Page 54 of A Rake's Redemption
“Not one of you is making any sense.” Miranda frowned at the lot of them. “What happened? Was Lord Ashley’s guest disrobing for him?”
“Hardly,” Beatrice said.
Melanie raised a brow. “Leave it to you, Miranda, to even think such a thing.”
Jeannette shook her head. “Both were sitting quite respectably in their chairs.”
Miranda felt a bit of her tension diminish. She’d purposely declined to visit Alex’s box with the ladies, not wanting him to think she was part of the pack—hisR Club.He needed to realize she was special, that she alone could meet his basest and darkest desires and fulfill his fantasies. Their one assignation had already proved how perfectly compatible they were.
But curiosity—or need—demanded to know why these four rushed down the steps in such a completely undignified way. “What is it then?”
“Ague,” Jeannette said.
Miranda blinked. “Ague?”
Vanessa nodded. “Caroline Nash said Miss O’Brien is recovering from it.”
“We’re not sure if she is completely well,” Beatrice added.
Miranda stared at them, not sure if they were attempting a jest at her expense. Fern hadn’t mentioned a thing about anyone being ill at Dansworth House, let alone Inis suffering from severe fever. The Irish twit hadn’t looked sick as she’d entered the theatre on Alex’s arm.Hangingonto him provocatively, like she wasclaiminghim. She’d practically glowed when he’d bent down to whisper something to her.
“We did not think we should stay in close proximity,” Beatrice said.
Miranda forced herself to refocus. “Yes, I suppose that was wise.”
“We cannot be too careful,” Jeannette said as the head usher rang his hand bell, signaling that patrons should return to their seats. “The Season is just underway.”
As the women left to take their seats, Miranda looked up the stairs just in time to see Caroline appear at the top of them. The woman was one of those strange creatures who seemed to scorn Society, yet be accepted by it, no doubt because her father had saved the Prince Regent’s reputation—such as it was—on more than one occasion. Caroline was devious. Had Amelia Stanton not been even more cunning, Caroline would have become a duchess. But George’s ultimate rejection of Caroline had made her Alexander’s friend.
Miranda narrowed her eyes thoughtfully as she moved out of sight of the steps.
Was Caroline playing a role in what was transpiring at Dansworth House? And, if so, what was it?
Chapter Seventeen
Inis finished grooming Goldie the next afternoon and patted the young filly’s neck. Between the spider bite and her sprained ankle, it had been nearly three weeks since the filly had gotten a good workout. She’d seen Alex dressed in riding clothes earlier, although she hadn’t had a chance to talk to him.
She rather doubted he’d let her go along. Caroline’s quick thinking that Inis was recovering from the ague had probably saved her from attending any social events in the near future, but it would also keep her from riding in public. If she were seen, there would be questions about Caroline’s story.
Alex had been strangely quiet in the carriage on the ride back last night. Inis wondered if he’d been rethinking the success of his scheme after her first social outing. When the ladies had entered their box, she had been torn between using her western Irish brogue to keep her identity well hidden, or speaking the King’s English, as Caroline called it. Inis had recognized the women’s snide remarks—they weren’t that much different from Dublin aristocrats—and decided she didn’t have much of a choice. If she sounded like a country peasant, the gossip would spread like a grease fire and keep Alex from hisfait accompliof presenting her at his brother’s ball. She just hoped Alex would think Caroline had taught her the proper accent.
Still, his silence had unsettled her and, to fill the void, she’d spent most of the ride back talking about the play. She gave Goldie a final pat as Jameson led Alex’s horse out, already saddled. The stallion this time, which just confirmed Inis’s thinking that Alex had no intention of letting her take the filly out with him.
Alex strode into the stables a moment later, pulling on his riding gloves. Although his hair was neatly pulled back in a queue and his clothing immaculate, he didn’t look particularly rested. There were dark smudges under his eyes as though he’d tossed and turned most of the night.
“Will you be gone long?” Inis asked, ignoring Jameson’s shocked expression.
She knew she had no business asking, but Goldie needed the exercise before her training started to lapse.
“I do not know. Xenos needs to run.” Alex picked up the reins. “Why?”
“Goldie needs to run, too. I doona want to see her forget her manners. I am still your hostler.”
Alex gave her a long look before he vaulted into the saddle. “We may have to rethink that.”
Inis felt a flash of panic.HadAlex changed his mind about his scheme? “If you are worried about another spider bite—”
“It is not that. We will talk about this later.” Alex tapped the stallion’s flanks and the horse leaped forward.
