Mistaken for a Rake - Rose Pearson Page 0,22

to defend you as much as I can, but the truth of the matter is that there are those within the beau monde who like nothing more than to chew over some piece of gossip and disregard entirely the notion that it might, in some way, affect a gentleman’s character. The rumor mill is more important to them than anything else.”

Jeffery sighed inwardly and shrugged as though such a thing was of no great consequence. “Let them say what they wish,” he stated as firmly as he could despite the fact that he felt no such confidence within his heart. “I am determined to prove myself to the ton in one way or another. I shall not allow myself to be treated as though I have done something wrong when I have not.”

Lord Swinton spread his hands. “You are welcome to try although I think it will be most difficult,” he said with a shake of his head. “Although, might I ask something?”

Jeffery nodded. “But of course.”

“What precisely occurred that evening?” Lord Swinton asked slowly. “I simply recall that you did not return to the soiree and when Lady Kensington finally reappeared—for she had begged us all to excuse her for a few minutes—it was more than apparent that she had been crying. Lord Kensington took unwell and did not even come and greet his guests, and when Lord Millerton returned, he said nothing but encouraged the gentlemen to join him at Whites.”

“Where, no doubt, the rumors began,” Jeffery muttered, darkly. “What did he say, exactly?” That evening was still very much in his mind as he recalled the shame of having to return home without being permitted to re-join the other guests. The sleepless night that had followed as he considered all that would happen next, knowing that his reputation would, most likely, be tarnished, and fearful of what would occur thereafter.

“Lord Millerton was gleeful,” Lord Swinton admitted, a little sadly. “I, of course, did not believe what he said in the least and stated as much, which is, I hope, why there are conflicting accounts of your actions.”

Jeffery lifted one eyebrow. “There are?”

“Indeed,” Lord Swinton replied, emphatically. “Some say—as Lord Millerton stated—that you were discovered in a most compromising position with Lady Kensington and that, thereafter, you were thrown from the house. Some say that you were merely in conversation with the lady but that you ought not to have been doing such a thing given that she was alone, thereby implying that, had you not been discovered, you would have…furthered your acquaintance with her.”

A wave of embarrassment flung itself into Jeffery’s face. “I see,” he muttered, running one hand over his eyes. “And there are none who consider the fact that it might have been Lady Kensington who attempted to capture my attention, but I was doing all I could to remove myself from her!”

“Is that what happened?” Lord Swinton asked quietly as the other guests continued to laugh and converse and dance around them. “You were unable to convince her to leave you?”

Another heavy sigh ripped from Jeffery’s lips. “I was foolish,” he said heavily, hating that he had to admit such a thing aloud but refuse to turn from the truth of it. “I went in search of Lord Kensington, believing him to be in his study.” Seeing the widening of Lord Swinton’s eyes, Jeffery winced and shook his head. “You told me not to do so, but I did not listen. Upon finding him absent, I decided to return to the soiree. Unfortunately, as I made my way back to the drawing-room, Lady Kensington discovered me in the hallway and attempted to…” Trailing off, he struggled to find the right words. “Attempted to encourage some sort of ardor from me. She did not succeed, however, for I wanted nothing more than to extricate myself from her.” Closing his eyes, a small groan escaped him. “You need not tell me that I was unwise. You stated very clearly that my compassion was overruling sense, and you were quite correct. I am certain now that the lady hoped I would do as she asked, in the hope that she might then fling herself at me in the improper fashion that she did. The arrival of her husband and Lord Millerton was, however, quite unexpected.”

“You would have escaped without consequence had he not appeared,” Lord Swinton added as Jeffery nodded fervently. “And no, I shall not berate you. I believe you have done enough of that on