Page 53 of Leap of Faith
One of her friends gasped while another gasped and tittered.
“Run out of Whitford sisters, have you?” Mrs. Drummond-Burrell asked.
“I thought it might be nice to dance with the most handsome woman in the room.”
“Odious boy. There are plenty of other eligible ladies to dance with. And a waltz, too! It’s not done!”
“Is it a written rule, Mrs. Drummond-Burrell?”
She shook her head and waved them on their way.
“Stop acting like you are an aged dowager, Mother. You dance better than most of the chits just out of the schoolroom!”
“Very well, there is no need to flatter me. I assume you want something?”
“I need to speak to you without a thousand ears listening.”
“Did Sir Julian do something? I saw Carew intervene when he attempted to speak with Miss Whitford.”
“Did he? I only stepped into the card room for one dance.”
“Oh, yes. He attempted to waylay her on the way to the retiring room.”
“There must be a way to discover what he is about. We have already made utter cakes of ourselves by coming to Almack’s!”
“I would not go that far. You have made it clear to him you will protect them at all costs.”
“All costs?” Dominic was afraid that was what Sir Julian was counting on. “Perhaps I should have him followed.”
“It is not a terrible idea. Perhaps a discreet footman or two? Sadly, most servants can be bribed.”
“I cannot believe he is going to such lengths to begin secret wagers involving innocent young girls. You will keep an eye on them, I know.”
“I do not need a second warning, Dominic. I want no harm to come to those girls any more than you do. They have certainly alleviated any boredom you might have felt.”
“Did I say I was bored?”
She gave him a look that only a mother could.
Once the Whitford ladies were safely ensconced in a carriage on the way home, Dominic and his friends decided to stop by their clubs to check the betting books in hopes they would give them a clue as to the nature of the affair to be dealt with.
When they reached White’s, the book was surrounded.
“Perhaps it would be best if you go to earth, so to speak, Dom,” Rotham suggested.
“I will go look. I am the least likely to be associated with you,” Carew said.
“I’ll go with you. I want to check the odds on some of my horses,” Freddy added.
Dominic, Montford, and Rotham found some chairs to sit in and ordered drinks while they waited.
“I see some pointed looks in our direction. Hopefully, they will not close their budgets before Carew gets over there.”
“Hopefully, someone will be too far gone to be careful.”
It took some time before Carew returned. “Freddy is still looking for the races. No one wanted to give it up to him.”
“Well?”
