Page 50 of A Bachelor’s Lessons in Love

“Yes, but that is your sister,” Lady Louisa said, annoyance in her tone. “She is your blood. The Colonel is not Miss Price’s father.”

“I am grateful to him,” Daphne said quickly. “I only wish he would⁠—”

“Loosen the reins?” A new voice entered the conversation, one Edward did not recognize. Male, smooth, filled with an easy sort of charm that immediately put him on edge. “There are ways around that, you know,” the stranger murmured. “One must simply learn how to be discreet.”

“You are not proposing Miss Price act deceitful,” Mr. Montague inquired, his tone cautious.

“Discretion and deceit are not the same, my dear boy.” This new man’s voice dripped with disdain. “And Miss Price strikes me as a clever young lady. Certainly, mature beyond her years. I am certain, should she wish it, she could find a way to pursue what she pleased without her guardian knowing.”

“I slip my leash all the time,” Lady Louisa said lightly with a laugh. “Come, Daphne. You must wish to seize more freedom for yourself. It is delightful to do as one pleases.”

Edward’s blood turned to ice.

Without another thought, he stepped through the hedge, emerging into the candlelit garden path before Daphne could answer.

The conversation halted instantly.

Daphne turned, eyes widening. “Colonel!”

“Daphne.” Edward’s gaze did not leave the unknown gentleman, his stance deceptively relaxed. “I do not believe we have met. I am Colonel Halstead. And you are?”

The man smiled, but it did not reach his eyes, and he did not incline his head. “Mr. Richard Arnold. My father is Lord Dalton. A pleasure, Colonel Halstead.”

Edward did not return the pleasantry. His voice was quiet, but no less dangerous for it. “I imagine we shall see about that.” He held his arm out to his ward. “Come, Daphne. Your aunt will be wondering where you have disappeared off to.”

His ward lowered her gaze as she accepted his escort, walking with him back through the garden along the most well-lit path. After a moment of silence, he said quietly, “Did your aunt give you permission to walk in the garden?”

Daphne shook her head slightly. “I—I was with Lady Louisa and Mr. Montague. Since you both know them, and it was only to take in a little fresh air, I did not think I needed to ask⁠—”

“No. You did not think.” Edward did not mince words. Escorting Daphne back into the ballroom, he maintained a composed facade but his jaw remained tight and his blood still pounded in his ears from that encounter. The gall of that man! To suggest Daphne deceive him; worse, that she had been allowed to wander into such a situation and such an acquaintance in the first place.

His gaze swept the room until he found Felicity, still near the edge of the dance floor, speaking with another woman he did not know.

Good. At least he did not have to search her out, even if she was not with Daphne as she ought to have been.

With a measured breath, he approached and spoke to his ward in a low voice. “Daphne Price, do not leave the ballroom again without speaking to either me or your aunt.”

Daphne swallowed, a blush staining her cheeks, clearly aware that an argument would be futile. “Yes, Colonel.”

He gestured to Miss Montague and Miss Norman near the refreshments. “Go to your friends. We will leave shortly.”

She lowered her head and nodded, releasing his arm to walk the short distance to the refreshment table.

Redirecting himself toward Felicity, Edward closed the space between himself and the woman with slow, deliberate steps. They were in public, it would not do to draw attention. The woman she spoke with stepped away before he obtained a place at her side, and Felicity looked up at him with a smile which instantly shifted to an expression of concern.

“What is it?”

He kept his voice low, his words meant for her alone. “Did you know Daphne was in the gardens?”

A flicker of something passed over her face. Did he imagine it was more guilt than surprise? It was gone in an instant, replaced by her usual calm expression. “No,” she admitted calmly. “But she was with Lady Louisa when last I looked. She was not out there alone, I take it?”

“No. But Lady Louisa’s company wasn’t all she kept.” His tone hardened, though he remained mindful of others conversing and moving about nearby. “Mr. Montague was there as well, and a Mr. Arnold. That particular fool was instructing her on how to sneak about without my knowledge, how to avoid our watch and do—do what she—tell me, Miss Price, do you also believe Daphne should learn how to deceive us? How to slip my watchful eye?”

Felicity’s lips parted slightly, and hurt flashed in her dark eyes. “Of course not,” she whispered as that chin lifted. “But I do not think you should speak to me in this manner. Not here.”

The firmness in her voice should not have surprised him, but it did. Even so, it did not temper his frustration. He exhaled sharply through his nose, his fingers flexing at his sides before he could curl them into fists. Fists he would greatly like to use on the Arnold boy.

“Then we will discuss it later,” he said, the words clipped. “But understand me, Miss Price. I will not have Daphne influenced by those who would encourage reckless, dangerous behavior.”