Read Online Damsel in Distress by Joan Smith - Free Book Online Page B

now. When they clamp me in irons, I expect you will have a ball to celebrate.”
    “A ball would be no pleasure without you, Caro,” he said. He had meant to use a light tone, and was surprised at how sincere he sounded. Caro looked at him with a question in her eyes.
    Before she could think of an answer, they had reached the front door. Crumm’s scarred face peered around the corner. Caroline shook her head to indicate he was not required.
    “It’s a beautiful day,” Dolmain said, rather wistfully. “I wish we could drive into the country again. I have the whole day booked. If I hope to make it to the theater for the first intermission tonight, I had best get to work.”
    “I did not realize your only reason for going was to redeem my reputation. You must not let that interfere with your work, Dolmain. England’s safety takes precedence over my reputation.” Yet she was touched at his efforts on her behalf.
    “Redeeming your reputation is not the only reason. After looking at York and Hotchkiss and the rest of the ugly members of the Horse Guards, my poor eyes deserve a reward.”
    “I hear Esmée, the new actress, is quite lovely.”
    “Very likely, but I had not actually planned to remain for the play.”
    She made a playful curtsey. “A pretty compliment, sir.”
    She opened the door. Dolmain pinched her chin, said, “Don’t give up. We’ll solve this riddle yet.” Then he was gone.
    Nothing had really changed much, yet Caroline’s heart felt lighter. A problem was not so heavy a burden when it was shared. She wished with all her heart that the necklace had not intruded itself into their lives. It had seemed, for a day or two, that she had found someone to replace Julian....
     
Chapter Seven
     
    At ten o’clock Lady Georgiana came to breakfast and was told the gist of Dolmain’s visit.
    She just shook her head. “I used to think you were one of those ladies who attracted trouble and attention, as honey attracts flies, but I was mistaken. You go to meet it halfway, Caro. It was not necessary for you to follow Lady Helen home, though it was proper of you to notify Lord Dolmain today.”
    “Something might have happened to her,” Caro pointed out.
    “So it might, and it was kind of you to watch her, but to go creeping behind bushes, and then to tell Lord Dolmain you had done so! He will think you no better than a hoyden. You must not forget discretion in your wholesale acts of kindness.”
    “Dolmain was grateful. He will make a special trip to Covent Garden tonight to visit our box, to show his support.”
    “Let him come, and let him accompany you to some formal do to show the world he trusts you. He owes you that much. After that, leave Dolmain to handle his own troubles. It seems to me there is something havey-cavey afoot. You are best out of it.”
    “You have done your duty, shrew,” Caro said, softening her words with a smile.
    “Who am I to give advice? I have made a confounded mess of my own life.”
    “How can you say so? You have never been in a pickle.”
    “That is precisely what I mean. I have lived vicariously. It is comfortable, but there is no denying it can become boring at times. Now that I am older, I wish I had a few scrapes and pickles to look back on.”
    “You are welcome to share mine,” Caro said ruefully.
    “I am afraid I must pass. It is time for my daily constitutional, accompanied bymy beau,” Georgie said. This was a joking reference to the footman who would accompany her. Lady Georgiana was one of the sights of Rotten Row, where she rode for an hour every day, rain or shine, mounted on a bay mare.
    Georgie had no sooner left than Newton was shown into the saloon. “What are you up to today, Newt?” Caroline asked.
    “Thought I might stop off at Manton’s and culp a wafer — or miss it, more like. Then a round at Jackson’s Parlor to refresh my science.”
    “Setting up as a Corinthian?” Caroline asked. Neither shooting nor boxing had ever featured