A Daring Liaison(35)

Carlington had had some great disappointment in love, according to the rumor mill. Charles was beginning to suspect just what that disappointment had been. He gave his brother-in-law another quelling look. Travis was discreet to a fault. If he caught on to Charles’s ploy, he would not say anything.

“I am curious about what you meant when you said that Mrs. Huffington’s reputation preceded her,” he said.

Carlington looked chagrined. He raised his glass and took a drink before he spoke. “I have watched Mrs. Huffington from afar. I knew her guardian, you see. Lady Caroline Betman. Lovely woman. For her sake I’ve kept my eye on the girl since Lady Caroline brought her home. I had not met Mrs. Huffington’s mother, but I knew a great many of Caro—Lady Caroline’s friends. She certainly is a beauty.”

“I think so,” Charles admitted.

Travis put his glass down on a side table. “Charles has just announced to the family that he and Mrs. Huffington intend to marry.”

Carlington’s eyebrows shot up. “Indeed? Well, that is very interesting.” The older man grinned. “I had not known that you have a death wish, Hunter.”

Charles laughed. “Go on. Tweak me all you want. It won’t change a thing.”

“I am glad to see you have a sense of humor about this.” Carlington laughed. “I hazard you are going to need it.”

Charles grinned and steered the conversation back to his original purpose. “Then you knew Mrs. Huffington’s guardian well?”

Carlington sighed. “It is a little-known fact that she and I were on the verge of betrothal. Her father and mine were in accord that it was a good match. There seemed to be no impediment.”

“What happened?” Travis asked, and Charles made a mental note to thank him.

“One night we were dancing and laughing, the next she was gone. The first thing I heard was that she’d had a tragic accident that had left her scarred. Her father swept her back to Kent and she declared she would not return to London. She begged I would not hate her for her change of mind. I couldn’t hate her, of course. I only wish she’d allowed me to visit.”

Charles recalled those shocking scars. He could well understand Lady Caroline’s reticence. She could never have been the sort of wife a man in Lord Carlington’s position needed—a public hostess, the mother to the Carlington heir, a force in London society. And her pride would have prevented her from allowing Carlington to see her in such a condition.

“But when you have a moment, Hunter, bring Mrs. Huffington to me for a visit. I would very much like to hear about Lady Caroline’s life. I always imagined she’d found a way to fill it when she took in her goddaughter.”

“I shall. I believe she would enjoy talking to someone who knew Lady Caroline.”

* * *

So that was Lord Carlington. From across the room, Georgiana watched the handsome man with silvery-gray hair—the very same man to whom she would deliver a packet from her aunt. The man who had caused Aunt Caroline to sigh whenever his name was mentioned. The man who might hold the secret to what had happened to Aunt Caroline all those years ago.

“You seem distracted, Georgiana,” Lady Sarah said.

“It is just that I almost feel as if I know Lord Carlington. I heard my aunt mention him on occasion and with a great deal of respect.”

“He is a very good man from what I hear,” she agreed.

“Is he married?”

“I do not believe so. I’ve never met a Lady Carlington.”

Had he remained single because of Aunt Caroline? It was quite unusual for a man in his position—a man who should be providing an heir for his title—not to marry. Or was he simply not inclined toward matrimony?

“Georgiana, may we speak frankly?”

She suspected what was coming. Questions about her relationship with Charles. “Of course.”

Sarah took her hand and led her to a small settee on one side of the ballroom. “I want you to know that I...I have reservations about your engagement. Please understand that it has nothing to do with you. But, well, I suppose it does, in a way. Until we find out what is behind your ill fortune with husbands, do you really think it is...ah, prudent to be announcing yet another engagement?”

Georgiana sighed. “Not prudent in the least. And I have begged Charles to delay the announcement, but he is determined. He thinks it will be a help to me. He means to draw out the villain, if there is one. Believe me, I have warned him, begged him, threatened him. I have sworn that I will not marry him at all. But he intends to go through with this, no matter what my wishes are in the matter.”