Free A Crimson Warning by TASHA ALEXANDER Page A

brave woman not to cancel the party.”
    “If I were going to be exposed for some grim deed I’d rather it be in the comfort of my own home,” Jeremy said.
    “Would you go on with the party, Mr. Barnes?” I asked. “If you found yourself in Mrs. Fanning’s position?”
    “A person can’t be daunted in the face of adversity. One must go on. And if one is to be taken down, one may as well do so in excellent company.”
    “I always knew I liked you, Barnes,” Jeremy said. “We really must dine together more often. Generally I avoid you Old Etonians. You’re such an insular lot. But you’re different. Bearable, even.”
    “I shall take that as a compliment,” Mr. Barnes said, his voice low and melodic.
    “I like you very much, Mr. Barnes,” Ivy said. “Have you promised away all your dances tonight? I can think of several young ladies to whom I’d like to introduce you.”
    “Don’t bother to make me your project, Mrs. Brandon,” he said. “Much though I appreciate the gesture, you’d find yourself quickly frustrated. Wealth and political influence are not the only things required by the parents of society brides. I shan’t disturb the lot of you any longer, but will look forward to seeing you all this evening.”
    “He’s a good man,” Ivy said after he’d left. “And so open about his past. Never apologizing for it, never hiding from it.”
    “It would be impossible for him to conceal it,” Jeremy said. “He might look English enough, but there’s too much of the exotic in him to pass as one of us. Even his voice sounds magical.”
    “We must help him find a wife no matter what he says,” Ivy said. “I can’t think of anyone more worthy of a good partner.”
    “Not even me?” Jeremy asked.
    “Especially you, Jeremy,” Ivy said. “I shudder at the thought of what your wife will suffer.”

 
    11 June 1893
    Belgrave Square, London
    I am so fond of Mr. Barnes! How unfortunate that he’s not been able to secure a worthy bride. His heritage, no doubt, has made it difficult, but it should not be impossible. I shall make it my mission to find him a suitable girl. Probably one of many sisters—he’s enough money to make the details of a dowry irrelevant—and from a family without political aspirations. I’ve a few candidates already in mind and shall call on their mothers this week to begin planting the idea with them.
    This is a pleasant distraction in the midst of so much upheaval. Mrs. Fanning is a wonder to go on with her plans for the ball despite the paint. I do hope her guests don’t let her down, though I suppose there’s little chance anyone will cancel on her. They’ll all be interested to see what, if anything, happens. On my way home from Emily’s, I heard that Lady Althway’s house has been painted as well. She’s Mrs. Fanning’s closest friend. It must be a comfort of sorts to have someone who understands the hardship of being marked by this villainous soul and his paint.
    I wonder if they were targeted at the same time for a reason. Could they together have done something grievous? I do know Lady Althway can hold a grudge longer than most. She’s a most unforgiving sort of woman. Will she now want others to forgive her?
    Must go dress for the ball. I shall wear my golden gown tonight. I want nothing close to red.

 
    8
    For Colin and me, the evening began well enough. We had dawdled pleasantly over our toilettes, as was our habit, spending more time talking over glasses of wine than dressing. When my maid had become stern, insisting we would be late if we didn’t finish, I’d submitted to her ministrations. Colin, whose appearance required no improvement from its natural state, was dashing and ready to go long before I. He stepped around Meg, who was slipping jeweled combs into the sides of my coiffure, and presented me with a slim parcel. I pulled open the strings to reveal a beautifully bound blank book, its red cover fashioned from the smoothest leather I’d