Chapter Nineteen
“Next time you lend me the use of your house, have the decency to warn me you might visit with a whole entourage in tow.” Ross Sandford, Marquess of Trevane, known to all as Vane, brushed his hair back from his brow. “How the hell do you sleep when they make such a racket?”
“I would hardly call two children and a housekeeper an entourage.” Christian scanned the sea of heads looking for Rose. “Be thankful my son likes you else you might wake in the morning to find those ebony locks scattered about the bedchamber floor.”
Vane snorted. “Only your son would have the nerve to attack a man twice his size.”
“Is that supposed to be a compliment?”
“Were you not the only boy in school to put Haystack Henry on his arse?”
Christian chuckled. “Someone had to fight for those too weak to defend themselves.”
Two ladies sauntered past, their eyes glistening as they feasted on Vane’s masculine form.
Vane observed the crowd and turned to Christian. “Good God, if it weren’t for you I’d be at home.” The words burst through gritted teeth. “Do you see what you’ve done to me? Every lady with loose morals wants to eat me alive.”
“And all the rakes and rogues have rushed to hide behind the curtains, trembling with fear.”
Vane raised a brow. “You’re the only man who could make light of my situation and not get thumped.”
“I meant nothing other than I admire your ability to deal with scoundrels in the only manner fitting.” It had taken every ounce of strength Christian possessed not to beat the reverend to a pulp. “Of late, my method for dealing with vermin is to pretend they’re not there until they’ve eaten a hole in my breeches.”
Vane offered his arm to his sister, Lillian, and they stepped into the ballroom amid shocked glances and excited whispers. “You have to convey a respectable demeanour. You have children to consider. I have none. It makes a vast difference.” Vane’s mouth twitched at the corners. “But I’d rather not see your bare behind if it’s all the same.”
“You don’t know what you’re missing.”
“I’ve seen your pert buttocks more times than I care to count. May I suggest you save that pleasure for your lady love when we find her?”
Lord Warner’s ball was just one event on a long list of possible places Rose might be. But a spark of energy in the air stirred Christian’s senses, and he knew with certainty that he’d come to the right place.
“Had you sent me round to question Stanton’s butler,” Vane said, “I doubt he’d have remained tight-lipped for long.”
Lillian chuckled. “My brother is renowned for his powers of persuasion.”
Christian had to admit to being shocked when he called to see Rose, only to discover she’d gone to a ball. After a brief tussle with his pride, he understood the earl’s urgency to introduce Rose back into society.
“Is that why you insisted on coming with me? Did you hope to persuade the lady to give me another chance?”
“I came because I had no desire to spend the next few days listening to you pining for your lost love. Someone had to make sure you didn’t throw yourself in the Thames in a fit of desperation.”
Christian appreciated his friend’s directness. He’d always been able to talk to Vane. Despite years of separation, the conversation felt natural. And Vane never lied.
“Trust me. I’d have barged into every ball and soiree until I found her.” He’d thought of nothing else since the night she’d left Everleigh. He couldn’t forget the words she’d whispered before running from the drawing room and out of his life. Rose’s safety was his primary concern, and Dr Taylor’s timely visit to London proved worrying.
“I think it’s rather sweet,” Lillian said, her eyes wide and bright. Most ladies who’d suffered as she had would hang their head in shame. But then most ladies did not have Vane for a brother. “You must care for the lady a great deal. Is this not the first time you’ve been to town in years?”
“Like your brother, there is nothing here for me now. I’m only grateful you’re receiving invitations else we’d still be loitering on the front steps.”
Vane cast him a sidelong glance and winked. “What makes you think I had an invitation?”
“But this is the third ball we’ve attended tonight. Our hosts waved us in without a bye or leave.”
“I don’t need an invitation, Farleigh. No sane gentleman would dare question my right to be here.” Vane gave a weary sigh. “Now, I shall take Lillian for a stroll in the garden while you search for your lady. I find I’m somewhat blind when it comes to noticing debutantes and so will be no use to you now.”
Debutantes? By society’s standards, Rose was his mistress. “I’ll come and find you when it’s time to leave.”
Vane inclined his head and proceeded towards the doors leading out onto the terrace. God help anyone who made the slightest comment about his sister. Christian was surprised Lillian had come. But the siblings had spent two years abroad, and Lillian was not one for hiding in the shadows. Vane sought any opportunity to ruffle the feathers of those who dared look down their nose at her.