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“I think we should rectify that, for the good of our friendship, of course. Thingsshouldbe fair, don’t youagree?”
He coughed slightly as though to compose himself and then his eyes narrowed on her. “Are you playing some sortofgame?”
Game? Blast it! She wasn’t any good at this at all. He’d always said such scandalous things to her. She’d thought that was how she should respond. But, apparently, she’d been wrong if the frown on his face was any indication. She didn’t want to look at that frown, so her gaze dropped to his cravat. “If you’re notinterested—”
“For the love of God, Caroline, I’minterested.” He tipped her chin back up with his hand. “I think I’ve been more than clear about that for quite some time, but…Well, do you want to leave right now? I can be ten minutesbehindyou.”
Thank heavens she hadn’t made a complete fool out of herself. Caroline took a steadying sigh. “Well, I can’t leave yet, Marc. I’m in the middle of somethingrightnow.”
He nodded most eagerly. “Yes, in the middle of driving me todistraction.”
No, in the middle of dealing with Lord Peasemore, but she wasn’t at liberty to discuss that situationopenly.
“Do you think you can say something like that and then expect me to behave like a proper gentleman the rest of the night?” He shook his head as though the idea wasabsurd.
Caroline hadn’t thought of it like that. And she supposed Juliet and Felicitycouldhandle Peasemore on their own, at least for now. “But we haven’t even had our waltz,” sheteased.
“My dear, I will waltz with you across your bedchamber to your heart’s content. With clothes or without. Entirely yourchoice.”
Heavens! Was she really about to do this? Yes, she definitely was. Caroline nodded quickly. “Ten minutes behind me?” That would give her enough time to get things settled and prepare herself to receive him in her set ofrooms.
“I’ll come in through the servant’s entrance,” he whispered, but then he frowned abruptly. “But look angry with me now. Like we’ve quarreled about something. That should keep anyone from speculating about our suddenabsences.”
Look angry with him? She had years of practice of doing that. Caroline stepped away from Marc and scowled as though he’d just been offensive, which should be easy enough for anyone to believe. “And I will thank you to keep your distance, my lord,” she said loudly enough for those around them to hear. Then she tossed her head back regally and started directly fortheexit.
* * *
She was good.Better than some trained actresses. Marc watched her go, the swish of her scarlet skirts, and he didn’t even try to hide the groan that escaped him. Damn it all, he had no idea what had come over her, what would entice her to make such an offer this evening, but he wasn’t about to let the opportunity pass him by. If he did, he might never get the chanceagain.
But now people were looking at him, so he schooled his features to an expression of sheer boredom and sighed as he pulled out his pocket watch. Nine minutes and counting. They were sure to be the longest nine minutes and twenty-seven seconds ofhislife.
Luke made a direct path for Marc, his brow furrowed in concern. “What did you do now?” his friendasked.
“I’m not even sure.” Marc released abeleagueredsigh.
“Well, you clearly didsomething.”
Luke’s reaction was perfect. No one would think a thing about his exit now, and not even her own family would suspect that he was on his way to Caroline’s bedchamber. “On my honor, Beckford, I complimented her dress.” Marc shook his head in feigned annoyance. “One day I think perhaps there’s something between us… and then the next…” He sighed again. “I’m not sure if the two of us will ever be of the same mind. Excuse me,willyou?”
And then he started for the exit. He was less than ten minutes behind Caroline, but there was no reason to stand around the Clayworth’s ballroom now. Besides, it wouldn’t do for him to take his carriage anyway. Best to walk from Hertford Street to Curzon, keeping to the shadows. He’d be less conspicuousthatway.
“Ah, Haversham,” Brendan Reese, the Earl of Clayworth stepped in Marc’s path. “I hadn’t realized you were here thisevening.”
Marc actually liked Clayworth, despite the man’s decency. But he wasn’t going to allow the earl to delay him even for a moment. After all, Marc had waited—rather impatiently—for entirely too long to make love to Caroline, and Clayworth was in his immediate path. “Yes, but I’m afraid I’m not in a social mood, after all,” he said curtly. “Please pass on my felicitations to your wife.” And then he navigated around the earl and started immediately fromballroom.
Marc made his way down the corridor, around a myriad of other guests, but he didn’t stop to speak to any of them. He breezed out the front door and down the stoop, hoping no one noticed the particular spring in his step,until…
Damn it all. Of all the obnoxious, irritating gnats in the world. Bloody Blackaby, on the opposite side of the street, tipped his cap in Marc’s direction. That damned, idioticRunner.
Sticking to the shadows all the way to Staveley House wasn’t going to work with that blasted detective on his tail. He’d have to hail a hack, give the Runner the slip and double back. With any luck, he’d be exactly ten minutes behind Caroline. If he was even a minute longer than that, he was going to strangle Blackaby with his ownhands.
Chapter12
Caroline might very well have losther mind, but she couldn’t be bothered to contemplate that. She had too many other thoughts. Should she change into her nightrail before Marc arrived? Or should she let him unbutton her out of her dress as he’d suggested? She thought she might prefer the latter, especially after he’d put that thought inhermind.
Her coach stopped in front of Staveley House and she bounded up the steps and directly into her home. She grinned like a fool at Simmons as he shut the door behind her. “Please make certain the servants’ entrance is unlocked,Simmons.”
“Unlocked, milady?” Her borrowed butler frownedather.
