“M
r Daventry is not a rogue.”
“And neither is Mr Wycliff.” The lady tugged her long white gloves up past her elbows and then offered her hand. “Now, while the men talk of threats and violence, let us speak calmly and honestly. Walk with me.”
Sybil hesitated. But what choice did she have?
She linked arms with the lady—once known as the Scarlet Widow throughout the ton—and they descended the stairs.
“Mr Daventry will never commit to one woman,” Mrs Wycliff said, leading Sybil through the hall towards the supper room. “The man lacks integrity. His only interest is his latest conquest.”
Sybil stiffened. “Did people not say the same about Mr Wycliff once?”
“They did,” the lady had to admit.
“And yet I have never seen a man as loyal or committed.”
Mrs Wycliff gave a satisfied sigh. “Damian is everything a woman could ask for in a husband.”
“And do you not credit me with your intelligence, Mrs Wycliff? I am capable of discerning Mr Daventry’s character and deciding if he is suitable company.”
If only she could offer examples of his resounding loyalty.
If only she could explain how he strived to keep his vow.
“Are you in love with him?” Mrs Wycliff asked bluntly. “Everyone believes you hardly know one another. I’m not convinced. As Mr Daventry strode towards the stairs with my husband, he said that protecting you was his priority.”
Sybil shrugged. “What can I say? The man you think you know is nothing like the real man behind the façade. Mr Daventry saved my life.”
Mrs Wycliff snatched two glasses of champagne from the footman’s tray and handed one to Sybil. “You didn’t answer my question, Miss Atwood. Are you in love with Mr Daventry?”
The memory of Lucius’ hard body pressing her against the bookcase left her breathless. The memory of him stalking around the dance floor, all dark and devilish, sent delicious shivers to her toes. She trusted him implicitly. Admired his mind. Lusted after his body.
But love?
“I don’t know. Love develops over time,” she answered truthfully before sipping her champagne. “But I have the utmost respect for him, would defend him with my last breath.”
That seemed to satisfy Mrs Wycliff, whose assured smile remained constant even while drinking her champagne. “Love can happen in an instant. For me, it happened over the course of three days. I knew I loved Damian the moment I realised I saw him as no one else did. The road was rather bumpy after that, but one cannot fight against the power of true love.”
Mrs Wycliff’s words struck a chord with Sybil.
“Now,” the lady continued, placing their glasses on the supper table. “Let us find the men before one of them is carted off to Newgate and charged with murder, but not before we have eased Cassandra’s fears.”
A pang of guilt made Sybil sigh. “I shouldn’t have slipped away, not without offering an explanation, but …”
“But you simply had to speak to Mr Daventry, and Benedict would never have let you go alone.”
“Something like that.”
“He sent Damian to search for you. It would have roused suspicion had they been seen scouring the upstairs rooms looking for their charge.”
“After what happened to Cassandra at Lord Craven’s ball, I should have had more consideration for her feelings, but …”
“But when your mind is consumed with thoughts of Mr Daventry, you can think of nothing else.”
Mrs Wycliff was extremely insightful.
“Something like that.”