Page 16 of Redemption of a Marquess

Chapter Four

They arrived home to find tea waiting for them in the parlor.

Jeanine and Miss Matheson settled on the settee and Valan took the chair to their left. Miss Stone poured and handed out the cups.

“What does a ward do?” Jeanine asked.

Valan paused as he lifted the teacup to his lips. “I am not quite sure.”

“She will continue her education as a lady,” Miss Stone said. “Sewing, pianoforte, party planning, perhaps a little Latin and French. Parlez-vous françaiss, mademoiselle?” she said in flawless French.

“Miss Stone, you surprise me,” Valan said.

“Tu parles français comme un parisien,” Jeanine said.

“Miss Matheson,” Valan said in delight. “You, too, speak French like a Parisian. Where did you learn?”

“From Lady Peddington, of course.”

“Surely, you spoke the language before you attended her school,” he said.

Jeanine beamed and shook her head. “Nae. She said I was a natural. I don’t speak fluently, but I would love to visit Paris and practice.”

“Well, the way you and Miss Stone speak French, it would be a crime not to go.” He looked at Miss Stone. “Is a trip to France permissible for a ward?”

“Very much so, sir.”

“Then it’s settled.”

Baldwin entered, carrying a single envelope on a silver tray. “Forgive the interruption, my lord.” He stopped in front of Valan. “This just arrived for you from Lady Douglas. Her man awaits a reply.”

Valan set down his teacup, took the envelope and pulled the notecard from within:

An invitation from Lady Douglas for an intimate luncheon on the morrow. He looked at Baldwin. “Please have the man waiting, inform Lady Douglas that Miss Matheson and Miss Stone will be happy to attend the party.”

“As you wish, sir.” Baldwin bowed and left.

“A party?” Miss Matheson said.

Valan handed her the invitation.

She scanned the note, then looked up. “How did Lady Douglas learn so soon that I am to be your ward?”

“You are not ‘to be’ my ward,” Valan corrected. “You are my ward. As for how she knew so quickly…” He thought of Lord Gordon. “Society always finds a way to spread the latest news.”

“I am not particularly interested in a luncheon,” Jeanine said.

“Miss Douglas has been kind enough to extend the invitation at this late date. You will attend.”

“You do not mean to attend?” she demanded.

He hadn’t planned to attend, then imagined her strolling in the garden and being accosted by a wolf who didn’t know she was the Marquess of Northington’s ward. “Of course, I will accompany you.”

Mischief danced in her eyes. “You’re afraid to let me go alone, aren’t you?”

“I fear, whether I accompany you or not, we shall have our challenges.”

“We must bring Miss Stone, of course.”