Page 52 of A Taste of Miss Honey

A cold sensation tiptoed down Izzy’s spine at his audacity, at the way he took what he wanted without apology, but she kept her expression impassive even as her instincts prickled, her palms becoming clammy. He was so close his knee brushed her skirts, and Izzy shifted away, hoping it looked like shyness and not revulsion.

“You are too kind, my lord. I am touched by such a thoughtful gift and your kind words,” Izzy said, smiling at him though it made her sick now her previous distrust was compounded by the knowledge of what a villain he truly was. Still, a vicar’s daughter had ample opportunity for exhibiting patience and kindness when she might prefer to tear her hair out. If she was determined to help Ben, now was her chance to prove her worth.

“The pleasure is all mine, I assure you. Now, how are you enjoying your first taste of town life? I imagine it must all be rather overwhelming after living so quietly with your papa. Still, I am glad that you took my advice after all. I felt sure that you would once you’d had time to think about it.”

Izzy fought back the desire to tell him he was a condescending blackguard, and her decision had nothing to do with him nor his opinions. Instead, she gazed down at the flowers, her posture calculated to appear demure when what she really wanted to do was throw them at him. “Indeed. I am afraid I was rather rude to you, and I beg you will forgive me. It was only that coming to London was such a daunting prospect, and I was rather afraid of it. But your sensible advice made me see I was being foolish, and that I… I would have friends to protect me.”

She glanced up from under her lashes, daring to send him a shy smile. Izzy could feel Clementine’s startled expression, her eyes boring into the side of her head. Izzy did not dare look at her. Lord Alveston, however, appeared delighted by her words. His gaze roved over her, and despite the high, modest neckline of her gown, Izzy felt underdressed as his attention lingered upon her bosom, a calculating quality to his examination of her person that made her want to get up and run from the room.

“Ah, my dear Miss Honeywell. I cannot tell you how pleased I am by your words and your apology. I commend you for overcoming your fears and doing the right thing. Might I offer you a word of advice, however?”

Assuming he would treat her to a patronising list of places she ought or ought not see, and advice on how to comport herself whilst visiting, Izzy nodded politely, inclining her head a little as she prepared herself to endure it without throwing the teapot at him.

“Stay away from Midwinter.”

His words were so shocking, she jolted in surprise. Though she tried not to react further, Izzy could feel the colour leaching from her face. He returned a thin smile, probably imagining the expression was comforting as he reached out and gently patted her hand. It was all Izzy could do not to snatch it away. As it was, her fingers curled, and she made a mental note to thoroughly scrub her hands to rid herself of his touch, which was cool and slightly damp. He leaned closer to her, lowering his voice.

“Ah, my dear, do not look so horrified. You are an innocent, and were not to know, but he is a most unsavoury fellow, and it will do you no good at all to be seen with. His father was a despicable libertine and guilty of the worst of crimes—I shall not sully your ears with such tales—but suffice to say he was no gentleman, and his son appears to be worse. I should be dismayed to see you keeping company with him again.”

Izzy fought to keep her composure. Had he seen them out driving together? Was he watching Ben—following him, perhaps? But no, gossip flew among the ton, that much she had learned quickly. He had likely just heard about it. Still, her stomach twisted with anxiety as she tried to find a suitable reply, one that would not infuriate him but that she could stomach speaking aloud. Besides which, she would not avoid Ben no matter what this wretched devil instructed. “I beg your pardon, Lord Alveston. Whilst I understand your desire to protect me, I always use my father’s teachings to guide me. Mr Midwinter has treated me with nothing but respect, and my papa would not wish me to judge a man on the actions of his father. That would be unchristian.”

Something unpleasant flickered in his eyes, and Izzy quailed a little. It was there and gone, but she had seen a glimmer of something hard and vicious. He did not like being told he was in the wrong, especially not by a mere woman. For a moment her courage wavered, and she wondered if perhaps Ben was right, and she ought to leave the man alone. The idea of spending another moment in his company was not a happy one, but Ben needed her help, whether or not he wished to admit it.

“If you will forgive me for observing it, Miss Honeywell, your father is a vicar, a man of God whose experience is limited to a small town. I am a man of the world, I know Midwinter’s sort, and I am telling you he poses a danger. Stay away from him, or I fear you may find yourself in a situation no young lady’s reputation could recover from.”

Izzy stared at him, her heart hammering. Had that been a threat? Or was he really arrogant enough to believe he could order her to do as he told her? “You truly believe he is dangerous?” Izzy asked him, keeping her voice to a whisper.

“I know he is.”

There was something about the way he said it: the implacable nature of the words, the smug look on his face.

He knows.

Though she told herself she could not be certain, that it was no more than instinct, Izzy’s stomach twisted into a knot, a sensation akin to being doused in cold water rushing over her. Ben had been right to be concerned. Whether his own father had informed the man, she did not know, but somehow Lord Alveston had discovered there was a connection between Boreas and Mr Midwinter. She did not know if he realised they were one and the same, but he knew enough to realise they posed a threat.

“Come, come, my dear. You were not to know, and you have come to no harm. Now I have armed you with the facts, you may behave in a wiser fashion. I’m quite certain you will take care in the future. Now, let us speak of happier things. Will you be attending the Duchess of Whitney’s ball this evening?”

“Yes, indeed. I am looking forward to it,” Izzy said, struggling to appear calm and as though she was enjoying this interlude. She took her glasses off, focusing on cleaning them to give herself a moment. Somehow, she must warn Ben that the danger was more immediate than even he realised. They had to deal with Alveston, and quickly, before he used his advantages of rank and respectability to accuse Ben and make the accusation stick. Even if he could prove nothing and Ben escaped prosecution, he would be ruined in society. Ben would be forced to leave the country and return to France. It took all of her self-control to carry on the conversation. “I am afraid Mr Midwinter has secured a waltz,” she added, putting her glasses back on and gazing at him mournfully.

His expression darkened, his displeasure undeniable as his lip curled. “Well, I suppose you cannot deny him after accepting, it would cause too much talk, and that would do you no good. You ought to be safe enough in public, I suppose, and I shall be there, watching your every step, I assure you.”

Izzy shivered.

“Just make certain it does not happen again,” he told her sternly, his words harsh, looking as if he expected her immediate capitulation.

“Of course,” she said at once, lowering her head so she appeared shamefaced and silently praying she got to see the day he was taken away in chains as a traitor to the Crown.

There was a brief silence as he allowed her to squirm in the light of his admonishment before he softened a degree.

“Well, as I believe there will be two waltzes this evening, I hope you will save me a dance?” he asked, looking so blandly charming she could see how he had got away with his duplicity.

Who would believe such a polite and well-mannered young man was a traitor? Heaven only knew what else he was guilty of. What other crimes might he have perpetrated to keep his secret?

Izzy smiled, repulsed by the idea but knowing she must endure it for Ben’s sake.

“Of course, my lord. It would be my pleasure.”