Page 88 of The Paid Companion

She stepped out into the shadows. She was not alone on the terrace. There were a handful of couples engaged in soft conversations. No one paid any attention to her.

The footman was nowhere to be seen.

She crossed the stone terrace and went down the five broad steps that led to the night-shrouded gardens, trying to look like any other overheated guest who had decided to take the evening air.

A broad circle of large, marble statues loomed directly in front of her. Nothing moved in the deep shadows between the figures.

“Elenora.”

She was so tense that she almost screamed aloud at the unexpected sound of her name.

Spinning around, she saw Jeremy Clyde standing a short distance away.

“Hello, Jeremy.” She snapped her fan closed. “Did you happen to see one of the footmen go past a moment ago?”

“Why the devil would I take notice of a servant?” He scowled, moving quickly toward her. “I saw you come out here and I followed you. I’ve been looking for you. We must talk.”

“I don’t have time to chat.” She picked up her skirts and walked toward the row of statues, searching for some sign of the vanished servant. “Are you certain you did not see the footman? He was in full livery. I’m sure he must have come this way.”

“Devil take it, will you stop blathering on about a footman?” Jeremy hurried after her and seized her bare arm.

Impatiently she tried to get free of his grasp. He did not release her.

“Kindly remove your hand, sir.” They were out of sight of the couples on the terrace, but she knew that voices carried on the night air. She spoke in a sharp whisper. “I do not want you to touch me.”

“Elenora, you must listen to me.”

“I just told you, I don’t have time for this.”

“I came here tonight to find you.” He gave her a small shake. “My darling, I knoweverything.”

Startled, she forgot about his hand and looked up at his face. “What on earth are you talking about?”

He glanced uneasily back toward the terrace and then lowered his voice to a hoarse whisper. “I know that St. Merryn has employed you to be his mistress.”

Shocked, she stared at him. “I have no idea what you mean.”

“He is using you, my darling. He has no intention of marrying you.” Jeremy grunted in disgust. “Evidently you are the only one who does not know the truth.”

“Rubbish. I have no idea what this is all about, nor do I wish to find out. Release me. I must return to the ballroom.”

“Elenora, listen to me. Your name is in all the betting books in every club in St. James tonight.”

She could feel a distinct fluttering in her stomach. “I beg your pardon?”

“Every gentleman in town is placing a wager on what will happen when St. Merryn tires of you.”

“It is common knowledge that some gentlemen will place bets on anything that amuses them,” she said tightly.

“We are talking about yourreputation.It is going to be in tatters soon.”

“When did you develop such a touching concern for my good name?”

“Damnation, Elenora, keep your voice down.” Jeremy glanced around again with an agitated air, assuring himself that there was no one within earshot. He leaned closer. “I would remind you that I am a gentleman. Unlike St. Merryn, I had the decency to protect your reputation while we were engaged.”

“Yes, your gallantry left me speechless, sir.”

He did not appear to notice her sarcastic tone. “St. Merryn, on the other hand, is using you. He intends to toss you aside in the most humiliating manner after parading you around town as his fiancée for a few weeks or months. When he is finished with you, you will be ruined.”