A Dash of Scandal(38)

Perhaps there had been two cards on the floor, and he’d picked up the wrong one. Had he somehow kept the wrong card by mistake? No. The dowager had given him a blank card and he had written in a few names for the dances himself. He turned the card over again.

He’d only seen Miss Blair’s writing once before, at a distance that first night he saw her, but the writing seemed to be the same beautiful script. He put the card to his nose and inhaled. Oh, yes, it was Miss Blair’s.

He studied it for a moment, trying to figure out a logical explanation. Maybe because she was new in Town she was making notes about people to help her remember their names. Considering the number of people in Society, that was highly possible.

Chandler took an easy breath. Yes, that did sound plausible. She didn’t grow up in London, so she might have difficulty remembering young ladies and titled gentlemen. That had to be the reason she was making notes. How could he have ever suspected she might be an accomplice to the Mad Ton Thief just because she arrived in Town about the time the thief had arrived?

Relief washed through him. Millicent had nothing to do with the robber.

He had obviously wanted to recover the raven so badly that his mind was going wild with possibilities. Now that Doulton had added security at all the parties, maybe they’d catch the thief in the act. And perhaps he should ask to look over the information that Doulton had received so far. He wasn’t sure he trusted the man not to miss something important.

Chandler put the card back in his pocket. The evening was already spent. He’d go home and—

“You’ve been avoiding us, Dunraven.”

Damnation! Andrew and Fines. One at each elbow. Suddenly his two best friends were feeling decidedly like his two worst enemies. He didn’t want to talk to them right now. He wanted to hurry to the privacy of his home and reread Miss Blair’s writings.

“We thought we’d head over to White’s for a game and a drink? Come join us.”

“Not tonight, fellows. Some other time. I was just on my way—”

“We think it’s best that you leave right now,” Fines said and took him by one arm. Andrew took hold of the other and they started leading him toward the doorway.

Chandler pulled his arms away from their grasp and stopped. “Damnation! What the hell are you two trying to do? I bloody well don’t need an escort.”

“We’re trying to keep you out of trouble,” Fines said, looking him directly in the eyes. “Keep walking. I just ran into Lady Lambsbeth. I’m sure she is the last person you want to see tonight.”

“Especially after the rather playful conversation you just had with Miss Blair,” Andrew said before Chandler had a chance to make a response.

“It was anything but playful,” Chandler muttered.

“Exactly.”

The three of them began to walk again. “What conversation? What do you mean?” Fines asked. “Who is Miss Blair?”

“A young lady new to Town this Season,” Andrew told Fines, then to Chandler he said, “She didn’t look too happy with you, Dunraven. And no wonder. I hear you knocked her silly. Are you losing your touch when it comes to ladies of quality?”

“I thought we were talking about Lady Lambsbeth?” Fines grumbled.

“We are.”

“No, you were talking about a Miss Blair.”

“Her, too,” Andrew needled him. “Is it too difficult for you to keep up? We can talk slower.”

“Blast it. Could we just please talk about one lady at a time?”

“My, my, what’s this? There was a time when you had no problem dealing with two ladies at a time and taking care of both of them quite well.”

“We’re not talking about me and my ladies. We’re talking about Dunraven and his ladies, and I prefer not to handle them at all.”

They continued to walk through the crowd of people with Fines and Andrew talking to each other, not giving Chandler the opportunity to say a word to either of them. Not that he wanted to. He didn’t want anyone to know that he had spoken to Lady Lambsbeth tonight. And he certainly didn’t want to discuss Miss Blair with these two.

“I saw you talking to Miss Blair, but you didn’t dance with her tonight,” Andrew said. “If you are not going to pursue her, Dunraven, do you mind if I ask her for a dance?”

That got Chandler’s attention. Andrew? Dance with Miss Blair?

No.