Page 43 of Affair

“You have it,” Baxter said quietly.

The earl relaxed. “Steady and clearheaded. Reliable as the sunrise.” He closed his eyes. “Knew I could depend on you to look after the family.”

Baxter shook himself free of the memories as Maryann came to a halt in front of him.

“Good evening, Baxter.”

“Maryann.”

“You have not responded to my requests for a meeting. I have sent three notes.”

“I’ve been occupied with other matters,” Baxter said with the icy politeness he had cultivated years ago for just such occasions. “If this is about money, you know I gave the bankers instructions to honor any reasonable request for funds.”

“This has nothing to do with money. If you don’t mind, I would prefer to discuss the matter in private. Shall we go out into the gardens?”

“Some other time, perhaps. I intend to dance the next waltz with my fiancée.”

Maryann frowned. “It’s true that you are engaged, then?”

“Yes.” Baxter caught sight of Charlotte in Lennox’s arms. They were both moving very briskly around the floor. Stamina.

“I see. I suppose I should congratulate you.”

“There’s no need for you to go out of your way.”

Maryann’s lips tightened. “Baxter, please, I must speak with you about Hamilton. I am extremely concerned. You know very well that your father told me that if I ever needed your help, you would assist me.”

Baxter turned his head slowly to meet Maryann’s desperate eyes and knew that he had no choice in the matter. He had given his father his oath.

He inclined his head a bare half inch in acceptance of the inevitable. “I believe you are correct, madam. It would no doubt be best if we held this conversation out in the gardens.”

Seven

“I have heard that you were well acquainted with poor Mrs. Heskett.” Charlotte realized to her chagrin that she sounded a trifle breathless. It was not easy keeping up with Lord Lennox. He set a demanding pace on the dance floor and she was definitely out of practice. “Dreadful thing, her murder. Makes one wonder what the world is coming to, does it not?”

“It certainly does. A shocking incident.” Lennox whipped Charlotte around in a grand, gliding turn that took them halfway across the floor. “You knew her also, did you?”

“We were not terribly close, but we had several conversations. She, uh, mentioned you, my lord.”

“Very fond of her, I was. Wanted to marry her, doncha know. But, alas, she turned down my offer. Couldn’t believe it when I heard she’d been felled by a damned villain. Quite chilling.”

“Indeed. You said you were fond of her?”

“Drusilla? Lord, yes. Enjoyed her company immensely. A real goer, Drusilla was. That woman had stamina, if y’know what I mean.”

“She used to say much the same about you, my lord.”

“Did she now?” Lennox looked briefly pleased. “Glad to hear it. I’m going to miss the lady, even if she did reject my offer of marriage.” He winked. “Dru made it clear that she wouldn’t be averse to the occasional bounce in bed after she settled on the business of a husband, doncha know.”

“I see.”

“I was to call on her that very night, you know.”

Charlotte looked up quickly. “You went to see her the night she was killed?”

“No, no. I was supposed to pay a visit that evening. Got a message at the last minute informing me that she was ill and would not be able to receive me. Often wondered what would have happened if I’d gone to her house that evening.”

“Indeed.” Charlotte saw that Lennox had her on a collision course with an elderly man in a blue coat and a woman gowned in pale lavender silk. “Lord Lennox, perhaps we should—”

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