“At least stay long enough to permit an introduction, else how will you ever speak to her publicly?”
Having forced the lady to converse on an intimate level while they brushed knees in a hackney cab, he would have found a way.
His mother rang for Jenkins and informed the butler to usher Miss Kendall into the drawing room as soon as she knocked on the door. The dull thud of the brass knocker hitting the plate echoed through the hall. The sweet timbre of her voice reached Valentine’s ears. The clip of her boots on the tiled floor sent his heart thudding against his ribs.
Damnation—this was downright ridiculous.
Following Jenkins’ introduction, Miss Kendall stepped into the room, wearing the knowing smile that gave a man no clue what she was thinking. Her composure faltered for a second when her gaze swept over him. Excellent.
“Honora, please forgive the intrusion.” Miss Kendall stepped forward with outstretched hands, and his mother stood and gripped them affectionately. One might call the matron a hypocrite. Who embraces a suspected thief? But Honora Valentine condemned no one until proven guilty.
“An apology is unnecessary, my dear.” Honora wore a beaming smile as she gestured to Valentine. “You have heard me speak about my son. Allow me to present Lord Valentine. He has recently returned from a lengthy visit overseas.” The last sentence bore a hint of disapproval regarding his absence.
Valentine inclined his head, and Miss Kendall offered her hand. For the second time in a matter of hours, he captured her fingers and pressed his lips to her glove.
“Ah, my lord. I did not expect our paths to cross again quite so soon.” Brown eyes, as dark and delicious as liquid chocolate, glowed with amusement.
Honora frowned as her gaze moved back and forth between them. “What? You know Miss Kendall?”
“We met briefly this morning.” Even when Valentine released his grip of Miss Kendall’s hand, his fingers still tingled. “In the park.”
He despised lies and untruths.
On the rare occasion, they were necessary.
“In the park?” His mother looked bemused.
The corners of Miss Kendall’s lips twitched. Surely the minx was not about to confess they had met on the duelling field.
“Lord Valentine kindly warned me how unsafe it is for a woman out alone at dawn.” The lady offered his mother a reassuring smile. “I informed him I carried a pistol and would shoot any scoundrel who dared to overstep the mark.”
His mother chuckled. “Miss Kendall is an expert shot. Hamilton taught her when she was but a girl. A man would not want to rouse her ire on a cold autumn morning.”
“No.” Valentine groaned inwardly. “I am aware of her skill with a pistol. Indeed, when I noted her butler loading luggage into a hackney, I feared she may have accidentally shot a vagrant and had consequently booked passage on the next ship to sail from Dover.”
Miss Kendall raised her chin. “You should not jump to conclusions, my lord, else one might mistake you for a gossip. Let me put your mind at ease. My brother has been staying with me temporarily and has now moved on.”
Curiosity forced him to ignore her teasing. A host of questions burned in Valentine’s mind. Had her brother lashed out in rage? Had she grown tired of the pup’s foolish antics?
“Do I look like a man who thrives on tittle-tattle, Miss Kendall?”
Their gazes locked. Sparks flew. The air thrummed with excitable energy.
Valentine felt the heat of his mother’s stare and decided he had already revealed too much.
“Well, I shall leave you to your business.” Valentine offered a graceful bow.
“Oh, wait,” his mother said. “Did you not tell me that your friend Mr Drake wishes to hire Mr Cassiel for a dinner party?” She turned to Miss Kendall. “Do you happen to have the man’s card to hand, my dear?”
Miss Kendall stiffened. A look akin to panic flashed in her eyes. After a brief pause, she cleared her throat. “No. I’m afraid I do not. Mr Cassiel works on recommendation only.”
Valentine observed her odd reaction. “Then you know how to contact him?”
She pursed her quivering lips. “I—I can enquire on your behalf.” A faint blush stained her cheeks. “The nature of his business means that he must be cautious when selecting clients. Persecuting those with unconventional ideologies is a pastime for some.”
Valentine supposed it was a plausible explanation. “Please reassure him that my interest is genuine. That I fall into the category of the spiritually curious.”
“Really? You strike me as the logical sort.” Miss Kendall narrowed her gaze. “Mr Cassiel will wish for a private meeting before agreeing to provide a service for your friend.”