Page 24 of Seduction of a Widow

She narrowed her eyes. “What are you saying, Mr. MacLaren?”

So, it was Mr. MacLaren now, was it? “Lord Barnton lost the last race to you.”

She arched a brow but said nothing.

“Did he cheat this time as he did last time?”

Her expression remained neutral. “How can I know that?”

“I find it interesting that he has an excuse for losing a second race with you,” Evan said.

“That is interesting, isn’t it?” she murmured.

“There was not the slightest clue as to how he ended up being dragged by his horse?”

Something flickered in her eyes.

“What happened?” he asked.

“A lady doesn’t make accusations against an earl.”

There it was.

“What sort of accusations?” Evan asked.

“That he tried to dismount me.”

His gut tightened in anger. “How might one do that?”

“By snapping his reins against my horse’s rump.”

“What the bloody hell?” he blurted.

“I cannot be certain,” she said.

“Why not?” he demanded. “It seems a straightforward matter.”

She shrugged. “It is possible he was snapping his reins against Apollo and simply got too close to Ares.”

Evan snorted. “You do not believe that any more than I do.”

“Perhaps,” she said. “However, as I said, a lady does not accuse an earl of cheating.”

“I would say that this accident has taught him a lesson, but I doubt Barnton is capable of learning.”

“In that we can agree,” she said.

Voices in the hallway floated their way.

“I believe we have company,” Evan murmured.

“Alice, I imagine,” Leslie said.

A moment later, Lady Langley entered with Lady Flora and half a dozen other guests.

“There you are, darling.” Lady Langley crossed the room and the others followed. She reached the divan and Evan stood, as did Leslie. Lady Langley kissed her cheek, then nodded to Evan. “Sir.”

“My lady.” He bowed.