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“That’s not true. You haven’t tripped once all evening.”
She frowned. “What does that have to do with anything?”
“Your claim is that you’re clumsy. I haven’t noticed anything clumsy you’ve done all evening. In fact, you’ve handled yourself with surprising grace. Now, stop frowning. We have to pretend we’re enjoying each other’s company.”
“I have been known to trip from time to time. Just because I haven’t done it yet, it doesn’t mean I lied when I said I was clumsy. Why, just this morning, I bumped into the doorway on my way out of the bedchamber. I might not be tripping all over gentlemen, but I have my moments.”
“Everyone has moments in their life where they trip or bump into something. That doesn’t mean anything. Remember to smile. Your father could be watching, and I don’t want him to think I’m doing a lousy job of pretending to be interested in you.” He gestured to his face where he had maintained a smile the entire time they had been talking.
She started looking for her father.
“You can’t do that,” Byron said. “And smile. People might wonder why you’re not interested in me. If you want another gentleman to get jealous, he needs to think you might accept me as a suitor.”
Her gaze went back to him. “I don’t feel like smiling. You keep criticizing me.”
Really? “I’m not trying to. I’m trying to help you. Your father could be right about something being amiss.” By the expression on her face, he realized she’d been hoping that he would conclude her father had nothing to worry about. “I don’t know if someone is seeking to harm you or if there’s something else they’re after, but you aren’t prone to accidents. The incidents with the balcony and with your carriage were probably done on purpose.”
“Why would someone want to harm me? I barely know anyone. I can’t think of a single person I’ve upset during my brief time in London.”
Giving up on the notion that he could talk her into smiling since she still refused to do so, he settled for letting his own smile go. “Anyone could be after you for any number of things.”
“What kind of things?”
Good grief. Did she really expect him to go through a list? Since she stared expectantly at him, he sighed. “Perhaps someone is jealous of you. Maybe you have attracted the interest of a married gentleman, and the wife found out and wishes to stop him before he makes his intentions known to you.”
Lady Eleanor laughed. While he didn’t see what was so funny about his statement, he laughed along with her since the laughter was a hearty one. Now people might finally think she was interested in him.
“In case you haven’t noticed,” she began, “I’m not the most attractive lady in the room. I’m a wallflower.”
“There could very well be a gentleman in London who prefers wallflowers.” When she gave him a pointed look that let him know she wouldn’t accept that scenario, he continued, “You are the daughter of a wealthy gentleman. Perhaps someone envies the money you have.”
“And how far would this person get by murdering me? If I die, they won’t inherit anything. It seems that if the person were a gentleman, he’d be better of marrying me to get to my father’s money than killing me.”
Yes, that was a good point, and it was one that had crossed his mind, which was why he was quick to suggest that a married gentleman was interested in her.
After a moment, he ventured, “It could very well be that your charming personality won over a prominent member of that lady’s group you went to, and out of jealousy, another lady wishes to cripple or murder you in order to stop your social engagements.”
This time she rolled her eyes. “If you’d been to theLadies of Gracesocial, you would have seen me sitting and listening to the others talk. I didn’t say more than a couple of words the entire time I was there. I think they only let me stay there out of pity.”
“I find it hard to believe you said so little during theLadies of Gracesocial since you’ve had no trouble talking to me.”
“You’re different. I don’t have to worry about making a good impression to you so I can become a member of your group. Also, my father hired you to watch over me. It’s not like anything romantic will ever happen between us.”
“All that aside, you do know how to talk, and you manage to hold yourself with grace. You might have the appearance of being a wallflower, but you’re not one once someone gets to know you.” Inspired, he continued, “Perhaps that is what threatens this person who seeks you harm.”
“I don’t see how I could be threatening to anyone for any reason.”
“There is always a reason someone feels threatened. One way or another, I’ll figure out who wants to harm you and why.”
“This is all pointless, but you’re just as determined as my father is so I can’t stop you.”
He was surprised she wasn’t more appreciative of his efforts. If someone was trying to protect him, he wouldn’t make that comment in such a dismissive manner.
The music came to an end. Mindful that others were watching, he gave her a smile and thanked for a wonderful dance. She, however, ignored him and headed straight to her father. Hiding his frustration, he retreated to the side of the room. This just might be one of the more difficult cases he had to tackle.
