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The earl drew Teresa aside. “Willanyone listen to you?” she asked him.
“After this latest outrage, I’m sure I can convince the duke to send his son away.”
“No more than that?”
Lord Macklin looked grim. “All the people from that house fled before the magistrate reached it.”
“Even the woman we tied up?”
He nodded. “I suppose she was found and freed. I have just heard that the hunt for them has turned up nothing. They are still being searched for. I hope some may be found.”
“Because without them, it is only ‘whores’ accusing Lord Simon. And they must be liars,sí?”
He made no reply.
“There is the driver who took me into the country,” Teresa exclaimed. How could she have forgotten him? “We saw Lord Simon drive through the gates with Jeanne.”
“Ah. Of course. That could be helpful.” His tone was doubtful.
“But not enough?” She felt bitterness well up. “Another insignificant person lining up against the son of a duke.”
“A private arrangement with his father would be most likely to succeed,” said Lord Macklin.
“So all goes on as before. He will not be punished. Perhaps I should let Jeanne’s friend the assassin kill him.”
“What?”
“Oh, of course I will tell her she mustn’t. It just makes me so angry that nothing will happen to that man.”
“I was thinking of suggesting a madhouse,” replied the earl.
This startled her.
“This is not his only outrage. Lord Simon is subject to irrational fits of rage. He has attacked people with a whip. Incidents have been hushed up. Several promising horses were taken ill after his visit to a baron’s racing stable. And he is suspected of cheating at cards. More than suspected, perhaps. I am looking into that.”
“So there are offenses againstimportantpeople to be taken into account.”
He didn’t deny it. “Forcing his way into my house is so far beyond the line. I think his father will listen.”
“Because you are of his class and rank. And might make trouble for him among those he…values.”
“I am sorry—”
Teresa cut off his apology with a gesture. “Of course I am thankful that you are willing to act. I don’t know what would have become of these girls without you.” That wasn’t true. She had a very good idea. She only wished she didn’t know.
“I am glad to do what I can,” he said.
“Noblesse oblige.” Teresa turned away. “We must be humbly grateful.” She had been expected to appreciate so many unpalatable things in her life. At least the inequity of justice wasn’t a personal slight. Though near-universal oppression was hardly any better.
“Nonsense!” The sharpness of his tone made several of the girls on the other side of the room turn to look at them. “You know I seek no such thing,” he added. “I don’t want your…obeisance for doing a thing that is right. What a repellent idea.”
He said it as if there could be no argument. She’d forgotten his quality for a moment. If she’d found someone like him after her family was killed… Teresa cut off a rush of regrets.
Silence had fallen over the drawing room. Odile looked frightened. “I must speak to them,” she said with a gesture.
“Yes. I had thought we could talk about what kind of help our guests would like, but this is not a good time.”
“No.” He said “our” as if they could both offer aid. But despite his attitude, the gift of largesse remained almost wholly his. And so it would always be, between them.
