Page 19 of A Wallflower Demands Satisfaction
“What?”Alice had nearly drifted off to sleep but jolted awake at the words, “tin man.”
“He claims to own tin mines in Cornwall, but I’ve never seen him leave London.He’s a member of Percy’s club, White’s.”El’s face took on a speculative look.“The true source of his income is somewhat of a mystery.Percy can’t make out how a man with so little land could have accumulated so much wealth.”
“Surely you have something on him through Goodrum’s.”Alice gave her a questioning look.
“He never comes to Goodrum’s, and I’ve never heard of him gambling at anyone else’s tables either.A very strange sort of bird.”El shook her head.“I hope Olivia’s not too tired to stand up for herself if he’s too boring, or controlling.I don’t like his attitude.”
“Oh, we have a signal set up.”
“A signal?”Lady Camilla peered at Alice with interest.
“Of course.It’s one of the unshakeable laws of being a wallflower.You have to let your friends know you need help with a pre-arranged signal.”
“And what did you and Olivia settle on?”El leaned close
“She said she’s going to wiggle three fingers behind her back to summon the cavalry.”
Lady Camilla gave out a throaty giggle.“Then we shall have to send Captain Atherton to the rescue.”
They stared out onto the floor at the same time, but Olivia was still dancing, no finger wiggling in sight.
* * *
Willand the duke stood with the door cracked open at the entrance to the servants’ passageway and spied on the dancers out on the floor.
“Who is that man?”Will’s tone came out sharper than he’d intended.
“A bit of a mystery.He’s a member at White’s, keeps himself to himself.He presents like a gentleman with a great deal of wealth, but the only thing anyone knows about him is he has a tin mine out in Cornwall.The price of tin being what it is, that line of business is hardly the way for a man to live like a nabob who made a fortune in India.”
Will said nothing, but he felt as though his entire insides were turning to ice.He had no claim on Olivia.He had no right to influence whatever choice she’d make, but he’d be damned if he’d let her go to some sneaksby.
His Grace was quiet for a long time before adding as an afterthought: “You won’t say anything to Her Grace about our little talks today…will you?”
It was all Will could to do to keep from laughing.One of the most powerful men in the kingdom was terrified of his wife.But then not many men would be up to the task of being married to the fearsome Duchess of Chelmsford, otherwise known as Captain Eleanor Goodrum Whitcombe, proprietress of the infamous Goodrum’s House of Pleasure.
* * *
Olivia hadconcerns of her own.Against her better judgment, she allowed herself to be led into supper by the obnoxious Lord Reynolds.She wistfully recalled the lighthearted conversation with Alice about the perils of wallflowers.She fairly itched to wiggle three fingers behind her back.She knew the legion of gentlemen who attended Lady Camilla would come charging to her defense.
However, she was certain the lizard of a man escorting her would not flinch at publicly condemning her as the bastard daughter of a famous opera singer.The damage he could do to her was nothing compared to what would happen to the duke and duchess.After all, they’d made up a Banbury tale about her being Percy’s niece.And then there was the ethereally beautiful opera singer she’d observed what now seemed a lifetime ago.She did not feel any kinship with the woman, but she knew instinctively the scandal he could spawn in the middle of her coming-out ball would probably destroy Miss Villeneuve’s career as well.
She gave the him a sideways glance.She wished there were something she could do to stop him.Unfortunately, no poison appeared to be at hand that she could slip into his food.
Once she was seated at one of the small tables for supper, he fetched a plate of a wide assortment of delicacies from the buffet table.He’d no sooner than returned with their plates than her “Uncle” Percy glided up.
Lord Reynolds, who had just sat down, leapt up again.“Your Grace.”He nodded in deference to the duke.
“Lord Reynolds…I trust you’re enjoying yourself?”
“Yes, of course, and the company.”The baron gave Olivia a fond look.
“Well, carry on.”The duke paused for a moment before adding, “Olivia, you’re looking a bit tired.Is it possible you’ve enjoyed the dancing a little too much?”
She gave the duke a blank stare, hoping to the gods she didn’t give away her abject fear.
“Perhaps you might want to retire a bit before dawn?”
“You’re right.I’ll consider slowing down after supper.Thank you so much for all your kindness and providing all this.”She spread her arms wide, encompassing the beautifully set supper buffet and the masses of fragrant flowers brought in from their country estate.