead, he’d be breaking her heart under his nose.

Or was that just his conceit? His heart was breaking. That didn’t mean hers would be. But how was he to tell her he was marrying Lady Elizabeth after what he’d said to her in his carriage?

As he stared dully past Eli, he was alerted to his butler’s presence. Henson stood in the doorway clearing his throat, holding a silver tray with an envelope upon it.

“What is it?” He waved him in.

“A messenger delivered this just now. I’m to understand it is important. He is awaiting a response.”

Trentham picked up the envelope. “From Derry.” He opened it.

Your Grace, it has come to my attention that there may be another avenue to explore in regards to Lady Townes’ suit. May I call upon you tomorrow at your convenience to discuss?

Trentham moved to the desk for paper and pen, then scribbled, I will see you at eleven. He folded the paper and set it on the tray. “Give him this.”

Henson nodded and left the room. Eli raised his eyebrows. “Good news or bad?”

“I don’t know. Good, I hope. I can’t envision anything worse than what we already know.”

Chapter Twenty-Eight