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She glared at him instead of taking it, then she turned and stalked from the room. She wasn’t going to marry anyone, nor was she going to return to Shropshire. There had to be another option.
Fiona just had to discover it.
6
The last thing Tobias wanted to do after the discomfort of sitting through the musicale next to an angry Miss Wingate was visit White’s to have a drink with Aldington. However, doing so was crucial to the rehabilitation of his reputation, and so here he was scanning the room for the earl.
Tobias ignored the cluster of gentlemen surrounding the table in front of the bow window where Brummel held court. Aldington wouldn’t be anywhere near there. When Tobias had visited a few nights ago, Aldington had made a point to disdain the spectacle that often clustered around Brummel. It had briefly occurred to Tobias that Aldington might actually prefer the more casual atmosphere of the Phoenix Club where no one behaved sycophantically.
“Here again, Overton?”
Turning his head at the sound of his name, Tobias inwardly cringed at seeing Philip Trowley. Outwardly, he summoned a bland smile. “Evening, Trowley.”
The older man stroked his hand over his rotund belly as he moved closer to Tobias. “I was just mocking a wager someonehad entered about you marrying by Easter. Who would take that bet?” He chortled loudly, drawing the attention of others around them.
“I haven’t looked at the betting book,” Tobias said with a patience he only barely possessed.
“Coming here twice in one week after so long an absence following your fall from grace… I daresay you are trying to improve your reputation so as to make the best possible match.” He sidled closer, lowering his voice as his madeira-soaked breath wafted over Tobias. “Tell me, is that true?”
“Perhaps I’m here to forge political connections,” Tobias replied mildly as he took care not to breathe through his nose. “I’m new to the Lords, and I’m taking my new position rather seriously.”
Trowley stared at Tobias a moment, seemingly at a loss for words. Then he erupted in laughter once more and smacked Tobias on the back hard enough that he had to grind his heels into the floor to keep from pitching forward. “You almost had me! I’m for the betting book.” He took himself off, tottering a bit uncertainly.
Exhaling, Tobias turned and continued his search for Aldington. At last, he caught sight of the man at a table near the corner. As with the last time Tobias had visited—just four days before—the earl was alone.
“Evening, Aldington,” Tobias greeted him pleasantly. “Mind if I join you?”
The earl’s hazel eyes narrowed slightly as he looked up at Tobias. “You’re here again?”
“Yes. I am a member.” Tobias sat down, and a footman immediately offered him a glass of port, which Tobias accepted.
“Who hasn’t visited White’s in years until a few nights ago.” He sipped his port, peering dubiously at Tobias over the rim of his glass. “And you sought me out then too.”
“Because I intended to. Did I not tell you at the Edgemont ball that I would meet you for a drink here?”
Aldington set his glass down. “You did. What’s your reason tonight?” Though he didn’t bear a strong resemblance to his younger brother, they shared the same hooded eye shape and thick brows, which could work in concert to make them appear both devilishly handsome and uncomfortably intimidating. Aldington was currently the latter.
The truth was not only boring; it wasn’t something Tobias wanted to admit, particularly since others were wagering on his behavior. Instead, he broached a topic that was also important. “I wanted to speak with you about Lady Cassandra. She took my ward into the ladies’ gaming room this evening.”
“Yes, I did learn my sister was in there. While I don’t personally find that to be an acceptable activity for an unwed lady, it is not my place to instruct her. Our aunt is managing such things.”
“Yes, well, she even funded my ward’s participation. Miss Wingate is not the daughter of a duke whose debut has been anticipated for several years. She’s a...” Tobias stumbled over his words. He’d been about to say she was a provincial miss from the middle of nowhere, but that was grossly inadequate, as well as unfair. She didn’t deserve to be described in a way that would demand certain expectations of her. “Miss Wingate is new to London and is trying to make her very best impression.”
“I understand. However, entering a gaming room is probably not the best impression.”
Tobias nearly scowled but schooled his features into a serene expression. “No, which is why I’d like your sister—my ward’s newest and apparently dearest friend—to guide her more appropriately.”
“You can’t expect Cassandra to act in the manner of companion or chaperone, let alone sponsor. Isn’t Lady Pickeringmanaging your ward? I should think she’d be more than up to the challenge of bringing a country miss to heel.”
Gritting his teeth, Tobias curled his hand around the stem of his glass. “She’s not a dog, Aldington.”
“Of course not. My apologies.” Aldington exhaled and took another drink of port. “The musicale gave me a headache, I’m afraid. I would not have bothered to go if Cassandra wasn’t having her Season. Deuced annoying to shepherd these young women, but it’s our duty, alas.” He fixed his gaze on Tobias. “I imagine it must be even more frustrating for you since your ward isn’t even a relation. How did she come to be your ward anyway?”
Tobias had been frustrated upon learning he had a ward, but he wasn’t anymore. He liked Miss Wingate, even if she had…frustrated him this evening. “She was my father’s ward. Her father was a dear friend of his.”
“I will speak with Cassandra and encourage her to be mindful of her new friend and their differences as to how Society might view them and their behavior.”
“I do appreciate that, thank you.” Tobias lifted his glass in a toast before taking a drink.