Page 47 of Redemption of a Marquess

Jeanine seriously pondered escape. Surely, in these wee hours of the morning, Grey could not fault her for going to bed. Thankfully, some guests had left, but two-thirds remained. One might think they vied for the right to boast that they were the last to leave the Marquess of Northington’s party.

“I was hoping to have a moment alone with you.”

Jeanine turned at the sound of Lord Gordon’s voice.

“You are looking well,” he said. “How clever of you to keep up such a brave face.”

If ever there was a reason to escape, Lord Gordon provided that reason.

He smiled down at her. “Soon, this will all be over, and I will have you safely out of his reach.”

She must be very tired. The man was speaking gibberish. “What will be over?”

He gave her a pitying look. “You are such a sweet innocent.” He cupped her elbow and urged her back toward the wall, away from a cluster of nearby ladies. “You may put your faith in me,” he whispered. “I have set a plan into motion that will cast him out of Society for good.”

Her mind snapped to attention. “I beg your pardon?”

“This is not the first time I have saved an innocent from his clutches,” he went on.

Her heart began to pound. “What do you mean?”

He hesitated, though she sensed his hesitation was intended to achieve dramatic effect. It took all her willpower not to seize his shoulders and shake the words from him.

“Of course, you wouldn’t have heard,” he said. “You were not yet born when The Morning Star cast his spell upon the first of his notable victims. Since then, he has made a career of ruining innocents like yourself.”

A righteous fervor lit his eyes, and Jeanine refrained from shrinking away.

“At least I was able to save that young woman from a life of ruin.” He gave a bitter laugh. “He actually told the poor girl that he wanted to marry her. Can you imagine? The Morning Star in love?”

“What did you do?” Jeanine whispered.

The light in his eyes vanished and he blinked as if startled by her presence. “I have frightened you.” He grasped her hand and squeezed. “Forgive me. Let us not speak of this again. Rest easy that he shall not have you.” He released her hand and started to turn away, then hesitated as if caught in some terrible inner battle. He looked at her. “I will save you. I only pray that when all is revealed, you will understand why I had to take such drastic measures.”

“What drastic measures?” she demanded, but he hurried past the group of ladies.

Jeanine froze for an instant, heart pounding, then started after him. She had to know what he intended. She skirted the ladies, then passed another, smaller group of younger ladies and slowed. He was nowhere in sight.

“Look, she’s even chasing after him,” a woman whispered behind her.

Jeanine slowed.

“I have it on good authority that she and the marquess were caught together in his library with her kneeling between his legs.”

Titters went up.

“That is scandalous, even for the marquess,” said another girl.

Jeanine started to face them, then caught herself. She could not make a scene in the ballroom. Grey had been very specific in saying she was not to disgrace him.

Her heart twisted. She could think of only one way to ensure she didn’t disgrace him.

Chapter Eleven

Valan entered the breakfast room the following morning to find Jeanine staring at her ham and eggs.

She looked up. “Good morning, sir.”

Valan lifted a brow as he took his place at the head of the table. “Sir? I have never known you to be so formal at home.” He picked up the pot of coffee and filled his cup. “Are you ill?”