‘Because yours is so superior?’ she flashed at him. ‘I’m afraid your prejudice is showing, my lord.’
‘Do be calm, Miss Talbot,’ he said. ‘Consider your warning heeded – but I assure you, Archie is in no danger. Do you not think, perhaps, that your experience with your father is colouring your judgement?’
She reared back as if she had been struck. She had told him of her father in assumed confidence, in one of their quiet conversations together – the ones where she felt she might say anything, and it would be held safely. Apparently not.
‘Perhaps your experience with your father is blinding you,’ she flung back at him. ‘Perhaps he had good reason for sending you away all along, if you were going the same way as Archie.’
‘As if you care about my brother,’ he snarled. ‘I’d ask you to call him Mr de Lacy – you have long given up the right to use his first name. And since we are exchanging advice, perhaps your attention is better spent on your own family, rather than mine.’
‘And what is that supposed to mean?’ she demanded.
‘Do you not think it unwise to let Miss Cecily and Montagu pursue their romance so boldly?’
‘Cecily and Lord Montagu?’ She was startled out of her anger for the moment, turning to look for her sister. The pair were standing, heads bent next to the refreshment table. Alone once more – which was not, admittedly, very wise. She ought to say something again to her, the poor girl had no idea what it looked like. She turned back to Radcliffe. ‘They are friends, no more – they share an interest in intellectual pursuits.’
He scoffed. ‘You are blinded to the truth – they consider themselves very much in love, any fool could see it.’
‘You are angry with me, and just trying to cause a nuisance,’ she dismissed. ‘Do you think I would not notice if my sister were in love?’
‘Do you think I would not notice if my brother were in danger?’ he returned, pointedly.
They glared at one another, eyes as cold as they had ever been in each other’s presence.
‘Do you know,’ she said, words hot on her tongue, ‘when we first met I thought you proud, stubborn, rude and with a sense of superiority the size of England. I had almost begun to think I had misjudged you – but I see now I should have trusted my first instinct.’
‘The feeling,’ he said coldly, ‘is quite mutual.’
They turned as one and walked away. Neither looked back.
31
Lord Radcliffe left the ball in a rage, not bothering to bid goodnight to the host or his mother. He flung himself down the front steps so fast that he ran into Captain Hinsley, who was only just arriving.
‘James, slow down – what on earth is the matter?’ Hinsley asked, looking concerned.
‘Nothing,’ Radcliffe bit out. He tried to walk on, but Hinsley gripped his arm.
‘Nothing? You’re quite shaking with rage, let me accompany you home,’ he commanded, turning to walk his friend down the path. Radcliffe attempted to shake him off, but Hinsley had his arm caught fast.
‘I’m quite capable of reaching home without a chaperone, Harry,’ Radcliffe said, voice dark with warning.
‘Of course you are,’ Hinsley said soothingly – and clearly with no intention of listening to him. He hurried into the carriage after Radcliffe, seating himself opposite his friend with watchful eyes.
‘What has you all at odds then?’ he asked again.
‘I-I got into an argument with Miss Talbot,’ Radcliffe admitted at last. ‘It started off about – about one thing, but then it led on to discussing Archie. She made a ridiculous accusation that Archie has fallen into a bad crowd – that I am so blinded by how my father treated my dalliances as a boy, that I cannot see what is right in front of me. She’s wrong.’
But Hinsley’s brow was furrowed. ‘Who’s the boy become friendly with, that’s worried her so?’
‘Lord Selbourne and his set,’ Radcliffe said impatiently. ‘But you’re quite missing the point, Harry—’
‘Selbourne? I do not like that much at all, James. You haven’t been in London for a while, dear boy – old Selby has quite the reputation now.’
‘Selbourne? He’s harmless. Why, I used to be very closely acquainted with the man – certainly fond of gambling and drinking, but not dangerous.’
Hinsley looked unconvinced. ‘From what I’ve heard, it’s a bit more than that. I’ll look into it – see if I can find anything out.’