Read Online Cloaked in Danger by Jeannie Ruesch - Free Book Online

entered, pointing toward the south end of the supper boxes, near the statue of Handel. Patrick’s fingers tightened around her arm. “This way.”
    As he tugged her, Aria scanned the crowd. She saw a number of people she’d met recently, received an occasional nod of acknowledgement, and noticed more than one appraising glance at Mr. Wade. He was not one of them and they knew it—that was clear from the noses slightly raised, the eyes averted. Aria had suspected they tolerated her among their ranks because of her father’s fortune and perhaps because of his charm, but to have it so clearly shown was chilling. The unlikely crowd may mingle in one place, but people still separated themselves, hidden behind invisible walls.
    She had always wondered why Patrick held such a loathing for the haute ton. One would almost think he was of noble blood, and they were but dirt under his feet, so acrimonious was his demeanor. Perhaps it was the way they looked at him. The way they looked through him.
    And the vague hope Aria had of spotting one of the men on her father’s list tonight, perhaps even gain an introduction, grew dimmer by the moment. She refused to approach someone with Mr. Wade by her side, knowing they were likely to ignore and offend him. He didn’t deserve to be treated that way.
    Even as she thought it, her breath caught.
    Lady Ashton was here with an older woman and yes, there was Lord Merewood. Tingles of pleasure filled her, but she shifted her gaze past him. The duke wasn’t nearby, but Aria studied the faces around her. Three of the men on her list were here. Viscount Turleton stood at the end, next to a woman of a decidedly questionable virtue. Lord Barrymore stood with Lady Barrymore, back to back—which lent credence to the gossip Emily had passed on that they had ceased conversing with each other years past. Aria turned around to find Lady Beasley, wondering if the woman knew the couple of equal age, but their trusty chaperone had already disappeared from sight.
    One last glance at Lord Merewood. She would ignore how handsome he looked, even with that permanent scowl on his face.
    “Are you looking for someone in particular?” Patrick asked.
    Aria snapped around with a pang of guilt. Had he seen where she was looking? “Lady Ashton. I met her the other night. She was very kind to me.” Perhaps she could tell him. Maybe he would have some insights on the matter, suggestions on how best to proceed.
    “You have been attending a number of events lately, haven’t you?” The words were casual, but the stone set of his jaw was not.
    “Papa has always urged me to attend to his invitations.” Which was true. “I thought in his absence, I should make some appearances. He has made a number of connections in society, people who sponsor Papa’s work. It is good business.”
    “It is admirable that you support your father’s efforts.” Patrick leaned in and his voice grew more intimate. “But as someone who cares a great deal about you, I caution you against becoming too close with anyone in that world. They are not your friends, Ariadne. They will use you and mock you for it.”
    “What could they possibly gain from me?” she teased, but his expression didn’t lose one bit of seriousness.
    “Your father is an extraordinarily wealthy man. There are many nobles who have bankrupted their holdings, and they would not think twice at wooing you for your money.”
    “They could only do so had I any intention to marry them, and I do not.”
    Her words appeared to mollify him only slightly. “I should hope not.”
    No, Aria realized with a small thud of disappointment, she had been right to keep this to herself. Patrick would never understand and furthermore, he might try to impede her efforts.
    “Why do you dislike them so?” she asked.
    He turned his head sharply away, but the hard set of his jaw suggested he was far from unemotional. “Come. Let’s sit and eat.”
    The dismissal was clear. Aria