Everyone except Cromby who didn’t seem to notice or care. His gaze fell on Harriet. “Ah, Lady Leeds. Always a vision.”
A bitter taste filled Will’s mouth, and he cut off Cromby’s line of sight with a shift of his body. “What do you want, Cromby?”
The man’s face turned red at the blunt question.
A soft hand clamped his elbow as his wife stepped up beside him and directed a haughty look Cromby’s way. “Lord Cromby, I was not aware you were acquainted with my husband.”
Will hid a smile.
Ah yes. His wife was no coward.
Cromby’s face went from red to vermillion. “We–”
“Aren’t friends,” Will said firmly, turning his gaze toward his wife. He had backed off in White’s because that would have ended in fisticuffs. Blood. What he’d done in White’s had been mostly for himself, partly for his wife. What he did here, he did for Harriet alone. “However, London is small, and you cannot help but run into all sorts of people.”
She nodded seriously. “I have found that to be the case, too. It cannot be helped. There is always a jackal or two amongst a flock of sheep.”
Will turned his back on Cromby, uncaring whether he left or stood there like a fool. Let this serve as a warning to Cromby and anyone who supported him. Will did not suffer their ilk.
“I can’t believe you did that.” Harriet looked up at him with wide eyes. “I can’t believeIdid that.”
Will traced a finger over her chin. “I told you, the second I learned about your aversion to him, he was dead in my world. And,” he lowered his voice, “you can do whatever you like.”
Her face split into a grin. It was the first time she had shown him an expression like that, and one of the many knots in his heart slowly unraveled.
“Well, then, don’t blame me when I do whatever I want in the future.”
“I won’t.”
“There the two of you go again. Why did I even come to this ball?” Calstone lamented.
“I’ve been questioning that for myself,” Graves murmured.
“We should go for drinks and leave these two alone in their little world,” Calstone said. He turned to Will. “Let me tell you, old chap, if you don’t hold onto me, I’ll be stolen by someone else. I can see the headlines now: The tradesman and duke—a shocking tale of love and betrayal.”
Harriet nudged Will with an elbow. “Now might be your only chance to hand him over to someone else.”
Graves shook his head. “Is he always like this?”
“Unfortunately.”
“You say that after I jumped into the Thames after you?”
Will snorted. “That was your choice.”
At that moment, a rush of titters exploded around them, and Will’s gaze was drawn to the upper staircase, where four men appeared beside each other.
No. Not men.
Women.
Will recognized them almost instantly as Lady Ophelia, Lady Louisa, Lady Selena, and Lady Theodosia. Four of the heiresses on the list. He shot a glance at his wife, whose expectant, yet nervous gaze was riveted to the scene. No surprise in her eyes.
Whatever was about to happen, she was informed.
He thought back to when he’d followed her to Lady Leonora’s house. Lady Selena had also been present then.
He glanced back to the women. A hush had fallen over the ballroom. All eyes on the scene at the top of the stairwell. It was impossible not to stare. Each woman wore well-fitted men’s clothing. From boots to cravat to even a top hat. Each lady also carried a cane in one hand and a set of papers in the other.
