Page 25 of Fortune Favors the Frivolous (Matchmaking Mischief Makers #2)

Caroline bit her lip and a sudden flare of rage lit her from within as she glanced from Henry and the young lady towards…

Towards whoever had set Henry up. It took all her willpower not to hurl herself at Lord Windermere when she saw his satisfied countenance. A satisfaction Mrs. Pike clearly shared. No, Caroline was not imagining it. This was all part of some grand design to further their ends, she was sure of it.

Across the room, Charlotte broke away from Barnaby and hurried over, joining their small group as the orchestra struck up another dance, their attempt to restore normalcy failing as dancers hesitated to take their places.

“Henry, what is Barnaby talking about? He says—” She stopped, biting her lip, her eyes darting nervously between her brother and the mysterious woman.

“I’ve never laid eyes on her in my life!” Henry muttered, taking a step back from the young lady who was clearly hellbent on making a scene.

Caroline put her hand on Charlotte’s forearm and drew her slightly away. “I wouldn’t put much store in anything Barnaby says on the matter,” she said, without thinking.

“How dare you malign my betrothed!” gasped Charlotte before adding in a whisper that was unhelpfully loud, “Barnaby says he’d heard Henry had made payments to this woman’s brother .”

Another surge of frustrated fury coursed through Caroline as she responded. “Hush, Charlotte, people are listening! You are maligning your own brother in public! Without proof!”

Charlotte reddened. “I’m sorry, Caroline. That was ill done of me,” she whispered. “But it’s what Barnaby just told me.”

“Then you’d do well to remember what a decent, upstanding man Henry is, and that such charges should be thoroughly scrutinized in private before you start airing them for all the world to hear!” Caroline hissed before turning on her heel and heading towards her dearest friend, Henry.

Just as the young lady in blue went on in plaintive tones, “Mr. Ashworth, you have wounded me more than you will ever know.”

Caroline watched in horror as the color drained from Henry’s face, while Venetia drew in her breath.

“My dear Miss Playford,” came Lord Windermere’s smooth voice as he appeared beside Venetia. “Your fiancé appears rather occupied at present. Might I suggest some air? You look quite pale.” His tone was solicitous, but his eyes gleamed with calculating triumph.

Caroline took a step forward to intervene, just as Mrs. Pike materialized. “Come away, Venetia! I don’t know what your fiancé has been up to. You must go with Lord Windermere.”

“No, Venetia—” Caroline tried to take her friend’s arm, but Mrs. Pike was already ushering her niece away.

“Henry! Lord Windermere has taken Venetia!” Caroline cried as she pushed her way between the woman in blue and her beloved. “Through the French doors and into the garden. You must go after her.”

But Henry was the center of a hub of interest and activity, and Mrs. Pike, who’d returned, was all but hedging him in as she and now Ladies Pendleton and Townsend rallied around the now sobbing young lady in blue.

Frantically, Caroline cast about for another savior. Her gaze fell upon a familiar face.

“Mr. Rothbury!”

He had obviously gone in search of refreshment, for he was returning with a glass of orgeat and looked deeply reluctant to approach. Who could blame him with such a scene going on?

“My friend Venetia has been taken into the garden by Lord Windermere. You must go after them!” Caroline pleaded as she reached his side.

He stepped back. “I cannot do that.” His gaze darted nervously to the spectacle unfolding around Henry.

“She did not go willingly!”

“She has danced many times with him, Miss Weston.” Mr. Rothbury adjusted his cravat, clearly uncomfortable. “And, as she is betrothed to Mr. Ashworth, I believe it is his duty to intervene.”

“Please, Mr. Rothbury, I beg of you.” Caroline lowered her voice, hoping Mrs. Pike hadn’t heard her, for that woman was uncomfortably near. “You don’t understand what is happening. At least step into the garden so you can reassure me that all is well. Is that too much to ask?”

His eyes widened at her tone. However, her tone was hardly the most scandalous of what was happening.

Caroline would have gone to Venetia’s aid, if only she could have done so without censure. She’d have taken Mr. Rothbury’s arm for a turn about the gardens, but that would be risking her own reputation.

“Please—” Her voice broke with desperation.

“Of course I will do it,” he said, taking a step towards the doors, just as Mrs. Pike moved out of the gathering, her eyes sorrowful as she looked at Henry and said, “Have you broken my niece’s heart, Mr. Ashworth?”

And now Caroline stood alone and seemingly friendless while scandal swirled about them. Henry was being forced to answer questions from the elders in the room—namely Caroline’s mother and Mrs. Pike, though Lady Pendleton was having a field day piling on the questions herself.

What could she do to save him?

She’d disguised herself as a stable lad to pry Venetia away from Lord Windermere, but still she had failed.

She wracked her brains. A young woman had so few resources to hand. And in this crowded ballroom, it appeared she had none.

Unless…

It had been a long time since Caroline had tried this trick. In the schoolroom, she’d perfected it—to the hilarity of those with whom she shared her lessons.

But she’d never tried it in public. After all, what well-brought-up young lady would go to such scandalous lengths to create a scene?

But if ever there were a time to put her skills into action, it was now.

Taking a deep breath, Caroline glanced about her, catching Henry’s eye, and raising one eyebrow—their signal whenever they were about to do something wicked.

She gave him a couple of seconds to turn in her direction and to extricate himself from the young lady in blue who now had a posse of concerned matrons fussing over her, in between scowling at Henry.

Then, putting her hand to her forehead, and breathing out on a small, low—but very audible—wail of distress, Caroline commandeered the attention… and swooned.

The room spun around her as she let herself fall, aware of gasps and cries as she descended in a graceful arc towards the polished floor.