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‘Trust me, Giles, if I were you’d be the first to know.’
‘So it’s not true, then? Pity. Kitty was quite excited. Thought we could have dinner parties or something.’
‘Then I’m sorry to disappoint her, though as it happens, she was half-right. The lady simply decided against me.’
‘She refused you?’ Giles’s eyebrows almost vanished into his hairline. ‘But she’s been flirting with you for months!’
‘I had that impression, too, but it appears I’m not quite respectable enough. Not respectable at all, apparently. Certain things about my past—my parentage—were disagreeable to her.’
‘Ridiculous!’ Giles looked outraged on his behalf. ‘It’s not as if any of it was your fault!’
Robert smiled and put a hand on his friend’s shoulder. ‘It was foolish of me to think anyone had forgotten. It seems wealth and success allow access to society, not acceptance.’
‘The woman’s a fool!’
‘In any case, I’m sure Kitty will be able to tell you everything in a few days, probably more than I know myself. In the meantime, we have a gala and ball to endure.’
He strode across to the window, putting the subject firmly behind him, searching the street below for any sign of a grey dress. Where had Miss Holt been going when she’d stormed away? The brother had mentioned an aunt...
‘Is that Charles Lester?’ His gaze sharpened suddenly.
‘Mmm?’ Giles came to stand at his side. ‘Oh, yes, he arrived in town yesterday. I played cards with him in the Swan last night. Seemed very pleased with himself despite the fact he was losing.’
‘What about?’
‘Didn’t say. Something about a woman, most likely.’ Giles did an abrupt double take. ‘I say, don’t be too bothered.’
‘What?’
‘You were scowling. I said, don’t be too bothered about Louisa.’
‘Oh. No, I wasn’t thinking about her.’
He moved away from the window, turning his back firmly on Charles Lester. The Baronet represented the very worst of his class. Arrogant, entitled, not to mention a notorious womaniser. His reputation was near legendary, almost as much as his own father’s had been, his conquests usually women without protectors or ones poor enough to be paid off afterwards. The orphaned, impoverished Miss Holt seemed to fit the bill exactly, though the brother had definitely said he wanted to marry her. Not that she seemed like his usual type of woman. Like anyone’s type, for that matter.
Still, the thought of the strait-laced Miss Holt in Sir Charles’s clutches m
ade him feel inexplicably angry. After his own behaviour that morning, he felt strangely protective towards her, as if he’d somehow become responsible for her well-being. Not that he could help her if she wouldn’t let him. He’d asked her to marry him, for pity’s sake! He could hardly make any more amends than that...
‘I say, are you sure you’re all right?’ Giles peered at him thoughtfully. ‘You seem preoccupied. Nothing wrong at the shipyard, I hope?’
‘No, they don’t need me for a few days.’ His lips curved wryly. ‘It’s just a new proposal I’m working on.’
‘Need any help?’
‘No, though there is something Kitty could do.’
‘Whatever you need. You know she’s half-smitten with you.’
‘Only half?’
‘Very funny. It’s not fair that some men have good looks and fortune.’
‘Not enough for Louisa Allendon, apparently.’
‘I always thought she was flighty. What did you see in her anyway? Besides her more obvious attractions, I wouldn’t have thought the two of you well suited.’
Robert drew his brows together, surprised by his friend’s acuity. Now that he thought about it, it was hard to remember what his exact motives had been. He’d simply had the feeling that it was time to marry and Louisa had been beautiful, charming and accomplished, not to mention well connected.
