What really fried her curls is that if word got out that Sir Rupert had tried to get under her skirts, she’d have to marry him or be considered ruined. Society would considerhisactions to beherfault.
He wouldn’t survive their wedding night. At least not with his manhood intact.
Madame Zavrina had made sure her instructors and staff knew what behavior was acceptable and what wasn’t, had taught them ways to avoid unwanted attention from the fathers and brothers who came to the school dropping off and picking up the students. Some of the instructors had shared additional techniques that Madame Zavrina would have frowned upon had she known the bloodthirsty nature of the defense tactics.
One of the teachers had been dismissed last year because she’d resisted a visitor’s advances. Sabrina was the one with a torn gown and mussed hair, but the visiting lord had insistedshehad assaultedhim. When it came to the word of a penniless spinster or a wealthy gentleman, neither Sabrina nor Madame Zavrina had stood a chance.
As vexing as some men could be, there were other men who restored her faith. Like Uncle Edward, who’d returned from Jamaica two months ago, newly rich and insisting on treating her to a Season.
And like her mysterious rescuer.
What would she do if she encountered him? Thank him? Apologize for casting up her accounts practically on his shoes? Would he accept that her forward behavior—she had toyed with his hair!—had been due to the influence of the drug?
She went still. Would he think she would try to traphiminto marriage? Oh, dear. They’d been alone in his carriage. In some ways, he’d taken more liberties with her person than Sir Rupert had. Carrying her. Holding her on his lap.
But his intentions had been honorable. He had been gentle and caring. Respectful.Please trust thatI am trying to help.Not licentious and lustful. He’d gone to great lengths to preserve her reputation.
He’d also gone to great lengths to remain anonymous.
The more she considered the events from her rescuer’s point of view, the more it seemed likely he would want to put it behind him as much as she did.
Perhaps she should not try to identify him. Trust that if they were meant to meet, they would encounter each other again. London society wasn’t that large, after all. No need to acknowledge their first encounter.
Yes, that was for the best.
Chapter 4
Logic satisfied, Ashley was firm in her resolve to not try to identify her mysterious rescuer. Didn’t stop butterflies from trying to take flight in her midsection, though, as she descended the stairs and joined Aunt Eunice moments before Georgia and her parents arrived to take them to tonight’s entertainment.
After exchanging polite greetings and compliments, the five of them settled in the carriage for the short drive to Lord and Lady Bristol’s home.
The butterflies were still fluttering madly as Ashley surveyed the other guests in the drawing room. At least three dozen people were already present, and more still arriving. Two sisters stood at the pianoforte, singing to the accompaniment of their mother. Ashley had been introduced to them a week or two ago and had already forgotten their names.
“Do you see him?” Aunt Eunice whispered behind her fan.
It took all of Ashley’s strength of will to remain calm. “Not yet.’
“Who are you looking for?” Georgia whispered, leaning close.
“Sir Rupert,” Aunt Eunice replied, still holding her fan in front of her lower face.
“He won’t be here tonight,” assured a feminine voice behind them.
The three women turned to see the new speaker.
Miss Valerie Kenyon, a miss in her second Season whom Ashley had exchanged pleasantries with before, stood just behind Georgia. “Or any night in the near future. My maid has a brother who works as a footman at a boarding house on Jermyn Street, and he said the owner was complaining that one of her tenants left abruptly yesterday morning. Still owed her a fortnight’s rent.”
“Sir Rupert?” Georgia began to ply her fan as well.
Miss Kenyon nodded. “My maid’s brother overheard Sir Rupert tell the jarvey to take him to the docks. Planned to sail on the next available ship. Said it didn’t matter where it was going.”
Ashley locked her knees to keep them from buckling. “He’s gone.” She wouldn’t get to slap him, but wouldn’t have to face him, either. An unexpected mix of relief, disappointment, and anger flooded through her.
Georgia tapped her arm. “Were you hoping to make a match with him?”
“Heavens, no!”
“He did seem to be paying court to you,” Aunt Eunice said. “He was most assiduous in his attentions. He didn’t give you any indication he was leaving on a journey?”
