Free Sins of a Virgin by Anna Randol Page B

and we can go home.”
    They worked their way past the amorous couples littering the house toward the ballroom.
    “There you are!” Lenton hurried forward. “It is my dance now.”
    Madeline smiled. “I was just coming to look for you.” With an apologetic grimace at Gabriel, she allowed Lenton to lead her onto the floor.
    Curse it all, another dance meant at least fifteen more minutes. But as much as he might wish to escape, the additional dance meant more time to study Lenton. Gabriel watched the man twirl Madeline about. The man was a fop and not overly bright. Gabriel doubted his guilt, but until he had solid proof of his innocence, he’d remain a suspect.
    Gabriel stepped around a pillar to keep them in sight. He might not have told her of his murder investigation, but he refused to endanger her.
    Lenton and Madeline edged toward the terrace doors.
    “Huntford?”
    Gabriel turned toward the vaguely familiar voice.
    A large, solidly built man strode toward him. “I thought it was you.”
    Gabriel tipped his head in greeting. “Danbury.” Finding a friend in this mess, even one he hadn’t seen in years, came as a surprise. Yet despite his satisfaction, Gabriel’s attention returned to Madeline.
    She said something to her escort and they drifted back toward the other dancers.
    “I see you avoided the food fight,” Danbury said.
    Gabriel spared a glance for his friend. “You appear unscathed as well. And quite brown. How are your family’s plantations?”
    “Quite well. They are flourishing under my leadership. Where have you been keeping yourself? I haven’t seen you since Oxford.” A crease marked Danbury’s broad forehead. “Wait, I think I heard mention that you’d become a Runner?”
    “Indeed.”
    Danbury gave a low whistle. “I envy you that. Saving the fine men of this town from criminals and ne’er-do-wells. Far more noble than any of this lot.”
    If nobility meant wading through filth, violence, and death. But he said, “We try our best.” After all, Danbury had always held grandiose opinions on justice. There was no reason to disillusion him. “How long are you in London?”
    “I had planned to return but there were some repairs needed on my father’s ship. Stalled me here. And then I became fascinated by this auction.” Danbury gave him a conspiratorial look. “Why did you and the delectable Miss Valdan disappear together for half an hour?”
    “Our relationship is professional.”
    Danbury peered intently at him. “Her profession or yours?”
    Nothing would ensure Madeline turning him out quicker than rumors of that sort. “I’m assigned to protect her. I’m not wealthy enough for anything else.”
    “If she’s not yours, Huntford, then do you mind if I bid?”
    He did mind, actually.
    Because he didn’t want Madeline to cozen his friend, of course.
    Gabriel forced his shoulders to lower. “You’re welcome to do as you wish.”
    The final chord of music faded and Madeline’s court converged around her. Gabriel ignored his spurt of satisfaction as Lenton was pushed to the perimeter.
    Danbury followed his gaze and grimaced. “Perhaps I’ll let my bid speak for me rather than brave that insanity.” He frowned as he noticed a couple behind Madeline. “I wonder if Tenet knows that woman’s last protector had the pox. I suppose I’ll go warn him. See, Huntford? I can do my part to save the men of society, too.” He grinned and strode off in the direction of the pair.
    “Ready?” Madeline’s voice spoke next to him. She stood at his side, eyebrow raised. She laughed at his scowl. “Let’s go then.”
    A footman handed Gabriel his hat and greatcoat as they left, and they walked down the steps at the front of the building.
    Fingers of fog twined through the streets, shying away from the torches burning outside Chatham House.
    “I’ll expect you at ten tomorrow,” she said, shivering in the cold mist.
    He resisted the urge to share the warmth of his jacket. She’d