Page 32 of The Wallflower Ruse

Lucinda made a face. “Perhaps that’s so.” Not that she really believed it. “I’m surprised, considering his reputation, that he’s still accepted in society.”

“I believe many gentlemen respect him for his refusal to be trapped—and ladies still hope to trap him.” She took a bite of toast. “Nothing useful happened at Mrs. Haraldson’s?”

“A poet fell madly in love with me—or pretended to.” She told Dorothea about Pearce and his doggerel. “Restive said his behavior was uncharacteristically tense, and Lady Alice agreed. Lady Alice and I are invited to Lady Tollister’s tonight, but he doesn’t want me to go.”

Dorothea grimaced. “He’s right. Her parties are not appropriate for young ladies.”

“Perhaps not, but if I am the reason Mr. Pearce invited us, surely I must go! If I am in the service of the Crown, I must be willing to take risks.” She eyed Dorothea, who looked dubious. “Are you acquainted with Lady Tollister?”

“Yes, but not well. She’s a widow of good birth, but not quite respectable. Ostensibly, her evening gatherings are for serious discussion, like Mrs. Haraldson’s, but they are primarily card parties for ladies who are tired of behaving properly—mostly other widows, but bored wives as well.”

“Bored with their husbands?”

“In many cases, yes, and therefore gentlemen in search of casual liaisons often attend.” She frowned. “So much for not exposing you to danger. Cecil will not be pleased.”

“What sort of danger?”

“Unwanted advances—although nothing you can’t spurn easily enough, as long as you stay with the other ladies. Perhaps Lady Alice’s chaperonage will prevent unsavory gossip.”

“I hadn’t thought about that,” Lucinda said. “Although last night at Mrs. Haraldson’s has already damaged my reputation, I’m sure, which will make it difficult to find a position as a governess.”

“Forget about being a governess,” Dorothea said. “Officially, you’re my assistant, and Cecil will pay you for the work you do for him.”

“You’re very kind, Dot, but he won’t need me to do coding forever. Not only that, I can’t possibly impose on you for God knows how long, and—”

“It’s not an imposition. I’m happy to have you, and England needs you to go to Lady Tollister’s tonight. We’ll have to convince both Cecil and Restive of that. Hmm...”

“Perhaps, but what can I possibly do at a card party? I haven’t a penny to my name!”

“I shall give you a guinea or so to lose—which you most likely will.” She chuckled. “Don’t scowl at me like that. It’s fine if you do lose, as it will make you appear a little foolish—in other words, not a likely agent of the government.”

“Perhaps, but I don’t think I’m capable of losing on purpose.”

“And if you do win,” Dorothea said pensively, “you may go on to play for higher stakes. I’ll give you some jewelry—things I never wear—in case a further stake should be needed.”

“Dorothea! Staking jewelry is frightfully vulgar.” She paused. “You’re teasing me!”

Dorothea giggled. “Yes, for it would make you appear as fast as your hostess, which we do not want.” She eyed her friend. “Admit it, though—you enjoyed being a bit improper last night.”

Lucinda sighed. “It was fun to say precisely what I pleased, but I didn’t enjoy seeing the way Restive affected some of the women—intelligent women otherwise—nor do I appreciate the way he smirks at me.”

“Yes, frightfully annoying, but I daresay you annoyed him right back.”

“I hope so,” Lucinda said. “I don’t know how I’ll be able to put up with another evening of it—and for all we know, it will prove a waste of time.”

Dorothea offered a sympathetic smile. “If Restive says there’s something suspicious about Pearce’s behavior, there most likely is.” She considered. “How about this? We will tell our overly protective menfolk that you will not go unless Restive not only attends, but promises to protect you from unwanted advances.”

“That’s all very well, but what if he’s making up to a—a bored widow with every intention of seducing her? He won’t be paying the slightest attention to me.”

“Yes, he will. He can do several things at once, I assure you. However, you should do your best to make it easy for him, as he will have to pay particular heed to who is there and what they are doing. As you and Lady Alice shall do as well.”

“I wouldn’t want to distract him from his primary purpose,” Lucinda said. She decided to put a penknife in her reticule, just in case—and wished she possessed a gun.