Page 28 of The Paid Companion

“She mentioned the agency?” he asked warily.

“I vow it was the most amusing tale I have heard in weeks.” Hathersage replied. “It will be on everyone’s lips tomorrow. Such lively wit is a valuable asset in a wife, just as it is in any other type ofcompanion.”

Elenora had given Hathersage the truth, but because it was so outrageous, he had not believed it, Arthur realized, relaxing somewhat.

The rest of the Polite World would follow Hathersage’s lead, he thought. All was well.

“She is quite unique,” Arthur said.

“Indeed.” Hathersage’s eyes narrowed slightly. “You will want to keep an eye on her, St. Merryn. I wouldn’t be surprised to discover that some of those men hanging around her down there right now are already plotting to lure her away from you.”

Damnation.Was it possible that Hathersage himself might be contemplating such a move? He was said to be in the market for a new wife, and he was certainly wealthy enough to be able to look past a lady’s finances.

Anger splashed through Arthur. He fought it with the force of his will and a dose of logic. Hathersage was merely amusing himself.

“If you will excuse me, I believe I will take your advice and go downstairs to see about protecting my interests,” he said calmly.

“Be prepared to stand in line.”

Arthur waited until Elenora’s partner led her back off the dance floor before he descended into the ballroom. He had no intention of standing in line. But he was irritated to discover that he had to use some force and a certain degree of raw intimidation to make his way into Elenora’s inner circle.

When he finally arrived, Elenora did not appear to be overjoyed to see him. After her small start of surprise, she gave him a polite, somewhat quizzical smile.

“What are you doing here, sir?” she asked in a low voice meant for his ears alone. “I thought you had other plans for the evening.”

She was acting as though he was the last person she had wanted to see tonight, he mused. Conscious of the disgruntled gentlemen loitering about in the vicinity, he smiled the way a man smiled at a lady who belonged to him.

“What plans could possibly be more important than dancing with my lovely fiancée?” he asked, bending over her hand. He took her arm and steered her firmly toward the dance floor. “Where are Bennett and Margaret?” he growled.

“They disappeared into the card room an hour or so ago.” She studied him with mild concern. “What is the matter, sir? You appear to be somewhat perturbed.”

“I’m not perturbed, I’m annoyed.”

“I see. Well, you really cannot blame me for not being able to distinguish between the two states of being. In your case they appear remarkably alike.”

He refused to be teased out of his bad temper. “Bennett and Margaret were supposed to keep an eye on you.”

“Ah, so that is the problem. You were concerned about me. Well, there is absolutely no need, sir. I assure you, I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”

He thought about the cluster of gentlemen that had surrounded her earlier. “I do not like the idea of you being left alone in the middle of a ballroom with a crowd of strangers.”

“I was hardly alone, sir, and I am making friends at a great rate.”

“That is not the point. You are a very competent woman, Elenora, but there is no getting around the fact that you have not had a great deal of experience swimming in Society.” Bennett’s admonition came back to him. “These waters can be extremely treacherous.”

“I assure you, there is no need to worry about me. That is one of the reasons you went to an agency to hire a paid companion, if you will recall. Among other requirements, you wished to employ a female who had been out in the world; one who possessed a degree of common sense.”

“And that is another thing.” He tightened his grip on her. “What were you thinking when you told Hathersage that I had found you at an agency?”

“Bennett warned me that I would have to say something to Hathersage that would cause him to sit up and take notice, as it were. I had heard about your infamous vow a year ago, the one about seeking your next bride at an agency. I decided that if I referred to your little jest, Hathersage would be amused. That is precisely what happened.”

“Huh.” He did not like it, but he had to admit she was right. Hathersage had found Elenora very entertaining. “Who told you about those remarks I made a year ago?”

“Evidently everyone has heard about them. Indeed, they appear to have become a part of your personal legend.”

He winced. “At the time I intended them as a bit of wit, one of those things one says to deflect sympathy or unwanted inquiries.”

“I understand. But later, when you realized you needed a lady who could pose as your fiancée, it occurred to you that the idea was actually a very good one, is that it?”

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