Harriet nodded and allowed her husband to lead her from the ballroom. They had to pass her friends, and she sent them a small wave of support.
“Leaving already?” Selena whispered.
“Yes, I’ll speak to you soon. You were all fabulous, by the way.”
Selena waved her off with a wink.
Leeds retrieved their cloaks from a footman, and he helped fasten the garment before they stepped into the cool night’s embrace. “The carriage will come around in a few minutes.”
Harriet nodded. “Aren’t you going to ask me if I knew?”
“I know you did.” He looked at her meaningfully. “It was written all over your pretty face.”
“Are you angry?” Harriet asked softly. He didn’t look angry. But then, Leeds had a way of schooling his features so no one, not even her, could tell what he was thinking.
“I’m not.”
“Are you disappointed?”
“No.”
“Then what are you?”
The carriage arrived and Leeds wasted no time ushering her in. She settled into the soft cushions, eyes following him as he entered after her. He rapped on the roof and the carriage shot forward.
“I’m not angry,” he said after a moment. “And I’m not disappointed. If anything, I’m concerned.”
“Concerned about what? Wives bludgeoning the husbands with candelabras?”
“God no. That has nothing to do with me. However, you, on the other hand, are an heiress on that list. Four of them stood onthat stairwell today, declaring to every member of White’s who stole their book.”
“You’re concerned we might be in trouble?”
Dark eyes settled on her. “I cannot predict what might happen. That is my concern.”
“What will White’s do?”
“It’s what they’ve already done, love. Since the betting book’s disappearance, which I gather you know all about, things in certain quarters have been strained. They tasked the Duke of Mortimer to find it, and I heard that Cromby—the oaf—has decided to see if he can find it first.”
That man again.
“My friends won’t give back the book.”
“Let them do what they please. So long as you are not put in harm’s way.”
Warmth swept over her skin. She had learned that Leeds had a very protective nature—a layer pulled back. It could make him appear abrupt and cold, but that was just a mask he pulled on to cover his concern. He might seem calm and unruffled to the outside world, but inside he must be grappling with a tempest of emotions.
“Aren’t you going to ask if there is anything else I’m keeping from you? About the book?”
“I rather imagine a woman to be repository of secrets, is she not?”
Leeds was no fool. Those sharp eyes saw more than the average man’s. They saweverything. One look from him and it seemed as though he saw straight into her soul.
“However,” he went on, “I also know that not all secrets are ours to tell. But those that are, can you tell me? About what happened? Who stole the book?”
“You must have already guessed it was one of the heiresses. I can tell you that it’s true. One of the heiresses did nick the book.”
“But you can’t tell me which one?”
