The Wicked Baron. Sarah Mallory

who is this come in at this late hour? I had not expected anyone else to turn up—good heavens, it is Ainslowe and his new wife!’

      As Mrs Price hurried away, Carlotta stood on tiptoe to see the couple at the door. Even from a distance she recognised James Ainslowe. He was not quite as tall as his brother, but he had the same nut-brown hair and an ease of manner that expressed itself in the charming smile he now bent upon his hostess. Carlotta could imagine him apologising for his late arrival, treating Mrs Price to the same glinting smile that Luke had shown her when they had been together at Malberry. The memory gave her an empty, hollow feeling inside. She instantly quashed it and turned her attention to Mrs James Ainslowe. She was a lively brunette with a generous figure that was shown to advantage in a lowcut gown of bronze broché silk and a matching jockey cap over her glossy curls. A gold tassel on the cap swung to and fro as she carried on an animated conversation with her hostess. Carlotta heard Lady Broxted’s smothered exclamation.

      ‘Is anything wrong, Aunt?’

      ‘I could wish they had stayed in Berkshire a little longer,’ muttered Lady Broxted. ‘What if they should recognise you?’

      Carlotta laughed at that. ‘That is not possible! They were on the Continent when I was at Malberry.’

      ‘You must be very careful, Carlotta, not to disclose your real name.’

      ‘I thought we had already agreed that, ma’am.’ She hesitated. ‘Would it be so very dreadful, Aunt, if it were known that my father was an artist?’

      ‘It would be embarrassing for your uncle, my dear, and for me. So much better that no one asks about your parents.’

      Carlotta felt a little tremor of unease. ‘Perhaps then it would be best if we lived a little more retired. Surely there is no need for you to puff me off quite so much.’

      Lady Broxted stared at her. ‘Do you not wish to go about, my love?’

      Carlotta hesitated. Looking into her aunt’s anxious face, she realised that her aunt’s pleasure in the balls and parties they attended was more than equal to her own and she could not disappoint her.

      ‘Yes, of course I do, Aunt, but I would not embarrass you for the world. Perhaps we could avoid Mr and Mrs Ainslowe…’

      ‘No, I am afraid that is impossible; they will be seen everywhere and you must be seen everywhere, too.’ My lady drew herself up to her full, if diminutive, height. ‘We must hope that your identity is not discovered, at least until we have you safely married. There is no reason why we should not carry it off. After all, there is no one here who knows you, is there?’

      Carlotta knew that this was the moment to confess the truth, but she remained silent. She watched Lord Darvell cross the room to greet the new arrivals and her heart sank. It was clear that Luke was on very good terms with his brother and sister-in-law; doubtless he would tell them all about his dalliance with the painter’s daughter. It seemed very likely that by the end of the evening all Lady Broxted’s hopes for her would be at an end.

      ***

      Luke gripped his brother’s hand. ‘James! When did you arrive in town?’

      ‘This morning. Adele was desperate to buy new gowns.’

      ‘Nonsense!’ cried his wife, turning from Mrs Price. ‘You were just as anxious to get to town. Luke, my dear, how are you? As handsome as ever, I see.’

      ‘And you are even more enchanting,’ replied Luke, kissing her hand. ‘How did you find the Court?’

      ‘It is beautiful; thank you for your efforts. Kemble told us you were at Malberry for weeks.’

      ‘Yes, thank you,’ said James. ‘I really did not expect you to do more than look in on the place once or twice.’

      ‘Poor Luke,’ said Adele. ‘Was it very tedious for you?’

      Luke wanted to say that, surprisingly, it had been some of the happiest weeks of his life, but that would invite questions, and Adele was damnably perceptive. He dared not risk it.

      ‘I endured it as long as I could,’ he replied coolly. ‘However, I thought you would stay there longer.’

      Adele shook her head, sighing. ‘We have had nothing but each other’s company for the best part of a month.’

      ‘An ideal arrangement,’ murmured Luke, grinning, and earned for himself a sharp tap on the arm from Adele’s fan.

      ‘You may stop those knowing looks at once! James and I are very much in need of company before we murder one another.’

      ‘Aye.’ Her loving husband smiled. ‘So we thought we would come to town for a few weeks, then take a party back to the Court with us for the summer.’

      ‘You will come, won’t you, Luke?’

      ‘Of course, Adele. That is, unless anything better comes along.’

      She gave a gurgle of laughter. ‘How I have missed your teasing! We have been abroad for so long, and everyone there was so serious.’ She tucked her hand in his arm. ‘Come, we have not seen you since Paris. One can never say everything properly in a letter, so you must tell me all you have been doing and then we will arrange for you to accompany me to Bond Street.’

      ‘Surely that is your husband’s duty.’

      She waved one gloved hand. ‘Alas, James has no eye for colour.’

      Luke began to back away. ‘I regret, Adele, that I have a great many engagements—’

      ‘Nonsense, you cannot be too busy to take me shopping.’

      He cast a despairing look at James, who merely laughed.

      ‘No use appealing to me, Luke. I’ve come to town for my own amusement. You are always at your ease with the ladies, you will enjoy yourself!’