Callie’s gaze flew to Ralston, her heart in her throat. How was he going to avoid the truth? He replied calmly, “I confess, Lady Allendale, the agreement was entirely my idea. I was extraordinarily lucky that Lady Calpurnia happened to be in the right place at the right time, as they say. I do not know how I will repay her for such a generous offer.” Callie’s eyes widened at his reply; did she detect a teasing tone in his words? She turned her attention back to her mother, who appeared entirely pacified with the marquess’s answer, as though it were perfectly ordinary for rakes to request the company of her unmarried daughter for purposes not altogether clear.
She had to end this embarrassment. Immediately. Before her mother did something truly mortifying. As if it weren’t enough that she was dressed in a shimmering aubergine silk adorned with peacock feathers. Many peacock feathers.
“Mother, Lord Ralston has agreed to escort me to the refreshment room,” she said, avoiding Ralston’s gaze as she attempted to lie as prettily as he seemed to do. “May we fetch something for you?”
“Oh, no, thank you.” The dowager countess waved her fan in the air dismissively before placing a hand on Ralston’s arm and meeting his gaze directly. “Lord Ralston, I look forward to meeting this sister of yours very soon. Perhaps she will come to luncheon?” It was not a question.
Ralston tipped his head graciously, accepting the countess’s offer of support, saying, “I am certain Juliana would enjoy that, Lady Allendale.”
Callie’s mother nodded firmly. “Excellent.”
With that, Lady Allendale was off, poor Mariana in tow, to greet more guests. Ralston offered Callie an arm.
“I should very much like to escort you to the refreshment room, Lady Calpurnia,” he said wryly.
She took the arm. “I apologize for the untruth.”
“No need.” They walked in silence for several moments before he added, “Thank you.” He recognized how important the interaction with her family and the invitation from her mother would be in securing Juliana’s acceptance into society.
She did not immediately respond, her thoughts instead focused on the evening’s surprising turn of events. Keenly aware of the heat of Ralston’s arm under her hand, of the eyes of London’s best and brightest following their path around the ballroom, Callie couldn’t stop herself from wondering just how different this particular evening could become.
“Do not thank me too quickly, my lord,” Callie began tentatively. “After all, as you so tactfully stated, I have not yet made my request for payment.”
Ralston glanced down at her. “So I’ve noticed. I don’t suppose you’ll out with it now, so we can get it over with?”
“I’m afraid not. I do have a rather strange question, however, if you wouldn’t mind humoring me.”
“Not at all. I would be happy to oblige.”
She swallowed, shoring up her courage, and attempting to sound as casual as possible, asked, “Are you able to recommend a good tavern in town?”
As questions went, it was neither the most tactful nor the most delicate, but Callie was too eager for his response to attempt anything other than a direct approach.
Ralston was to be credited for not betraying the surprise he must have felt at the query. In fact, with the exception of a quick glance in her direction, he continued navigating the couples blocking their path deftly, without pause.
“I beg your pardon? A tavern?”
“Yes. A public house.” She nodded, offering him a smile, hoping he wouldn’t press her.
“What for?”
She really should have expected his curiosity. Callie grasped for an explanation. “You see…my lord,” she paused, thinking. “My brother…Benedick?” She waited for Ralston’s nod of recognition before continuing. “Well…Benedick is seeking a new haunt…and I thought you might have an answer to his conundrum.”
“I’m sure I could recommend somewhere. I shall discuss it with him.”
“No!”
One eyebrow rose at her vehement response. “No?”
She cleared her throat quickly. “No, my lord.” She paused, seeking inspiration. “You see…my brother…he would not appreciate my discussing taverns with you.”
“As well he shouldn’t.”
“Quite.” She attempted to appear properly chagrined. “So, you see, it might be better for you to name an appropriate location…for a gentleman, of course…and I will make the recommendation quietly. When the appropriate time presents itself.”