Page 48 of Redemption of a Marquess

Jeanine frowned. “What? Oh, nae. I just—” She hesitated. “I suppose I am still in the mindset of last night’s party, surrounded by so many strangers.”

Valan forked a slice of ham from the platter and spooned eggs onto his plate. “Did you enjoy the party?”

She nodded. “Of course. It was very gay, was it not?”

“I suppose it was,” he said. “But you don’t sound enthused.”

She smiled, though the smile didn’t reach her eyes. “I am just a little tired. It was a great deal of excitement.”

“That it was,” he agreed. “What plans have you for today?” He took a sip of coffee, then nodded toward the tray of invitations sitting near the edge of the table between them. “It looks as though you and Miss Stone have become much sought after.”

Her eyes snapped onto the tray and her expression darkened. “We were invited to a card party. By Lady Bethany. Today.”

Valan buttered a triangle of toast. “I assume you will attend?”

“Yes, I would like to attend very much—with Miss Stone, of course.”

Valan angled his head in agreement. “Of course. It would be quite rude to leave Miss Stone at home while you attended a party.”

Relief flooded her expression. “That is exactly what I thought.”

“Is Miss Stone amenable to going?”

“She wasn’t, at first. I told her it was only fair that she go with me. You said it would be rude to leave her home,” Jeanine added. “But that is the same thing, don’t you agree?”

“I agree wholeheartedly,” he said. “Miss Stone must surely accompany you.” He would give five hundred pounds to see Lady Bethany’s face when Jeanine arrived with Miss Stone.

Jeanine gave him a real smile. “I am so glad you agree. Now, Miss Stone cannot refuse to go with me.”

“Do you think she would have refused?”

She nodded, then quickly added, “But not because she is stubborn, you understand. She is very aware of propriety—too much so, if you ask me—and she did not want to attend a party where she might be intruding.”

“Miss Stone could never intrude,” he said, and sipped more coffee.

“That’s exactly what I told her. Anyone who thinks differently, well, they deserve what they get.”

Valan cut his ham. “What might they get?”

Her gaze sharpened. “I don’t know, exactly. But I’m sure it would be unpleasant.”

“Just remember, my dear, that the unpleasantness that happens to people who deserve those things, should be dished out by unpleasant people. Not young ladies.”

Her eyes widened in surprise, then a twinkle animated the blue orbs, and he was oddly relieved. “Must you take the fun out of everything, Grey?”

He should have been insulted. Instead, he experienced relief that she called him by name. “Forgive me, my dear, but I feel I must. If only to keep my own neck out of the noose.”

The twinkle abruptly vanished and her expression clouded over. “You are right, of course.” She returned her attention to her food and seemed to consider, then said, “I believe I have changed my mind, I do no’ want to attend the card party.”

“Really?” he said. “Only a moment ago, you were excited at the prospect. What has changed in so short a time?” He forked eggs into his mouth and chewed.

She stabbed a bit of ham, moved it to the opposite side of her plate, and used a knife to free it from the tines. “Playing cards is a bore, don’t you think?”

“I didn’t think so when you won at commerce two weeks ago.”

“That is very different. Playing cards, gambling with gentlemen, is far more interesting than playing piquet with ladies who don’t truly understand the game.”

He would have trouble arguing with that logic. “Perhaps, but there will be a luncheon, maybe a walk in the garden, and even gossip. You cannot tell me that you do not like gossip.”