Chapter 5 #2
“Somehow I doubt that.” His gaze flicked back to hers. “But I will allow you to keep that to yourself…for now.”
Vivy lifted her shoulder with practiced carelessness. “How considerate of you.”
“I am nothing but kindness,” he replied nonchalantly. “It’s what I am known for.”
Vivy rolled her eyes. That was not what most people thought about when they regarded Viscount Slothington. His sarcasm was legendary. Suddenly, he stood straighter and glanced past her.
Vivy stilled and then slowly turned. Across the lawn, moving with ease, the Earl of Ravenwood headed in their direction.
He wore a dark coat with an immaculately tied cravat.
His brown hair caught the sunlight that emphasized the highlights in his luxurious locks.
His hazel eyes looked more green than gold today.
He stopped briefly, and then he looked, for one jolting heartbeat, directly at Lavinia.
Her stomach dipped. Slothington’s tone turned faintly dry. “Speaking of thunderstorms…”
Posy’s smile turned bright, delighted, and entirely unhelpful. “Vivy,” she whispered, “he is looking straight at you.” Then to her horror, her friend winked. Drat…
Vivy’s pulse skittered, but she kept her expression composed, her shoulders relaxed, and her smile perfectly polite. As if she had not just asked about him and had not just been caught tugging at the very thread she feared would unravel her world.
Ravenwood approached and Vivy had the sudden, sinking certainty fill her, that whatever game she thought she was playing…he had been playing it far longer, and he had outplayed her. When he approached, she might have to rethink everything, and wouldn’t that be devastating.
Garden parties were simply ballrooms set outdoors, and Dash hated everything about them.
All of it was too bright and too open for his peace of mind.
The grass was scrunched beneath his boots, and the sun hit his eyes at inconvenient angles.
The people were the worst… They had the gall to pretend that nothing wicked ever happened beneath blue skies and all would remain perfect in their tidy little worlds.
Here for the elite, war didn’t touch them and nothing terrible existed.
They were all wrong...and right in their own ways.
Why should they believe anything else when their lives revolved around parties and gaiety?
Dash knew better though. Devilry could happen at any time and in any place.
But he had not come to think about all the ways he hated garden parties.
Truthfully, he hated all social engagements.
But he attended because they could be useful.
Today’s soiree meant he could spend more time with Lady Lavinia.
He found her quickly, but he took the time to observe everyone in attendance.
His first priority was her safety. She stood near the ornamental pond with Viscount Slothington and Lady Persephone Sedgewick.
He was not happy to find her in Slothington’s company.
He was an agent with the Lion Watch, but he was a bit of an arse.
Though she seemed on friendly terms with the man’s sister so perhaps that made his company more tolerable.
He moved closer at a measured pace. He had been watching her long enough.
Dash wanted to talk to her and that meant inserting himself into their conversation.
Dash inclined his head at Sothy’s sister first, because she was beloved by half the ton and would flay him with words if he took a misstep.
Like her brother she had a wicked tongue and clever mind—even if her intelligence made her appear scatter-brained. “Miss Sedgewick.”
“My lord,” she said brightly. “How lovely to see you in the sunshine. It is almost shocking.”
“It shocks me as well,” Dash returned dryly. “There are many things I’d rather be doing than attend a garden party.”
Posy giggled. Slothington’s mouth twitched. He knew the man. He had thoughts and he was barely suppressing the words from spilling off of his tongue. Thankfully, he kept them to himself. Dash did not need him to add to his agitation. Dash turned to Lavinia. “Lady Lavinia,” he said in a smooth tone.
Her smile was perfect…too perfect. “My lord,” she replied, and there was an edge beneath the sweetness that told him she remembered every word from the last ball. It also told him she was still unhappy with him.
Slothington’s tone was like mild poison. “We were just discussing you.”
“How unfortunate for everyone involved,” Dash replied. Perhaps he had silently sent his thanks too soon.
Lavinia grinned. There was a wickedness there that made him anxious. What was she up to? “I merely asked a question,” she said.
Dash kept his gaze on hers. “You have been asking too many questions lately.”
Slothington arched a brow, faintly amused. “Have you? I had not noticed.”
Dash did not glance away. “It matters not what you noticed, Slothy.”
He wished he did not have to attend social functions to speak with Lavinia.
If he paid a call on her then her mother would believe he had other expectations.
His attentions at balls had already been noticed and before long they would start to believe he was courting her.
Did she already believe that was his intentions? What would he do if she did?
Lavinia lifted her chin and glared at Dash. “Perhaps you should be less attentive.”
“Perhaps you should be less reckless,” Dash said, nearly growling out the words.
Posy made a small, delicate cough as if she wished to remind them, they were not alone. He did not even glance in her direction. As long as she wasn’t directing her full attention in him, he could continue to do that to.
Slothington flicked his gaze between them. “Tread carefully,” he told Lavinia.
This was starting to become beyond ridiculous. He wanted a few moments alone with Lavinia. But it appeared as if he was not going to get that time. He glared at Slothington, but the man was not moving. Perhaps he had to be more blunt…
Dash’s voice turned even colder. “You should leave.”
“And deprive myself of this?” Slothington sighed theatrically. “I think not.”
Lavinia’s smile returned, sharp as a pin. “We were having a pleasant conversation before you arrived, my lord. Perhaps it is you that should leave.”
Dash narrowed his gaze. “Nice try, darling. But I am not going anywhere.” He had to remove her from the company of Slothington and his sister. What would it take for her to go someplace else with him? He stepped closer to Lavinia and lowered his voice. “Walk with me.”
Lavinia raised a brow. “Excuse me?”
“Walk,” Dash repeated in a tone too controlled to be gentle. “Now.”
She met his gaze and then said in a stubborn tone, “No.”
“Yes.” He forced the word through his teeth like a man swallowing broken glass. “I would like to speak to you without half the ton listening.”
Slothington’s eyes sharpened at that. Posy’s smile faltered. Lavinia snapped her attention to Dash. Then, slowly, she offered her arm with deliberate grace, as if she were doing him a favor rather than yielding. “Very well.”
Posy leaned in and whispered, “Be nice.”
Lavinia murmured back, “No promises.”
Dash guided her along the gravel path toward a quieter stretch of garden. His vigilance did not ease. He felt the weight of Lavinia’s curiosity beside him like a second heartbeat.
“You were speaking to Slothington,” he said, clipped. “Why?”
“I was speaking with my friend, Slothington just happened to be with her,” she retorted. “Why are you being an arse?”
Dash did not dignify that with an answer, because at that moment a figure approached from the far path.
His hands were clasped behind his back, and he had a pleasant smile on his face…
the Marquess of Everington. He had the disposition of most of the gentleman in attendance at this party.
It was precisely why people trusted him.
He seemed harmless and frivolous, but Dash knew better.
Everington’s steps slowed when he noticed Dash. Genuine surprise flickered across his face. “Ravenwood,” he said. “I did not expect to find you here.”
Dash kept his tone neutral. “I could say the same.”
Everington laughed lightly, but there was caution beneath it. He slid his gaze to Lavinia. “I do not believe we have been introduced.”
“My lord,” Lavinia replied with a curtsy. “We have not. I am Lady Lavinia Ellsworth”
Everington offered her a charming smile—the sort that usually melted ladies into charmed nonsense. “Lord Everington,” he offered her his name. “It’s a pleasure.”
Lavinia only looked at him thoughtfully, as if she were cataloguing his expression rather than admiring it. Dash’s unease sharpened into something colder. Lavinia turned her head slightly, and then asked, as though the question were casual. “My lord, have you ever traveled to the Continent?”
Everington’s smile froze—only for an instant, but Dash saw it. He wondered why she had asked him that, and Dash could not blame him. What was she up to now? “I have traveled,” he said smoothly. “London can grow… tedious.”
“How fortunate,” Lavinia replied, her voice gentle. “To have that luxury. I’ve always wished to travel.”
Dash felt his blood turn to ice. Everington’s eyes narrowed a fraction, his gaze darting to Dash with sharp, silent inquiry. Dash Kept his expression composed by sheer force.
Lavinia continued, as if she were speaking of art collections. “Did you enjoy France? I have heard Paris is quite fashionable.”
“I am afraid I have not visited in a while.” Everington’s smile returned, but it no longer reached his eyes. “France is tedious at the moment…too much violence for my taste.”
Lavinia’s eyes widened in mock innocence. “I suppose that is true. Did you know Lord Ravenwood just returned from living through that viciousness?”
Everington’s gaze flicked briefly toward Dash and then back to Lavinia. “I did...”
Dash stepped subtly closer to Lavinia and then said in a low tone, “That is enough. I do not wish to speak of the war.”
Lavinia looked up at him with a defiant look in her eyes. “Why? Are you hiding something?”
Everington cleared his throat, his tone smoothing again into polite charm. “If you will excuse me. I promised Lady Cresswell a walk.”
“Of course,” Lavinia said, pleasantly. “Enjoy your day, my lord.”
Everington bowed and moved away—smiling for anyone who watched but walking away at a quicker pace than he normally would have. Dash waited until Everington was out of earshot. Then he turned to Lavinia fully, his voice dropping dangerously quiet.
“What,” he demanded, “do you hope to gain by these questions?”
Lavinia blinked, as if surprised he had noticed anything at all. “To learn about you of course.”
“Why,” Dash said, control fraying at the edges. “do you care?”
Her eyes flared. “I would like to understand your motivations. It is as simple as that.”
“You are not simply doing anything,” Dash replied.
Silence snapped between them, taut and bright. Then Lavinia lifted her chin, that stubborn courage returning. “Perhaps,” she said softly, “you should just tell me the truth.”
Dash’s chest tightened. Dash stared at her for a long beat. Then, with controlled urgency, he said, “Come with me.”
“Where?” she demanded.
“Somewhere private,” Dash replied. “And you are going to tell me exactly what you are doing—before your curiosity gets you hurt.” She did not fool him.
This was not just about knowing him. She was digging for information, and he was only part of the answers she sought.
As he guided her toward the shadow of the hedges, one thought hammered through his mind with relentless clarity.
Lavinia Ellsworth knew something and if the wrong person learned that…they might ensure she never spoke again.