it sitting out in plain sight.
Mr. Maidenâs grin widened. âAnd next to that book was an even more interesting volume, though in some heathen language I couldnât read.â
âBut you certainly studied the pictures long enough,â Mr. Felton said.
âNow, Percy, I gave you your turn.â Mr. Maiden waggled his brows at Lady Chutley. âI merely wished to commit a few of the illustrations to memory so I might re-create them later.â
âHa. Iâd like to see you try.â
âWould you, Percy?â
âYes.â Mr. Felton crossed his arms, a hot, hungry look suddenly appearing on his face. âNow.â
Mr. Maiden extended his hand to Lady Chutley. âAre you game, my dear?â
Lady Chutley looked around the room and then smiled slowly. âOf course, if everyone else agrees?â
âYes.â
âOf course.â
âCarry on, do.â
The chorus of support twisted Joâs stomach into knots.
âWould you like to stroll on the terrace, Miss Atworthy?â Lord Kenderly asked.
âOh!â The earl was at her elbow, offering her escape. âYes, thank you. That would be very pleasant.â
He took her arm and guided her out the door as the other members of the party whistled, clapped, and cheered Mr. Maiden and Lady Chutley to misbehavior so scandalous Jo couldnât begin to imagine itâand she certainly wasnât going to turn so she could see what they were doing.
The February wind slapped her in the face, and she gasped.
âIâm sorry,â Lord Kenderly said. âI didnât realize how cold it was. Would you prefer to go back inside?â He glanced over his shoulder at the room theyâd just left. âOn second thought, Iâll give you my coat.â
âTh-thank you.â She shivered. Sheâd rather turn into an icicle than witness what must be going on in the morning room. Well, sheâd probably turn into a pillar of salt, like Lotâs wife, if she looked. âArenât you afraid Mr. Parker-Roth might get into trouble?â
Lord Kenderly frowned as he shrugged out of his coat and draped it over her shoulders. Ahh. It was still warm from his body.
âStephen doesnât care for such public displays.â He steered her so her back was to the morning room windows, but he could keep an eye on what was going on. âMaking valentines with the other men was bad enough; the level of conversation was so puerile I thought I was back at Eton.â He looked at her. âI think if I can just foil Mariaâs plans a little longer, Stephen will leave the party on his own, perhaps as early as tomorrow.â
And surely Lord Kenderly would leave with him. Fine. She was not disappointed, not at all. She should have left herself. She would go very soon.
His gaze had wandered back to the morning room. âGood God,â he muttered, a note of incredulity in his voice, âso that really is possible.â
She would not look. âIf you want to save Mr. Parker-Roth, my lord, you might want to watch the baths at midnight.â
âWhat?â His eyes focused on her again. âBaths?â
âYes. Lady Noughton put it on her valentine. I assume she means the Roman baths.â Lord Kenderlyâs attention had shifted to the action in the morning room once more. His face was rather flushed; perhaps it was due to the wind.
âThey arenât Roman baths precisely.â Was he even listening? Whatever was happening inside must be riveting. âLord Greyhamâs father discovered a hot spring and enclosed it. Itâs nothing as grand as Bathâat least, thatâs what people tell me, as Iâve not been to Bathâbut itâs pleasant to sit in the warm water in the winter.â
âEr, water?â He looked down at her. âIâm sorry; I wasnât perfectly attending.â
Jo kept herself from stomping on his toes, but only