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“Fine, let us do that,” Jemima said, turning back to face Luke as he at last stepped properly into the room. “Let us discuss the fact that I asked Luke to leave Miss Storey alone, and what has happened since then? You made a point of approaching her at the event two nights ago and danced with her. What is more, there have been so many whispers about the two of you since then, that there is actually a suggestion of courtship.”
“Courtship?” Noah repeated in surprise and strummed one of the strings on the harp for effect. It was so low and deep that Luke flinched in surprise.
“There is no courtship,” Luke explained quickly, holding up his hands. “Please believe me, Jemima. I have done nothing to encourage such speculation. I spoke to her once, as I would greet any lady, and I danced with her once. It was hardly a declaration of affection, was it?”
“Neither is it a denial of one,” Noah’s murmured words made Luke glare in his direction.
“That was not helpful,” Luke said calmly. His words seemed to amuse Noah all the more.
“Luke, it does not matter that you have not done much.” Jemima strode toward him. “Do you not understand the way thetonworks by now? They latch onto anything they can to make a story of it.
They are fond of talking of you, are they not? Look at the scandal sheets for proof of it! The fact you have danced with a lady twice now, who is not the sort of lady you usually keep company with, is enough to raise eyebrows.Thatwas enough to cause the whispers, Luke.”
“Ah, I see.” Luke stiffened, realising Jemima was right. Had Miss Storey been a widow or older with an inattentive husband, it was his usual behaviour, therefore, dancing with her would have been unremarkable.
Yet Miss Storey is neither of those things. She is a young debutante, with a dowry, propriety, and intrigue.
“Luke, pray, listen to me,” Jemima said, stepping toward Luke. “I spoke to Miss Storey the other night. I think very highly of her.”
“I’d wager you are not the only sibling who does,” Noah called from the harp, where he strummed another string.
“Play the harp if you must and ignore this conversation,” Luke said quickly, neither denying nor confirming Noah’s suspicion. “Why do you like her, Jemima?”
“Because she spoke to me last night as if I was another person.” Jemima’s words were excited, her smile taking up its place quickly on her cheeks. It was a far cry from the false smile she had come to master. “I believe her to be a kind soul. She does not deserve to be dragged into any tale of suspicion and scandal with you, Luke.”
The words cut deeply. Luke lifted a hand and brushed his hair back from his forehead, feeling both guilt and disappointment.
Is that what my company does? Must I drag everyone down into the depths of depravity?
He had never thought so ill of himself. Yes, he may have been wayward in his youth, but he had his rules, and those rules didn’t seem to have been noticed.
“I would never want Miss Storey harmed by rumours,” he said softly, lifting his gaze back to his sister.
“Good, then for her sake, you must leave her alone. Do not dance with her, and even avoid speaking with her for a while. At least until the gossip has calmed down.”
“Yes, as you wish, Sister,” Luke said slowly, rather startled by the way a knot had tightened in his gut. He glanced at Noah, who seemed to be staring at him most intently, with one lifted eyebrow. “I will stay away from Miss Storey.”
