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Charlotte crossed the room while he was reaching for a dark jacket. His cravat was hastily tied, and she reached for it. He froze when she untied it slowly, her body close to his. She could smell the pine scent of him, and it was tempting to stand on tiptoe to steal a kiss.

Which was exactly the opposite of what she needed to do.

Distance, she reminded herself as she fixed the knot in his cravat. In a quiet voice, she asked, ‘Alaric, is there something I should know?’

He hesitated but met her gaze. ‘It no longer matters. But I don’t want you to attend the Selwyn ball alone.’

‘I was never going to be alone,’ she reminded him softly. ‘So, what is this really about?’

It was infinitely clear that there was something bothering him about this particular ball. She waited for him to tell her, but he said nothing. He finished dressing and offered her his arm.

‘It’s in the past now. Let us go.’

Charlotte had never attended a ball hosted by Lord and Lady Selwyn. They had been married nearly six months and she guessed that this winter ball was meant to celebrate their marriage.

But from the moment they’d arrived, Alaric had stiffened. He didn’t want to be here, and it seemed to be about more than his aversion to balls. Yet he had been adamant about accompanying her.

Maybe he was worried about some sort of threat. From Lord Selwyn? She couldn’t imagine why. But when he escorted her to greet their hosts, her husband’s entire demeanour shifted. His posture straightened, and his expression turned grim when he greeted the earl and countess. Though he was polite to Lady Selwyn, the countess appeared stricken at the sight of them.

Now, why was that? She had sent the invitation, after all.

Charlotte smiled at Lady Selwyn when Alaric introduced her, but it was clear that he had no desire for them to converse. He all but dragged her away from the other couple.

When they were out of earshot, she murmured, ‘You don’t like our hosts, do you?’

‘I don’t know what you mean.’

‘Yes, you do.’ She placed her hand on his arm. ‘You’ve never behaved like that with anyone else. And Lady Selwyn seemed quite upset to see us. Why is that?’

He didn’t answer, but it made her consider. Then she wondered aloud. ‘Your father. Did he borrow money from the earl?’

Alaric’s gaze was fixed upon the crowd of people, which only seemed to confirm her suspicions. ‘As I said before, it’s in the past, Charlotte. None of it matters any more.’

She didn’t believe him. And from the way he was moving across the room, he clearly didn’t want to talk about it. Rather than darken his mood, she decided to get her answers another way.

‘I see my sister. If you don’t mind, I’d like to speak with her,’ she said.

He gave a nod and offered, ‘I’ll get you some lemonade.’

Charlotte wasn’t exactly thirsty, but it didn’t matter. If the task gave Alaric a purpose, so be it. She moved across the room, greeting some of the young ladies she knew, until she reached her sister’s side.

Evelyn offered a smile and embraced her. ‘Charlotte, you’re looking well.’

‘As are you.’ Her sister wore a rose gown and her dark blonde hair was styled in the latest fashion with ringlets at her ears. Charlotte had always envied her sister’s curling hair instead of her own straight blonde hair.

‘You do look a little tired,’ her sister teased. ‘Is your new husband keeping you up at night?’

Charlotte blinked at the question, not knowing how to answer. Her cheeks were blushing, but Evelyn only laughed.

‘I can see from your face that he is. Good.’

‘I…well, this is not quite the conversation I imagined us having in public.’ She fanned herself, wondering if it was hot in here or whether it was simply her own embarrassment.

‘We are both married,’ Evelyn said. ‘We can speak as we wish now.’ After a slight pause, she added, ‘Though I will admit, I am surprised that His Grace brought you to this particular ball.’ She cast a glance towards the earl and countess.

Clearly, her sister knew something. When Charlotte glanced behind her, she saw Alaric approaching with two glasses of lemonade in his hands. There wasn’t much time for questions.

In a low voice, she demanded, ‘Tell me why my husband insisted on accompanying me here when he despises balls. What do you know?’