Page 29 of The Paid Companion

“It was either that or employ a professional actress,” he agreed. “I was reluctant to do that for fear that she might be recognized by, uh,” he hesitated, searching for a diplomatic turn of phrase. “Someone who had seen her perform onstage.”

She caught his slight pause and raised her brows. “Or by some gentlemen who had enjoyed her favors offstage?”

“No offense to your grandmother,” he said dryly.

“None taken. She would have been the first to acknowledge that actresses and opera dancers have always enjoyed a certain reputation among the gentlemen of the ton.”

He was relieved that she did not appear to be the least bit touchy or outraged by the subject. What a relief it was to be able to talk openly to a woman, he thought, his mood lifting for the first time that evening. With Elenora he did not have to concern himself with the possibility that he might accidentally ruffle her female sensibilities. She was, indeed, a woman of the world.

“Nevertheless,” he continued, recalling the point he was attempting to make, “it would have been best if you had not made any reference to my comments about selecting a paid companion for a wife. It will only serve to make people all the more curious about you.”

“I beg your pardon, sir, but was that not the whole point of the deception? Your goal is to use me to deflect Society’s attention while you conduct your private business, correct?”

He grimaced. “Yes.”

“It seems obvious that the more people are consumed with curiosity about me, the less notice they will take of what you are doing.”

“Enough,” he growled. “You are right and I admit defeat. Indeed, I do not know why I bothered to start this discussion. I must have had a momentary lapse of memory.”

But that was a lie, he acknowledged silently. He had started the small quarrel because he had been badly jolted by the possibility that Hathersage might have his eye on Elenora. The sight of other males paying so much attention to her disturbed him for reasons that he did not want to analyze too closely.

She laughed. “For heaven’s sake, sir, no one in his right mind would actuallybelievethat you went to an agency to find a wife.”

“No, probably not.”

She gave him a reproving look. “Really, sir, you must calm yourself and stay focused on your business affairs. I will deal with the tasks that you are paying me to manage. I trust your plans are going well?”

It occurred to him that she was the only part of his elaborate scheme that was actually working. He would very much like to discuss the other aspects of the affair with her, he thought suddenly. He wanted to talk to someone. Elenora was an intelligent, worldly woman who was not easily shocked. Furthermore, he was convinced now that she could keep his secrets.

He was also quite desperate for some fresh ideas. His failure to make any progress in the past few days was worrisome.

Bennett had advised him to tell Elenora the truth. Perhaps that was not such a bad notion after all.

He came to a halt at the edge of the dance floor. Ignoring the polite inquiry in her eyes, he guided her toward the glass-paned doors that opened onto the terrace.

“I am in need of some air,” he said. “Come, there is something I want to discuss with you.”

She did not argue.

The night was pleasantly cool after the heat of the crowded ballroom. He took Elenora’s arm and led her across the terrace, away from the lights. They went down the stone steps into the lantern-lit gardens.

They walked for a distance before he stopped at the edge of a large fountain. He considered his words carefully before he started into his tale.

“I did not come to town to form another consortium of investors,” he said slowly. “That is merely the tale I have put about to cover my real purposes.”

She nodded, showing no indication of surprise. “I had a feeling there was more to this business. A man of your intelligence and resolute nature would not employ a lady to pose as his fiancée merely to avoid the inconveniences of having every eligible young lady of the ton tossed into his path.”

He grinned reluctantly. “That comment only goes to show how little you know about such inconveniences. Nevertheless, you are right. I employed you to provide cover for me so that I could go about my real business.”

She tipped her chin with an expectant air. “And that would be?”

He hesitated another second or two, gazing steadily into her clear eyes, and then he consigned his remaining qualms to the nether regions. Every instinct he possessed told him that he could trust her.

“I am attempting to find the man who murdered my great-uncle, George Lancaster,” he said.

At that news, she went very still, watching him intently. But she remained remarkably composed, considering his words.

“I see,” she said neutrally.

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