“It sounds like an excellent su
ggestion.” Leonora looked at Alicia. “And it certainly sounds as if your household—boys and all—will fit.”
Alicia studied their faces. There was not the slightest hint that either saw anything in any way remotely socially unacceptable in the notion of her living at Torrington House. In the end, she put her question directly. “You don’t think it will be seen as scandalous—my living there?”
Leonora opened her eyes wide, clearly surprised by the question. “With his cousin in residence, I really can’t see why anyone would disapprove.”
She glanced at Kit, who nodded in agreement.
They both looked at Alicia. She summoned a smile. “I see. Thank you.”
Adriana came in, a stunning breath of fresh air in a frilled gown of white muslin sprigged with blue. “Ready?”
The three ladies seated smiled and rose. Linking arms, they headed for Lady Mott’s.
How he managed to keep his tongue between his teeth Tony didn’t know, but he held his peace on the subject of the move for the entire evening.
Kit helped. She swanned up to him in Lady Humphries’ ballroom and claimed his arm for a waltz. Alicia laughed and waved them away, remaining chatting with a group of others, all sufficiently harmless. Reluctantly, he let Kit lead him to the floor.
“Mission accomplished,” she informed him the instant they were safely revolving. “And I was superbly subtle, I’ll have you know. I didn’t even have to mention it—she asked, and Leonora and I reassured her. We told her it was an excellent idea.”
She smiled at him. “So next time Jack’s being difficult about something, remember—you owe me.”
He humphed and whirled her about, and forbore to mention that if Jack was being difficult about something, he’d almost certainly agree with him. “How did she take it?” he asked when they were once more precessing sedately up the room.
Kit frowned. “I’m not sure, but the impression I got was that her resistance stemmed primarily from a concern that in accepting your invitation she’d be committing some sort of social solecism.” She looked up at him. “She’s more or less on her own, with no older lady to guide her. For what it’s worth, I don’t think her resistance is all that entrenched.”
“Good.”
They spoke no more of it; at the end of the dance, he returned Kit to Jack’s side.
Jack sent a significant glance his way. “I’ll be dropping by that other venue later. I’ll catch up with you tomorrow if I learn anything to the point.”
He’d lowered his voice, directed his words specifically to Tony, yet Kit caught not only the words, but their sub-text. “What point? What other venue?”
Jack looked into her narrowing eyes. “Just a little business matter.”
“Oh? Whose business?” Kit sweetly inquired.
“A. C.’s?”
“Sssh!” Jack glanced around, but there was no one close enough to hear.
Kit saw her advantage and pressed it, drilling one finger into Jack’s chest. “If you imagine you’re going out skulking tonight alone, then you’ll need to promise to inform not just Tony but all of us of anything you discover.”
Curling his hand around hers, Jack scowled at her. “You’ll learn soon enough.”
Kit opened her eyes wide. “When you deign to tell us? Thank you, but no—I much prefer to set a time and place for your revelations.”
Tony nearly choked; he was privy to the story of what had happened in the early days of their marriage, when Jack had refused to tell Kit what he was involved in. Clearly, Kit had not forgotten. From the look on Jack’s face, one of chagrin and uneasy uncertainty, he hadn’t either.
When Jack glanced at him, Kit cut in, “And you needn’t look to Tony for support.” She fixed her violet eyes on him. “He already owes Leonora and me a favor. A very telltale favor.”
In her eyes, he read a threat of doom should he fail to capitulate. He sighed and glanced at Jack. “I was going to suggest the club, but let’s make it my library. What time?”
Jack humphed. “I’ll send word first thing in the morning, once I know what I’ve managed to find.”
Kit beamed at them both. “See? It doesn’t hurt.”