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“Would you care to hear the polite answers or the truth?”
Oliver gave her an amused look. “The truth, if you don’t mind.”
“I enjoy riding at my country estate, and I recently opened an orphanage.”
“Yes, the Elizabeth Dowding School for Orphan Girls,” Oliver replied. “I remember my mother and sister telling me about that. What a tremendous accomplishment.”
“Thank you.” Madalene glanced over her shoulder to ensure no one would be privy to what she was about to ask. “May I ask you a question?”
Oliver smiled flirtatiously. “You may ask me anything that you want, my dear.”
Ignoring his tone, she asked, “We didn’t speak of it in the coach, but why were you in the rookeries that day your brother pretended to abduct me?”
His smile dimmed. “Why would you care to know that?”
“Lord Hawthorne also said you were following us to ensure my protection,” she pressed. “Why was that?”
His eyes grew guarded. “You will have to ask my brother.”
“Why is that exactly?” she questioned.
“I know it may sound confusing, but there was a perfectly rational explanation for why I was in the rookeries.”
She looked at him expectantly. “Which was?”
“I am not at liberty to say,” he murmured as his eyes scanned the room. “Furthermore, this is not the place to discuss such things.”
“I apologize, but I have so many questions that remain unanswered.”
Lord Oliver kept a smile on his lips, but she could hear the warning in his tone. “A ball is generally a place where you discuss things that are much more pleasant.”
Madalene frowned, ever so slightly, and asked, “You aren’t going to tell me anything, are you?”
“No, but I would like to hear more about your orphanage,” Oliver said, glancing over at her. “That sounds more interesting.”
It was maddening that Oliver refused to answer her questions, but before she could press him any further, the music started up and he led her to where she was to line up. He dropped her arm and went to stand across from her.
As Madalene began to dance to the music, she couldn’t help but wonder what kind of illicit activities Lord Hawthorne and his brother were entangled with.
