Page 33 of Almost a Countess

“What?” Tristan’s facedrained of blood. “What are you talking about?” He turned to hiswife, looking guilty. “I never did more than kiss her, mydear.”

Violet shook her head. “Of all people,I’m sure you did nothing improper with Dora, Tris.” She dropped hervoice to an amused whisper. “You were too busy being improper withme.”

“Lord Aberfoyle has noteven kissed me, yet you accuse him of ruining me.” She had to makehim see that Finn had done no more wrong than Tris. “Our brokenengagement is what ruined me, Tris. All society believes weanticipated our wedding night, even though we did not. I must livewith that stigma every day, not you.”

“But you said he spent thenight in your house.” His outrage had begun to reassert itself.“Let society learn of that, and you won’t be received in any decenthouse in London.”

“Who will they learn itfrom, Tris? You? Violet?” She nodded to her friend, who simplyshook her head. “We are well isolated here in the north. My fatherhas made certain I have no contact with Polite Society, so no onewill know unless one of us tells them.”

At last, Violet fixed her husband witha firm look. “No one will tell anyone about anything, my dear.Least of all Tristan or myself.” Her gaze sharpened. “You willrefrain from terrorizing Dora, my dear. Also from suggesting youwill engage in another duel.” Putting a hand on her belly, Violetscowled at her husband. “You will not put yourself in such dangeragain. And neither should you distress me in thismanner.”

“Violet, my love. I begyour pardon.” He squeezed his wife’s hand then turned back to Dora.“If I cannot call him out, I should be allowed to make him marryyou. If he is, as you say, a gentleman and a peer, he will at theleast be considered an eligible suitor.”

“I will not have himforced him to marry me because he happened to spend the night undermy roof, locked in his room.” Of course, that had only been true ofthe first night, however, Tris didn’t need to know that.

“You locked his bedroomdoor?” Violet nodded approvingly. “Well done, my dear.”

“It was Larkin’s idea.”Thank God for her maid. “And I agreed. Lord Aberfoyle also had asprained ankle that incapacitated him, if that makes it easier tostomach.”

“Not really,” Tris drainedhis glass, “but having your maid lock the door keeps me fromwishing to see his blood spilled. Still, it would be better if youmarried.”

“That is not your decisionto make.” That must truly gall the man. Each time she stated it,his jaw seemed to clench tighter. “In my father’s absence, I ammistress of the house and have a say in my own destiny. If you wishto write to my father about the situation and request to be made myguardian, you are perfectly welcome to do so. Until then, I say whoI will and will not marry…although I believe I’d be better off withLord Aberfoyle as my husband than with most other men.”

“Do you have a particularregard for him, Dora?” Excitement in her voice, Violet took herhand once more.

“She’s only known the manfor two days, Violet. How can she know if she does or does not?”Tris dismissed her question with a bark of laughter.

“I seem to recall youtelling me that you fell in love with me the first night we met, mydear.” Her wide smile indicated Violet was not above making herhusband squirm. “Are you saying that cannot happen to anyone elsein the world?”

Unwilling to discuss that particularquestion with Tristan in the room, Dora shook her head. “I merelythink he is an honorable gentleman who, should we have time todeepen our acquaintance, might prove as likely a match as any otherI have considered.” And she’d considered no one else exceptTris.

“Well, it is unlikely youwill have the opportunity to ‘deepen your acquaintance’ with thisAberfoyle. Now that Scarlet and his men have left the county, theScotsman can be sent on his merry way as well.” A look of reliefcame over Tris’s face.

“Actually, I’ve suggestedthat Lord Aberfoyle remain at Bromley until his ankle is completelyhealed.”

“What?” Tris came up outof the chair as though on a spring.

“He attempted to rideyesterday and reinjured his leg. He doubts he can ride for somedays. So I offered to let him stay until he is able to join hisuncle in London and get the mess regarding Lieutenant Scarletresolved.”

“Dora, you cannot resideunder the same roof as an unmarried man without a chaperone andremain unmarried.” At least Tris was trying to show some restraintthis time. “You must come stay with us until this Aberfoyle hasmended.”

“Leave him alone in myhouse with no hostess? Leave the staff with a guest and no mistressto manage the household? Come, Tris, you know that can never work.”Yet his argument was reasonable. She might flout convention for anight or two, but if Finn required a stay of five or six more days,not even the staff would see that as respectable.

“What will work is for meto repair to Bromley with you and act as your chaperone, my dear.”Violet sent a quick, silencing look to Tris. “Nothing could besimpler. Susan has not quite unpacked all my things. We can managewith one small trunk, I think. Lord Aberfoyle will likely be ableto leave in a day or two.”

“No, my ladies, that willnot work.” Tris stood and addressed them, his voice strained.“First, I will not allow my wife, who is carrying my child, toreside in the same house as this ‘gentleman’ of whom almost nothingis known other than that he is a fugitive from the law. No,” hestared hard at Violet until she dropped her gaze, “in order forthis to be arranged to everyone’s satisfaction, both Violet and Iwill stay with you.” At last, Tris’s usual devilish smile broke outon his lips. “I believe this house party will be quiteilluminating, don’t you, Dora?”

Chapter 14

With more than a little trepidation,Dora led Violet and Tris through the front door of BromleyManor.

Hanson’s brows rose significantly, butotherwise he greeted her guests and took their things.

“Please tell Mrs. Carlylewe have guests for the next few nights. Have her and Annie preparethe Rose room for them. You can arrange for their things to betaken there as soon as possible, can you not, Hanson?”

“Of course, Miss Harper.”The butler bowed. “I’ll get James and inform both the housekeeperand cook about the new guests.”

“Thank you, Hanson.Violet, Tris, let’s wait in the upstairs parlor while your room isbeing readied.” She quirked an eyebrow at them. “I beg your pardon.I assumed you wished to share a room, however if I have presumedtoo much, I can have another room readied for you.”