Page 70 of To Pleasure a Prince

They rode the rest of the way in silence, that promise hanging in the air between them. She considered telling him the truth, but it was too shameful to admit, especially if they were parting ways. And if they weren’t…she would cross that bridge when she came to it.

As they approached Almack’s, she grew heartened by the lack of a crowd outside. Only a single carriage was there, taking on passengers. But her relief lasted just until she recognized the carriage’s ducal crest.

Marcus’s coach had barely halted when the door was flung open by none other than her brother. His face was alight with anger.

“Come out here, you blackguard!” he roared at Marcus.

“Gladly.” As Marcus disembarked, he shot her a glance that said he would be true to his word.

Despite everything, her heart leaped at the thought. Ignoring her brother, who fumed beside him, Marcus helped her out as if nothing were wrong. That seemed enough to convince her brother that she’d gone willingly.

“Damn you, Regina,” Simon growled. “How could you behave so foolishly?”

“It seemed the only thing to do at the time,” she retorted, oddly giddy now that the worst had happened.

A small smile touched Marcus’s lips, but Simon turned livid. “This is not a joking matter—”

“Leave her be,” Marcus put in firmly. “She’s not at fault for this.”

“Damned right she’s not,” Simon snapped.“Youare at fault, and you will be the one to make this right, or I swear I’ll see you at dawn in Leicester Fields.”

“Don’t be silly, Simon—” Regina began.

“Marcus!” cried a voice beyond them. Louisa clambered out of the other carriage and ran toward them.

It was Marcus’s turn to be livid. “Damn it, Louisa, what are you doing going off alone with this devil?”

“Not alone,” Simon retorted. “Cicely?”

Cicely stuck her head out of the carriage. “Yes?”

Simon smiled grimly at Marcus.“Ihad the good sense to take a chaperone.”

“We were just going to look for you and Regina,” Louisa said in a breathless rush. “Miss Tremaine was worried and—”

“Where are the Iversleys?” Marcus interrupted. “They’re supposed to be your chaperones.”

“We couldn’t find them,” Louisa said. “And anyway, Miss Tremaine was perfectly suitable—”

“For Foxmoor’s needs, yes.” Marcus glowered at Simon even more fiercely. “You knew Miss Tremaine would turn a blind eye if you made a stop at…say…Carlton House.”

“Carlton House?” Louisa put in. “What are you talking about?”

“Nothing,” Simon said hastily. Too hastily.

Regina eyed her brother with suspicion.

He ignored her. “Stop trying to deflect attention from your own misbehavior, Draker. I want to know what you plan to do about this insult to my sister.”

Marcus took Regina’s hand. “Regina and I will marry. We’ve already discussed it.”

“How wonderful!” Louisa cried.

Although Cicely looked panicked, a calculated smile touched Simon’s lips. “Good. I’ll make the arrangements.”

“I’llmake the arrangements,” Marcus countered. “If you’ll tell me your solicitor’s name, I’ll—”

“Wait!” Regina cried. This was all going so fast. And her conversation with Marcus in the carriage had unsettled her more than she’d expected.