“Your capacity to shock me never abates, my dear,” he said, blinking. “I really can’t tell whether you’re funning half the time.” Two furrows appeared between his brows. “You know I’d do anything for you, but in this instance, I think I must save you from your own impulsiveness.”
“Then when do you suggest?” She glanced across at the three men. “I am a prisoner of my husband’s desires. I wasn’t funning before. I was speculating. You only have to ask your brother to know that my husband is up to his neck in nefarious activities. What happens if he’s apprehended and attained? Why, his estate and whatever else he owns would be forfeited to the Crown, and his children could never inherit.”
“Why, then I should come to your rescue.”
“Why not now?”
“Because I would not ruin you.” His look became more serious. “I am devoted to ensuring your happiness, and that means ensuring your reputation is not harmed by any possibly rash and impulsive acts on your part.”
Araminta gripped his wrist briefly. “Meet me in secret somewhere after this, Teddy. Well, perhaps not tonight because Debenham is here, but tomorrow. Please say you’ll do that?”
“Alone?”
“Well, I wasn’t suggesting you invite your brother for a midnight picnic. Of course, alone. You’ve never come to me alone though you’ve suggested often enough you want to.” Just the thought made her pulse beat faster.
He swallowed, clearly liking the idea though nervous to say so aloud. “I want to help you, Araminta. But getting you the letter solves nothing.”
“No, and I understand it’s not enough to help make a case against him, which is good.” Araminta lowered her voice. “I need to protect Debenham if I’m to protect myself. Darling Teddy, if you really want to help me, I need you to find out from your brother exactly what information is held against Debenham, and what they might be following up. Please, will you do that for me? Find out?”
Chapter 20
Lissa was determined not to ask Lucinda about the source of her deep sighs as she brushed out the long locks of her wayward charge. Clearly, the girl was dying to be quizzed, but Lissa was not going to give her the satisfaction.
“Did you enjoy your evening last night?” There, that was as far as she’d go. “Were there any young men who caught your fancy?”
“Lady Julia is dying to marry me off so she can enjoy Lord Beecham’s exclusive company. She detests me, have you noticed?”
Lissa had noticed, but she said only, “Lady Julia thinks of little other than herself.”
“Exactly, which is why I must be removed. But I’m not going without having my revenge.”
“That’s rather extreme,” Lissa murmured. “Surely making a match that suits you would suffice? You need to find a husband, so if you can do so this season and please your heart, there’s no need for revenge.”
Lucinda sniffed. “Those excellent pictures you draw, Miss Hazlett. How fast do you sketch?”
Oh, lord. Lissa hadn’t expected that. “I don’t sketch very often, Miss Lucinda,” she demurred.
“Would you, though? If I could get you something you wanted? Like a few hours to spend with your young man without anyone knowing?”
Lissa stared into the girl’s speculative green eyes which immediately danced with delight at supposedly having uncovered Lissa’s secret.
“You think I don’t notice anyone else around me? I saw the way you looked at that young man and then pretended you didn’t care when he asked me to dance.”
Lissa hadn’t realized she was shaking her head so vehemently, but Lucinda just laughed again. “Really, it’s nothing to do with me, so there’s no need to look so afraid. I won’t tell Lady Julia if that’s what you’re worried about because I know you’re not allowed followers, though of course, you’d know you can’t marry a man like that in your situation. And I’m sorry for it, truly I am.”
She didn’t look particularly sorry, but then she also didn’t look as if she was vengefully motivated. She went on, “So now that I’ve proved I’m rather good at noticing things you’d not expect me to notice, I thought you might consider obliging me with a little game I’m playing that regards Lady Julia and Lord Debenham.”
“Lord Debenham? What has he to do with any of this?” Lissa hoped her voice didn’t sound as strangled as she feared it did.
“Well, that’s the thing. I really don’t know.” Lucinda frowned. “It’s just that I saw him address Lady Julia while they were both in the ballroom in a casual fashion which is nothing to take note of. Only then she looked furious, then afraid, and then she handed him a small package which he put in his pocket before she flounced off. So I wondered what—”
“She handed him a package? How big?” Lissa’s mind was buzzing. Money? Jewelry? So Lady Julia was being blackmailed! Here was something at last that she could pass on to Ralph. There were others, but Ralph was becoming increasingly frustrated at not knowing names. Finally, Lissa could tell him about Lady Julia.
“It could have contained bank notes, or it could have contained her diamond earrings,” said Lucinda as if she’d been reading her mind. “I’d happily see her hand over every single thing of value she had, but really, I suppose what’s more important is why she’s afraid of Lord Debenham. I h
eard her whispering to Lord Beecham the other day, and Lord Debenham’s name came up. Neither of them like him. In fact, I think they’re both afraid of him. I would be too, for that matter. He looks like the devil. I can’t imagine why that Lady Debenham wanted to marry him in the first place, except that of course he’s very rich and has a title.”
Lissa let her prattle on while she assimilated this information.