Page 66 of The Redemption of the Shrew

He leered down at her. “A new set is forming. Why not now?”

She mastered her revulsion and placed her hand in his. “With pleasure, my lord.”

~ ~ ~

Gloriana gritted her teeth and forced herself to remain at the ball, enduring mocking glances, rude whispers, and the occasional lecherous stare, until Alice Stowe was ready to leave. Philippe, thank heavens, had left immediately after their contretemps. Mr. Bridge asked her to dance again, which was so kindhearted of him that she almost wept. Instead, she quizzed him on dancing with her scandalous self.

“Nonsense, dear Miss Warren. We’re all entitled to a tantrum from time to time, although preferably not in such a public situation.”

“I hope you now realize the unwisdom of offering for me,” she said.

He laughed. “Not at all. Unlike Monsieur de Bellechasse, I am not the sort of man to drive a woman to a scandalous outburst.”

“I was insufferably rude to him—not that he didn’t deserve it.”

He smiled sympathetically. “It will blow over soon enough. However, as it chances, it is for the best that you refused my repeated offer. I am not making an announcement about it, but you may wish me happy.”

“Oh, I do!” How wonderful to have a reason to be joyful. “Who is she?”

“That is the difficulty. She is the daughter of a merchant—a wealthy one, but our sort will not accept her. My mother is reconciling herself to the idea, but only because she longs for grandchildren. In any event, you’ll see me less often in Society, as I shall have to spend a great deal of time with my new relations. Which I expect I shall enjoy—trade being so very useful, you know.”

“Oh, no, please do not desert us.” She couldn’t afford to lose friends, which was a selfish reason to object. “I for one shall be happy to befriend your wife, and to stand sponsor to your children.” She paused. “That is, if I am not considered too scandalous to do so.”

“Not by me,” he said. “That’s most kind of you, Miss Warren.”

“Not really,” she admitted. “I shall miss you otherwise. As well, social distinctions are backward and absurd, and I relish an opportunity to flout them.”

“Bravo. If I may ever return the favor, let me know.”

She was obliged to put up with a scold from Alice during the ride home. “Are you trying to ruin yourself? If so, you’re making a good job of it. People are beginning to wonder if you are considering becoming Lord Hythwick’s mistress.”

“What? Never!”

“What else are they to conclude? He has no intention of marrying you, so why else would you flirt with him so pointedly? Unless it is to make Philippe de Bellechasse jealous.”

Gloriana felt Alice eyeing her slyly in the dark coach, probably dreaming up some new and annoying gossip. “No, it was because Philippe infuriated me.” She heaved a sigh. “He always brings out the worst in me.”

Alice chuckled. “So you had best avoid both him and Lord Hythwick. It will be extremely annoying if Mr. Stowe hears too much gossip to your discredit and refuses to let me associate with you any longer.”

“That would be a pity,” Gloriana said automatically. When she at last arrived home in the small hours, she found Elspeth waiting. The last thing she needed was a sympathetic maid, for she would likely burst into tears, which she had valiantly refrained from doing for what seemed like hours.

Oh, to hell with Alice, Society, and the entire world, including Philippe de Bellechasse.

She mastered a trembling lip at this last thought and said grumpily, “I told you not to wait up for me.”

“Yes, Miss Glow, but I have good news. Mr. Turner has discovered where his lordship keeps the book.”

“Oh. That’s good.” Gloriana wished she could sound more enthusiastic, but nothing seemed to matter at the moment. It would be frightfully poor-spirited to flee to Lancashire to avoid the gossip, but London would be no fun now. Prim and proper hostesses would hesitate to invite her to their parties, whilst others would watch avidly in the hope of witnessing another outburst.

Not only that, now that she’d shown Lord Hythwick some encouragement, she would have to continue staying away from the school—for now he had every reason to expect a private tour.

Which left her with nothing to do but sit at home and twiddle her thumbs.

“But it’s in his strongbox, to which only his lordship has the key,” Elspeth said. “Mr. Turner could pry it open, to be sure, but he says Lord Hythwick opens the strongbox almost every day, so he will notice immediately if it has been broken into. We would not wish suspicion to fall on any of the servants, you see.”

“Of course not,” Gloriana said dully. “I’ll think about it in the morning.”

“We might have to hire a burglar, as you did before.”