What Happens in Piccadilly - Chasity Bowlin Page 0,58
a suitable investment. In the meantime, you should focus on making a match. That will ease his worries considerably.”
“Because I’ll be one less person to support,” she surmised.
“No,” Winn said. “Because he cares very deeply for you and knowing that your welfare has been seen to will offer him some peace, I think.”
Amelia looked away, her gaze landing on her brother where he laughed and joked with those around him. Despite his apparent gaiety, there was a tension in him that was undeniable. “Thank you, my lord, for being such a good friend to us. And for your generosity, but I’m very worried that Charlie may be in some sort of trouble beyond simply financial woes. It isn’t the sort of thing that just a loan will cover.”
Winn nodded. “I fear you may be right, Amelia. But tonight, you should worry for nothing. Enjoy your debut. Dance, laugh, flirt. Do all the things that young girls are supposed to do before they take society by storm… and I’ll—I’ll speak to Burney. And I’ll do what I can to help.”
“Thank you. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate that,” she said, smiling sweetly.
“It’s the least I can do. Our families have been friends for ages, after all. Tell me, Amelia, are you acquainted with the Duke of Averston?”
She was all wide-eyed innocence as she answered, “I’ve never met him, I think. I know Charlie wanted to have him invest in his latest venture, but I’ve no notion beyond that of why he’s here. In truth, I wasn’t even aware that he’d been invited.”
“Just as well,” Winn said. “He’s not the sort for you. Avoid him please.”
Amelia looked toward Averston where he stood there watching the festivities. “I agree. I don’t think I’d have much in common with him, at all. He seems rather cold, I think.”
“I think that you are a remarkably good judge of character, dear girl.”
When the dance ended, he escorted her back to her mother. Walking away from the pair, he scanned the room for Averston. Finally, he spotted the man leaning nonchalantly against a column, half-hidden behind a potted palm. Noting the intensity of the man’s gaze, Winn followed it and found that Averston was staring at Burney as he twirled some empty-headed, giggling chit about the dance floor.
Approaching him, Winn stated bluntly, “I’m surprised to see you here, Averston. I didn’t think these events merited a spot on your already overflowing social calendar.”
Averston’s expression firmed, but there was a hint of amusement in his gaze. “Shall I submit my schedule to you for approval?”
Winn didn’t take the bait. “What are you doing here really, Averston? The Burney family is hardly part of your social sphere. And we both know you do nothing unless there is profit or power in it. You’ve already rejected Burney’s investment proposition.”
“You’re smarter than I gave you credit for being, Montgomery. You may relax in the knowledge that I am here at the request of Mr. Charles Burney… the return of a favor, if you will.”
Winn’s blood went cold. “Burney is a good man to know. A trusted friend… most of the time.”
“Most of the time?” Averston asked. “What must the young man have done to be damned by such faint praise?”
Deciding to brazen it out, Winn replied, “He’s made free with a bit of information that he ought to have kept secret. It could be very damaging to someone…” to someone I care a great deal for . “To someone I know.”
“It rather sounds as if you are in some sort of romantic entanglement. Is the lady married? Or is she promised to someone else? Tell me, what bastard have you sired that will inherit another man’s title?”
“It isn’t that sort of secret,” Winn said. Whether it was simply wishful thinking on his part, he couldn’t say. But he didn’t believe that Averston knew the truth, at least not yet. “Why did you come here, Averston?”
The duke shrugged. “Mr. Burney thought my presence might aid his sister in making a successful launch into society. I’ll even dance with the girl. But I’ve no designs on her. It seems you might, however. Pretty little thing, though I wouldn’t have pegged you for one to court children.”
“I do not have designs on her,” Winn replied. “Our families are of long acquaintance and I feel what one might refer to as a brotherly regard for her… and for Burney. Tell me, what sort of favor did Burney do for you?”