Chapter 33
KENDRICK
After leaving Caroline with Moreland’s wife, I couldn’t stop thinking about her. It baffled me that one woman, above all others, could occupy my thoughts in such a way.
At first, I’d thought perhaps it was her innocence that I found refreshing, but I’d quickly seen that Caroline was mature beyond her years. She was sensible and practical in a way I admired. And despite her lack of experience, she’d shown a depth of passion that had matched mine.
After we’d made love, I’d wondered if she would start making demands on me and my time. But when I’d suggested she return home, she’d readily agreed. For some reason, that didn’t sit right with me.
I didn’t feel like heading to King’s early, so I went back to my townhouse. My steward had been after me to look at some estate matters, and now was as good a time as any. But even when I found myself buried in letters and account books, Caroline was never far from my mind.
I finally understood what was happening after several hours had passed and I was on my way to the club.
I was worried about her.
The realization surprised me. I’d never concerned myself with what women did after they left my bed. I imagined they went about their day just as I went about mine, and I didn’t think about them again until I felt another itch for female companionship.
But Caroline had mentioned she would try to make an excuse to stay home tonight, which meant I wouldn’t see her again today. That thought shouldn’t have bothered me, but it did.
I spent the evening as usual—winning at cards mainly, losing at billiards to Fairfax. The man could never beat Moreland, but he’d improved his skills enough to trounce me routinely.
As I headed home, I had the wayward thought that perhaps I should seek out alternative female companionship. I discarded it immediately, though, since I didn’t want to be with anyone else right now. So I went home alone and, after a restless night, returned to King’s the following morning.
The club was normally empty during the morning and early afternoon, when men liked to make an appearance at White’s or Brooks.
They would head to King’s later in the evening.
It was only midday now, so only the core group of us were there, along with a few others who went out of their way to avoid the other two clubs.
Moreland was there today, and he approached me as soon as I entered the billiard room.
I saw the newspaper in his hand and had an uncanny sense of déjà vu.
Only a few months earlier, I’d shown him that damnable article in The Mayfair Chronicle about me wanting to marry my previous mistress.
The author had already reported that I was courting the diamond, but now I braced for the worst.
“Please tell me they didn’t hear about what happened yesterday.”
“I’m afraid so,” Moreland said, handing me the paper.
The broadsheet was already open to the page in question. I scanned the gossip column and cursed.
It appears that a certain Legend isn’t content to choose his mistresses from the demimonde. Apparently, this gentleman has developed a taste for rarer jewels, and he’s recently been reported to have engaged in a duel over her.
The column went on to talk about Fairfax’s latest liaison and to speculate on why Clifton, Greyson, and Rexford had been so quiet of late. Although, the author did wonder why we’d all chosen to attend Almack’s the other night.
“Well, at least this time she didn’t name me. And unlike her last column, she said nothing about the diamond.”
“That’s hardly a saving grace. Everyone will know she’s talking about you because she went on to talk about the rest of us.”
“She didn’t mention you.” I was grasping at straws, and we both knew it.
“I’ve never had a mistress. It’s clear she was talking about you.”
I massaged my temples, feeling a headache beginning to form. “What a nightmare.”
Moreland leaned against the wall. “No one was surprised by your interest in Miss Edwards. She’s beautiful and they’ve seen you together. But the duel?” He shook his head. “Everyone will be speculating about the reason why you were called out.”
I struggled to keep my anger in check. I’d hoped that no one would learn about the duel. Were the servants being paid to share secrets about us? Our carriage drivers? Or the maid Caroline had brought with her then abandoned?
I wanted to call on Caroline, but I didn’t know whether it would be wise to add fuel to the fire.
“I must say,” Moreland said, “I find it interesting to be on the other side of this situation.”
I raised a brow. “The other side?”
He nodded toward the newspaper. “Watching one of you fall under the enchantment of a young woman.”
I bristled immediately. “I am not enchanted by her.”
His gaze was steady. “But you did fight a duel over her.”
“Of course. I wasn’t about to let Penham gain the upper hand there. Any of you would have done the same.”
“Perhaps,” Moreland said. “He always was a bit of a toad at school. And I must say, he hasn’t improved with age. But to duel over a woman?”
I stiffened. “You had no problem rushing to a woman’s aid when Rexford asked.”
Moreland winced. “I have to admit that I was intrigued by her the moment I saw her here that first day.”
I said nothing, but I could well understand what Moreland was talking about. I’d felt the same way when I met Caroline. She had a beauty that was unparalleled, but what had struck me most about her was her intelligence. And that she wasn’t singularly focused on ensnaring a husband.
“What should I do? I’m not sure it’s wise to go to her. But if she’s seen this, she will be upset. Perhaps I should stay away from her. Allow time for the speculation to pass.” I hated that notion even as the words left my lips.
“Kendrick.”
I turned to see that Rexford had approached from the other side. I’d been so intent on what I should do about Caroline that I hadn’t noticed him until he was upon us. “I suppose you saw the article.”
Rexford nodded. “Yes. And we need to talk.”
I narrowed my gaze. He seemed particularly serious today. “About this column?”
“No,” Rexford said. “About Miss Edwards. I’ve been keeping an eye on things after that whole situation unfolded with respect to Weston’s actions here that night.”
A heavy weight settled in the pit of my stomach. “And?”
Rexford’s gaze was unrelenting. “I think Miss Edwards might be in danger.”
My alarm intensified. “From whom? Penham?”
“And her brother. Word is it that Weston is growing desperate. He needs his sister to marry Penham.”
“Fuck.” I was going to kill the two of them.
Moreland clapped me on the shoulder. “Let’s go.”
I had no idea how I could help, but Rexford wasn’t one to overreact. If he thought Caroline was in danger, the threat was real.
I nodded, pleased that I would have Moreland at my side. If a physical altercation broke out, he was the best fighter among us.