Honoria frosted the duke with an icy glare.
A grin appeared on Charlotte’s face. “Well. That settles it. You’re hiding something.” Moments passed in silence as Charlotte clearly pondered the matter.
Then, her brows drew down into a pronounced V. Her gaze darted between Honoria and Burwood. “No!” The word flew from Charlotte in a rush of incredulity. “The two of you?”
“No!” both Honoria and Burwood answered.
“Not that she isn’t—” Burwood sputtered.
“Although I like him very much,” Honoria interjected.
Charlotte slumped back in her chair. And Charlotteneverslumped. “Well, that’s a relief.”
Burwood straightened, lifting his chin and appearing every inch the affronted duke. “I beg your pardon?”
“I’m sure Lady Charlotte didn’t mean any offense, Your Grace.”
Charlotte rolled her eyes and snorted. As snorts went, it was actually quite dainty. “I’m relieved for my friend. She deserves better than the likes of you.”
Burwood opened his mouth, no doubt to protest his worthiness, when the footman returned with the scandal sheet.
Charlotte’s gaze darted across the paper. “Well, they are correct on one account.” She cleared her throat dramatically. “It would appear that Lady Charlotte Talbot is not impressed with His Grace, the new Duke of Burwood. Our sources say they have exchanged heated words throughout the course of the house party.”
Burwood snatched the paper from Charlotte’s hands, and her eyes widened.
“How dare you!”
“I want to see that thing.” Like Charlotte, he scanned the gossip rag, his normally congenial face growing cloudy. “How the hell do they know these things?”
Charlotte bristled. “Language, sir!”
Honoria stifled a chuckle. Knowing Charlotte’s brother Lord Nash as Honoria did, she suspected Charlotte had heard much worse over the course of her lifetime. “We suspect the source of the material is in attendance here, Your Grace.”
“We?” Regardless of Charlotte’s opinion, Burwood was clearly sharp-witted.
Glancing toward Charlotte, Honoria tilted her head in silent question. With another eyeroll, Charlotte sighed. “Very well. Tell him.”
“Lady Charlotte and I, along with several others, have formed a group dedicated to unmasking the perpetrator of these vicious attacks. We would appreciate your discretion in the matter. Although weoperate under the guise of a charitable foundation, we prefer to remain incognito.”
The appalling publication slipped from Burwood’s fingers as he stared, first at her, then Charlotte. “Like spies?”
Charlotte stared back, her own glare challenging. “You find that inconceivable, sir? Perhaps because we are women?”
“I find it . . . marvelous.” He leaned in. “How can I assist?”
Charlotte snapped up the gossip rag. “By staying out of it and keeping your mouth shut.” She pushed away from the table, the chair screeching in protest, and stomped from the room.
Oh!Honoria jerked her gaze back to the duke, who seemed transfixed by Charlotte’s hasty exit.Oooooh.
Honoria’s father entered the room, his head craning back toward the hall. The frown on his face disappeared the moment he saw Honoria and Burwood at the table together. “Ah. Good morning, Burwood. Honoria. Fabulous fête last night, sir. A night to remember, surely.”
Heat returned to Honoria’s cheeks, and she ducked her head. Unfortunately, not quickly enough.
Her father swung his gaze between her and Burwood.
“Thank you, Stratford.” Burwood saved her, his attention remaining exclusively on her father. “I was hoping to catch you early this morning. After you refresh yourself with some breakfast, I would like a word in private.”
What?
