Oh, the man was insufferable. He was turning this investigation into a—well she had no idea what, but certainly not what they were here for. “Not at all. I assure you.”
He smirked.
She stabbed his foot with the point of her parasol.
He grimaced.
They continued their stroll.
4
The garden party unearthed no clues, since the Ambassador did not appear, although Lydia had told him she’d been assured he would attend. After a very stress-filled afternoon, with ladies attempting to shift his attention from Lydia to them, and the steam coming from Lydia’s ears, Dante was more than ready to give up this foray into Polite Society and return to the sanity of his club.
Attempting to look disinterested, Lydia kept her eyes on her lap, smoothing her skirts as the carriage rode away from the Benson townhouse. “Do you always get such an overwhelming reception when you attend these affairs?”
Dante laughed. “I do not attend these affairs. I believe I told you before, I avoid them at all costs.”
She looked up at him, more with amazement than anger. “You never attend ton events?”
“No. I find them a waste of my time.”
“Yet, every woman in that garden party knew you.” She raised her chin. “And I dare say more than a few knew you in the Biblical sense, as well.”
Dante didn’t know whether to laugh or blush. Something he never did. “I don’t know what you think of me, but I must tell you my real life doesn’t measure up to my reputation. You forget I own and run a business. I don’t have as much time for philandering as most people think.”
She looked sideways at him and smirked. “Lady Benson is married.”
“Yes, that is true. To Lord Benson. For about two years now, I believe.”
“Why did she seem so friendly with you?”
Dante leaned back, both amazed and amused at how upset Miss Sanford seemed to be with him. “Yes. She and I enjoyed a short relationship.”
Miss Sanford huffed. “And what did her husband think of that?”
He shrugged. “Nothing, since she was not married then. She was a respectable widow at the time and lonely.” He leaned forward and looked her in the eye. “I do not dally with married women. Despite what you and most likely everyone else thinks, I think marriage vows are just that—vows. Not to be broken.”
She narrowed her eyes, a look of disbelief on her lovely face. “Are you saying if you took a wife, you would be faithful?”
“Of course.” He leaned back again, resting his foot on his other knee. “Which situation would never exist since I will never take a wife.”
Miss Sanford turned her attention to the busyness on the outside pavement as the carriage moved through traffic. “I understand, since I feel the same way.”
“You would not take a wife, either? How interesting.”
Her mood switched from somber to laughter. “You know what I mean.” She shifted in her seat, getting more comfortable. “As much as you might think marriage is not for you, can yo
u imagine being a woman and knowing that you would be ‘owned’ by your husband? You cannot sign legal papers, open a bank account, start a business, or even decide where you want to live without your husband’s permission.”
“I must admit I never thought of that, but you are correct. Which is why if I ever had a sister or daughter in my care, I would make quite sure the man she married was an honorable man who would not treat her like a possession.”
Miss Sanford’s mouth dropped. “How very forward-thinking of you, Mr.
Rose. I must admit I am impressed with our conversation so far.”
“You sound amazed that I am not the monster you thought I was.”
She shook her head. “I didn’t think you a monster, but based on what I’ve heard, you are a rogue who broke women’s hearts.”