‘And attract even more attention? No, I thank you!’
‘Then we shall take a stroll about the room.’ He placed her hand on his arm. ‘I shall keep you company until your aunt is free.’
‘I wish you would not,’ she said, unable to hide the note of desperation in her tone.
‘Very well, if you prefer, I shall take you in to supper.’
She gave a little sigh of exasperation. ‘I cannot think it is safe for you to be here at all.’
‘Miss Duncombe, after so many years, do you think anyone will—’
‘Hush,’ she hissed at him. ‘Our host is bearing down upon us.’
‘Ah, Mr Peregrine! Forgive my not being at the door to greet you.’ Lord Hathersedge bowed and introduced himself. Almost without pausing he said, beaming at them both, ‘So you have met Miss Duncombe? Capital! Perhaps you are acquainted with her aunt, too? Mrs Graham is one of our most generous supporters.’
‘I do indeed know her, my lord.’ Wolf inclined his head, wondering if the twenty guineas in his pocket would be enough to make the fellow go away. He wanted to talk to Grace. She was the reason he had come here this evening. He wanted to see her in her finery. And by heaven she did look fine, her blonde hair sprinkled with tiny pearls and an apricot silk gown that somehow gave her clear skin a golden sheen, as if she had been kissed by the sun. She took his breath away.
‘My lady tells me you are new in town, sir.’ Their host had planted himself before them, barring their way. Wolf could see he was determined to say his piece before he allowed them to escape. ‘Perhaps you are not familiar with the sterling work of the Foundling Hospital.’
‘Oh, I am aware of it, my lord. My family have been great contributors over the years.’
Wolf heard Grace’s sudden intake of breath, felt her fingers pinch his arm. He wanted to be alone with her, to dance or drink wine. Perhaps he might even feed her peaches and cream and make her blush by telling her they could not bear comparison to her lovely complexion.
He said, ‘Believe me, my lord, first thing in the morning I shall instruct my bankers to send a hundred guineas to you.’
‘A hundred guineas!’
Wolf waved a languid hand. ‘Is that not enough? Let it be two hundred then. I feel sure you can put it to good use.’
* * *
I must be dreaming,thought Grace.
This was not how people in her world behaved. She wanted to laugh out loud at Wolf’s cool assurance. Lord Hathersedge was staring at him, goggle-eyed, and Wolf put out his hand to gently move him to one side, murmuring apologetically that he wanted to take his partner in to supper. They had moved only a step when Grace noticed that their way was blocked again, this time by a gentleman in a blue coat and his fair-haired lady coming out of the supper room. What held Grace’s attention was their height. The gentleman was easily as tall as she was, the lady a little less, but they made a strikingly handsome pair and there was something familiar about the gentleman, the way he walked, the world-weary look about his eyes. The man stopped, a look of shock upon his face. At the same time she heard Wolf bite off a muttered exclamation.
To Grace everything was frozen, like a tableau. Wolf and the man were staring at one another while Lord Hathersedge stood beside them, a look of bemusement on his ruddy countenance. Then the gentleman in the blue coat put out his hand.
‘By heaven! Wol—’
Immediately Grace gave a little cry and lurched against Lord Hathersedge.
‘Oh, do forgive me, I feel a little faint.’
‘What? Oh, oh, my heavens!’ He patted Grace awkwardly on the shoulder as Wolf quickly put his arm about her and pulled her back against him, holding her close.
Grace sagged against his arm and gave a little moan. ‘Mr Peregrine, perhaps you could take me somewhere a little quieter...’
The fair-haired lady sprang forward, as if released from a spell.
‘Yes, yes, sir, let us do that. Lord Hathersedge, is there not a room where we may be quite private?’ She directed a look towards her host, who started, frowned, then nodded.
‘Yes, yes, of course. That door over there, madam, you will find it leads to a sitting room. It should be quite empty.’
‘Excellent.’ The lady moved beside Grace. ‘We will take her there immediately. Richard, my love, you will fetch a little wine, if you please, and bring it to us. Richard?’
From beneath her lashes Grace could see that the man was staring open-mouthed at Wolf. A little push from his lady made him start and he lounged away. Grace directed a wan smile at Lord Hathersedge.
‘I beg your pardon for being such a nuisance, my lord, but you can see I am in good hands now. You may safely leave me and return to your other guests. I know you have much to do.’
