Page 12 of Redemption of a Marquess

Chapter Three

Satisfaction rushed through Valan when understanding registered in Gordon’s eyes.

Lady Chastity looked at her husband and Valan glimpsed the tiny shake of Stirling’s head an instant before Gordon addressed Valan, “You think yourself so clever.”

“Excuse me,” Miss Matheson said, “But—”

Gordon swung his gaze onto Sir Stirling. “She is an innocent, my lord. You cannot allow Northington to make her his mistress.”

Valan widened his eyes. “Mistress?” he repeated in unison with Miss Matheson.

Her eyes snapped onto him, but he kept his stare on Gordon. “You misunderstand, Gordon. She is not my mistress. She is my ward.”

Gordon gaped. “Your ward?”

“Forgive me.” Valan gave a tiny bow. “That is a gross misunderstanding and completely my fault. I should have clarified earlier.”

“No misunderstanding, I wager,” Gordon muttered. “We all know your reputation as The Morning Star.”

Valan flashed a broad smile. “The Morning Star was considered the most beautiful of all God’s creations.”

Anger born of thirty years of envy flashed in Gordon’s eyes. “Aye, you are arrogant enough to believe that of yourself.”

“You give me too much credit,” Valan said. “I have never held myself in such high esteem.”

“Oh, but you do—and you do not deny the nickname.”

“Excuse me, Lord Gordon, but this is not your business.” Miss Matheson gave a dismissive wave of her hand. “Go away.”

Valan struggled to maintain a neutral expression.

“You will thank me, Miss Matheson,” Gordon replied tightly, then said to Sir Stirling, “My lord, I appeal to your sense of duty. Northington cannot be allowed sway in this young woman’s life.”

“I find this wildly amusing,” Valan interjected. “It seems Gordon would like to reinterpret the law.”

A group of ladies passed close by. Once they left earshot, Gordon said, “I happen to know, sir, that Miss Matheson is a student of Lady Peddington’s School for Young Ladies and she is no relation to you.”

“Indeed?” said Valan. “I am all agog. How is it you find yourself in possession of this knowledge and what has it to do with anything?”

“That is none of your concern. All that matters is that your so-called guardianship is a ruse to take advantage of her.”

“You are very rude,” said Miss Matheson with heat. “His lordship has been a perfect gentleman. Why, when he found me in the garden, he was very adamant that I return to the ballroom before my reputation was ruined.”

“Found you in the gardens?” A glint appeared in Gordon’s eyes and his gaze shifted to Valan. “I will not allow you to take advantage of another unsuspecting woman.”

“One might wonder, my dear Gordon, how you propose to stop me were that my plan.” Valan lifted a brow. “With a pistol, perhaps?”

“That method worked in the past.”

“The inexperience of youth, do you not agree?” Valan laughed. “In truth, you saved me much grief by intervening that night.”

Gordon blinked. “I beg your pardon?”

“Victoria and I didn’t suit at all. Marriage would have been disastrous.” Valan flashed a grin. “The passion of youth.” Gordon’s eyes sparked. Valan gave him no chance to reply, but turned to Lady Chastity. “Might I impose upon you, my lady, to take Miss Matheson home with you tonight—with your husband’s permission, of course? Tomorrow, my ward will have a female companion at Finley Hall.”

“I would be pleased to have Miss Matheson stay with us,” she replied.

Valan addressed Miss Matheson. “Would you prefer to stay with Lady Chastity rather than return to Lady Peddington’s school?”