Free The Great Christmas Ball by Joan Smith Page B

one noticed my escort deserted me at dinner, and made me look a fool?”
    “We went to the assembly to see what we could discover. Mrs. Leonard was the best lead we came across.”
    “I wonder if Mr. Burack was not a better lead,” she replied.
    “I see him every day. If we had remained behind, we could have seen whether he stood up with Mrs. Leonard. That would have been interesting. It is odd he did not approach her all evening. He has been at the Guards longer than I. He must have met her before now. Their not exchanging so much as a glance looks suspicious.”
    “You must ask her about Burack when you call on her,” Cathy said, wearing a face of determined disinterest.
    “It will be better to let Gordon continue his watch. I wonder—perhaps we should sic him on to Burack instead. It is pretty clear Mrs. Leonard is no spy.”
    What was clear to Cathy was that Lord Costain was easily duped by a pretty flirt.
    “I suggest you take a bone for May when you call on Mrs. Leonard, Lord Costain,” she said with a knowing look. “I fear the way to that lady’s heart is through her pug.”
    “You read me like a book, ma’am. I shall ask Cook to save me a steak bone.”
    They proceeded in silence for a few blocks. The only sound in the carriage was the echo of the hooves and wheels coming through the windows.
    As they turned in at King Charles Street, Cathy said, “Did you discover where Mrs. Leonard gets her money? That was an expensive-looking cluster of diamonds she was wearing.”
    “One can hardly ask such an intimate question on first acquaintance.”
    “Perhaps when you get to know her better ...”
    The carriage drew up in front of the house and stopped. “I shall take you in,” he said. “Don’t be concerned if you see my carriage waiting outside. I want a word with Gordon. He said he would not be long.”
    “Very well.”
    He escorted her to the door. Before opening it, he said, “I don’t know what tomorrow may bring. Can you leave the evening open in case something comes up?”
    Leaving an evening open was never any problem for Cathy, but she did not precisely say so. “We often have an evening at home during the dull winter months. I believe tomorrow evening is free.”
    She thought Costain would smile and at least pretend to be pleased, but he was frowning at the door knocker. “You wouldn’t happen to have a book on astrology in that study?”
    “I shouldn’t think so. It is all foolishness, you know.”
    “I know, but I seem to remember someone telling me I was a Libra. Mrs. Leonard said I was a Leo.”
    “You mean she is shamming it? Why would she boast of expertise in such an idiotic thing as astrology if it is not true?”
    “Perhaps because it is an idiotic thing. It half convinced me the lady is a fool. That and her near adoration of a dog.”
    Cathy bit her lip. “You mean she wants us to think she is a ninnyhammer—and that suggests she is as sly as a fox. I shall ask Rodney about astrology. He knows everything. Everything perfectly useless, I mean.”
    “You were angry with me for flirting with her, but it was all in the way of business, you know,” he said with a teasing smile.
    “I was not angry because of that! I just felt ridiculous when you went hounding off to sit with her at dinner and foisted me onto Gordon in front of everyone. A lady has her pride, you must know.”
    He lifted a lazy eyebrow. “So has a gentleman, Miss Lyman. You might at least pretend to a proper fit of pique.”
    “I think you mean jealousy, milord.”
    “If you insist on calling a spade a spade.”
    “I do, and I insist on calling embarrassment by its proper name, not jealousy.”
    “When a gentleman embarrasses a lady, he must be in error, and I apologize. I shan’t do it again.”
    “That is quite all right. I realize business comes before pleasure.”
    “Good. Then you do realize it would have given me more pleasure to have been your supper partner. I was never much good at paying