a headache. He had enough difficulty with a printed page without trying to decipher Lady Kelby’s pretty loops and curlicues.
He could read. Barely, and certainly not for pleasure. The number of books in the Earl of Kelby’s library had failed to impress him.
“Let me escort you back to Mivart’s.”
“Won’t Patsy miss you?”
Surely Lady Kelby was not jealous. “I’m sure she’s found an adequate substitute,” he said, squeezing himself into his coat. He saw her hesitate, then drop her veil.
“All right. The quicker I can get out of here, the better.”
He offered an arm and they left the room. “How is it you got past Mick Fisher?”
“I lied, sir. Just as you have.”
“Ouch. I don’t suppose you even need a knife to cut your dinner when your sharp tongue will do. I also take it lying does not come naturally to you?”
In the long hallway, she took a misstep, causing them to careen toward a marble-top table.
“Easy, Lady Kelby. One foot in front of the other. Don’t worry if anyone sees us. The Monarchs are a discreet bunch, believe it or not.”
“D-do you require all those peculiar implements on the wall to . . .” Her words faded.
Reyn wished he could see her face clearly. She must think the absolute worst of him. He laughed. “To perform? You need have no fear, Lady Kelby. I bought a subscription to the club as a lark. A dare.” He had beyond bored, and it had seemed a good idea at the time. He was as normal as the next man, more or less, with some significant exceptions.
“Shouldn’t the money you spent have gone to your sister?”
Yes, he should have settled the extra sum on Ginny, but she had been safely set up in the country before he won his little windfall. Lord Kelby’s gold had seen to that. Reyn was spared from answering by the sight of a contrite Mick Fisher at the bottom of the stairs.
The butler began his effusive apologies from the hallway below as Reyn steered Lady Kelby down the marble steps. “Beggin’ your pardon, Captain. I told the mort not to go up to bother you. She promised me she’d stay put.” Fisher gave Maris a pugnacious glare.
“No bother at all, Mick. Really, it was quite delightful to have her join me.”
Lady Kelby stiffened under his hand, but did not contradict him.
“Mrs. Rumford weren’t none too pleased to be interrupted, Captain, I can tell you that. You’ll have some fences to mend there. Lady Kelby, I believe Mrs. R. said her name is?”
Damn the man, and damn Patsy. The countess’s reputation would suffer if it was discovered she’d been entertained at the Reining Monarchs Society even for so short a time as a brief conversation.
And especially after that kiss.
“I think you misheard, Mick.” Reyn stuck his hand in his pocket and brought out the coins Lady Kelby had refused, dropping them into the butler’s open palm and praying he kept quiet. The man must be getting quite rich working there, and it was easier than getting pummeled nightly in a boxing ring. “Is Mrs. Rumford still about?”
“Went home, she did. Called a hack for her myself. If I was you, I’d go visit her with a peace offering right quick.”
“Thank you, Mick. I shall do that immediately. Lady Trilby, shall we leave?”
In what passed for a sprint in so large a man, Mick made it to the front door before they did and held it open. “Good afternoon, Captain Durant. Good afternoon, Lady Trilby.”
Reyn took a left turn at the sidewalk.
“Mivart’s is in the other direction,” Lady Kelby objected.
“I know that. We’re giving Mick some misdirection. He may seem as if he’s been hit in the head too many times, but he’s very shrewd. Did he see your face?”
“Oh. Oh dear.”
“I take it that’s a yes. We’ll just have to hope my little bribe was sufficient. Patsy will be more difficult to silence, but leave her to me.” Reyn patted Maris’s arm confidently, hoping his words were true.
“Do you have a paddle in your pocket to persuade her?”
“Lady Kelby, you have a very prurient mind. I trust my natural charms are sufficient to assuage Mrs. Rumford.”
Maris sniffed as they passed gated front gardens with pruned boxwood and urns of hardy pansies. The neighborhood was lovely, if one liked bland and orderly—with the exception of the Reining Monarchs in its midst, of course.
Reyn looked around. “Is it not a lovely day?”
“I am not going to waste my time discussing the