Page 5 of The Rogue's Last Scandal
That sent a prickle through him. His father had many friends and many enemies. In truth, his father had never said whether her father, Captain Tristan Kingsley, was either. They’d never talked about the man at all. “You are all politeness,” he said, stalling.
Her mouth firmed. “I am not polite,señor. I am desperate.” She pulled her hands away. “I cannot be seen with you.”
“Wait.” He touched her bare arm, above the buttoned glove. “He’s in Bath. I’ll find a way when he returns.”
“That will be too late.”
“ThenI’llhelp you.”
She looked up at him. “My father said I could trust your father. I am not so sure about you.”
His reputation had preceded him, as it always did. The feckless, whoring, drunken younger son of one of England’s greatest. Only occasionally did he regret his ill repute. Only occasionally did it work against him. Like now.
“I will help you, and I will not importune you in any way. You can trust me. Have you a plan?”
She straightened. She hesitated, and then tucked her hand around his arm. “Tonight, I will raise the false flag. I will play the coward and faint. You may catch me if you will.” They proceeded up the stairs and at the top she stopped. “Please. No duels. I do not wish any more blood upon my conscience.”
“Me? Duel? With whom? Carvelle?”
She nodded.
He released her hand, took a step back, and smiled. “I prefer to deal with villains in a more expedient way.”
That did not cheer her as he'd hoped. Instead her mouth firmed more. Before she could speak the door opened and Penderbrook walked out with Charley’s sister, Perry.
Charley made the introductions and watched Miss Kingsley attempt polite small talk. She was no better at it than his passionate, opinionated, intelligent sister, who quickly surmised a problem.
“There you are, Grace.” Lady Kingsley barreled through the doors. “We have been looking all over for you. Where have you been?”
Perry moved into her path before she could snatch up Miss Kingsley. “She was with me.” Perry smiled and pushed up her spectacles.
She used them to ward off all the idiots after her grand dowry, but Charley knew she only fiddled with them like this when she was nervous.
“I am most anxious to visit the Caribbean and Mexico someday. And, oh, my dear Miss Kingsley, I heard the news about your father’s ship. I feel certain the report must be mistaken. Why, how many times, Charley, did we receive word that Father was dead? And he wasn’t. And our brother’s wife, Sirena—her brother was reported dead, and it is a marvel how that turned out. You must not lose hope, Miss Kingsley.”
Dear Perry. She was far toofeelingfor the bloodlesston,even the members who lurked around the fringes of high society.
Miss Kingsley blinked tears that Charley decided were real.
“You are so very kind.” She smiled up at Perry and slid the warm glance to Charley, briefly, briefly before it extinguished.
His nerves tingled. Miss Kingsley might be making her first bows in London, but she’d been out in some kind of society before. At some time in her past, she’d practiced sending gentlemen that sort of look.
And of course, she’d spent considerable time on a privateer’s ship.
“We must go in now, Grace,” Lady Kingsley said through clenched teeth.
Miss Kingsley stared up at Perry. “I shall never forget your kindness.”
“Of course you won’t.” Perry squeezed both of her hands. “I shall remind you of it at every opportunity, when we shop, or go for ices, or to the theater. I cannot wait to meet your father when he returns, and I know my father will be delighted to meet you when he returns from Bath.”
That was laying it on rather thickly. Somehow, his sister had sniffed out Miss Kingsley’s dilemma and was coming to her aid. If Perry had been born male, and if she exercised just a bit more daring, she’d be the true successor of Shaldon, the great manipulator.
Perry sent him a smile. “Do you not agree, brother?”
He leveled a gaze at Miss Kingsley. “I most certainly agree. In fact, I shall send Father a message. He might be able to do some good in searching out information on your father.”
“You must not let them put these ideas into your head, Grace. Your father is dead. You must not hold onto false hope.” Lady Kingsley elbowed Perry aside. “I know you mean well, Lady Perpetua, but it is not kindness to keep our Grace in a state of impossible hope. Now we must go in. The world is waiting.”
