Page 74 of The Lady Needs a Rogue
“I am.” She affected a prim tone. “Might I ask what concern it is of yours?”
He didn’t answer her, but shifted his attention to Nell. “And who might you be?”
“My name is Miss Blake. This gentleman is our escort, Mr. Caldwell. Might I ask why you are inquiring?”
“Lady Fenwick asked me to look into an incident.” He glared at Finn as if he’d absconded with the queen’s jewels. “There was a report that Miss Mason had been maltreated by a guest.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Macie said. “Unless you are referring to the drunken boor who spoke to us in the rudest manner.”
“I am not.” He eyed Finn with a look of clear distrust. “As a matter of fact, your escort fits the description of the man who’d been observed accosting you.”
“Do not make accusations ye cannot back up.” Finn controlled his voice, infusing a steady calm into his words.
The bodyguard kept his eyes on Finn. “My job is to determine what happened to Miss Mason while she was nowhere to be found. A rather peculiar situation, I’d say.”
Macie hiked her chin. “I’ll ask you not to speak of me as if I am not standing directly before you. I can speak for myself.”
The bodyguard nodded. “I will be direct, Miss Mason. Do you have reason to fear this man?”
“How utterly absurd,” she replied.
As the hulking bloke continued to eye him with suspicion, Finn squared his shoulders. Bugger it, he’d rather not have to use his fists tonight, much less against a man who stood half a head taller. But if matters took an ugly turn, he’d be ready. Bloody shame he had not carried his walking stick that night. If Lady Fenwick’s bodyguard raised a hand in violence, the silver gargoyle would make quite a point.
With Lady Drayton following close at her heels, Lady Fenwick marched up to them. Intrigue brimmed in her narrow-eyed gaze.
“Oh, Miss Mason, you gave us a bit of a worry,” Lady Fenwick said, keeping her voice low.
“A bit of worry, is it?” Macie’s eyes sparkled with a touch of defiance. “I am at a loss as to what has caused your concern. It would seem that someone has stirred intrigue where none exists.”
Lady Drayton flashed a thin-lipped glare. “The viscount was quite clear about what he’d witnessed.”
Finn could no longer hold his tongue. “Considering the manner in which the gangly fop spoke to Miss Mason, he should count himself fortunate—”
“Miss Mason, there ye are.” A familiar voice cut into his words. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw her—the Dragon had finally decided to make her appearance. As usual, her timing was perfect.
Wearing a gown of shiny red silk and an elaborate bejeweled crown, Mrs. Elsie Johnstone—the aunt Logan had dubbedthe Dragonin their youth—strode up to them with the commanding manner of the queen she portrayed.
Mrs. Johnstone sent Macie a speaking glance. “My dear, it would seem I lost track of ye after lingering in the garden.”
Though she had no idea of the Red Queen’s identity, Macie played along. “Oh, my, we should have waited. But I longed for a sip of something cold and bubbly.”
“Mrs. Johnstone, what a pleasant surprise.” Lady Fenwick’s smile was as sincere as her tone. “I’d feared you would not be able to join us this evening.”
“I would not have missed this for the world.” Mrs. Johnstone said. “I arrived a bit late and quickly found myself dashing off to the garden to take in the brilliant night sky. The Comet Sagittarian was quite spectacular.”
“Indeed,” Macie agreed, throwing Nell a wink.
“I do not believe I shall ever forget the sight,” Nell added.
“I do wish you had let me know of this event.” Lady Fenwick’s disappointment sounded genuine. “Is it possible I might still observe it?”
Lady Drayton frowned. “I don’t recall my son mentioning anything about a comet.”
“Sadly, it was a fleeting phenomenon.” Mrs. Johnstone paid Lady Drayton’s comment no heed. “I looked for you, but I believe you were entertaining some very important noble or other at the moment we decided to go to the garden.”
“Pity,” Lady Fenwick said. “Next time, please do keep me informed. I am counting on you, my friend.”
“Of course.” Mrs. Johnstone smiled. “We were fortunate that Mr. Caldwell was free at the moment to escort us.”
