coal this afternoon.”
Iphiginia contemplated her options for a few seconds. She was acutely aware of the growing number of stares aimed in her direction. More than one head had turned. More than one ear was discreetly cocked in an attempt to overhear the fascinating exchange that was taking place between Masters and his new paramour.
It was obvious from the ruthless set of his jaw and the unyielding line of his mouth that Marcus was in a dangerous mood. He was apparently willing to stage a humiliating quarrel for the entertainment of the fashionable shoppers in Pall Mall if Iphiginia did not accede to his wishes.
“Very well, my lord.” She gave him a brittle smile as she placed her gloved fingertips lightly on his arm. “If you insist on playing the role of the wicked troll, so be it.”
“An excellent decision. I have often been cast in the role of the troll and I assure you, I am capable of giving a truly electrifying performance.”
“I do not doubt it for a moment. I would have you know, sir, that during my travels on the Continent this past year I was never once obliged to deal with this sort of ungentlemanly conduct. There was a nasty little street thief in Rome who had better manners.”
“Perhaps one day I shall have the opportunity to take lessons. They do say that travel is broadening. Come, we have drawn enough attention.” Marcus’s fingers closed more tightly around her arm. He resumed the brisk pace along Pall Mall.
“People are staring at us.”
“I should think you would be accustomed to it bynow. Tell me why I should not conclude that you are the blackmailer.”
“First tell me why you came to the conclusion that I was.”
Marcus slanted her an unreadable glance. “You are an exceedingly clever female. You have made a study of me that was so astute it enabled you to fool the
ton
into believing that you are my mistress.”
“We all have our little skills.”
“Your particular skills convince me that you could have delved just as deeply into the background of others and perhaps come up with suitable material for blackmail.”
Iphiginia nearly choked on her outrage. “Material such as that which is being used to blackmail your friend?”
“Precisely.”
“I would never do such a thing.” Iphiginia realized that she was hurt as well as angry and she did not know quite why. Marcus’s alarming conclusions about her were not unreasonable under the circumstances. Nevertheless, she felt wounded by them. “If you knew me better, my lord, you would not make such accusations.”
“Ah, but I do not know you very well at all, do I? Not nearly as well as you appear to know me. And that, madam, has finally begun to worry me.”
“I do not see how I can persuade you of my innocence, nor will I lower myself to even attempt to do so.”
“Then we have a problem on our hands, my dear.” Marcus inclined his head a bare half inch at an acquaintance who nodded from the doorway of a snuff shop.
Iphiginia pretended to focus on some gloves that were displayed in a shop window. She could feel the avid curiosity in the gaze of the man who stood in front of the snuff shop. Indeed, she could feel a dozen pairs of eyes boring into her.
There was very little privacy here in Town. Anonymitywas impossible, especially for any woman whose name was linked with that of the Earl of Masters.
It was almost as bad as living in Deepford, Iphiginia thought resentfully. But at least here in London she would not be subjected to lectures on propriety from the vicar or from the parents of her sister’s in-laws-to-be.
She merely had to listen to such lectures from Marcus.
“You are making a much more difficult problem out of this affair than is necessary,” Iphiginia said forcefully. “But then, something tells me that you are a very difficult man.”
“Regardless of how unpleasant this problem is for you, madam, you may rest assured that until it is resolved, you and I are going to be spending a great
Iphiginia contemplated her options for a few seconds. She was acutely aware of the growing number of stares aimed in her direction. More than one head had turned. More than one ear was discreetly cocked in an attempt to overhear the fascinating exchange that was taking place between Masters and his new paramour.
It was obvious from the ruthless set of his jaw and the unyielding line of his mouth that Marcus was in a dangerous mood. He was apparently willing to stage a humiliating quarrel for the entertainment of the fashionable shoppers in Pall Mall if Iphiginia did not accede to his wishes.
“Very well, my lord.” She gave him a brittle smile as she placed her gloved fingertips lightly on his arm. “If you insist on playing the role of the wicked troll, so be it.”
“An excellent decision. I have often been cast in the role of the troll and I assure you, I am capable of giving a truly electrifying performance.”
“I do not doubt it for a moment. I would have you know, sir, that during my travels on the Continent this past year I was never once obliged to deal with this sort of ungentlemanly conduct. There was a nasty little street thief in Rome who had better manners.”
“Perhaps one day I shall have the opportunity to take lessons. They do say that travel is broadening. Come, we have drawn enough attention.” Marcus’s fingers closed more tightly around her arm. He resumed the brisk pace along Pall Mall.
“People are staring at us.”
“I should think you would be accustomed to it bynow. Tell me why I should not conclude that you are the blackmailer.”
“First tell me why you came to the conclusion that I was.”
Marcus slanted her an unreadable glance. “You are an exceedingly clever female. You have made a study of me that was so astute it enabled you to fool the
ton
into believing that you are my mistress.”
“We all have our little skills.”
“Your particular skills convince me that you could have delved just as deeply into the background of others and perhaps come up with suitable material for blackmail.”
Iphiginia nearly choked on her outrage. “Material such as that which is being used to blackmail your friend?”
“Precisely.”
“I would never do such a thing.” Iphiginia realized that she was hurt as well as angry and she did not know quite why. Marcus’s alarming conclusions about her were not unreasonable under the circumstances. Nevertheless, she felt wounded by them. “If you knew me better, my lord, you would not make such accusations.”
“Ah, but I do not know you very well at all, do I? Not nearly as well as you appear to know me. And that, madam, has finally begun to worry me.”
“I do not see how I can persuade you of my innocence, nor will I lower myself to even attempt to do so.”
“Then we have a problem on our hands, my dear.” Marcus inclined his head a bare half inch at an acquaintance who nodded from the doorway of a snuff shop.
Iphiginia pretended to focus on some gloves that were displayed in a shop window. She could feel the avid curiosity in the gaze of the man who stood in front of the snuff shop. Indeed, she could feel a dozen pairs of eyes boring into her.
There was very little privacy here in Town. Anonymitywas impossible, especially for any woman whose name was linked with that of the Earl of Masters.
It was almost as bad as living in Deepford, Iphiginia thought resentfully. But at least here in London she would not be subjected to lectures on propriety from the vicar or from the parents of her sister’s in-laws-to-be.
She merely had to listen to such lectures from Marcus.
“You are making a much more difficult problem out of this affair than is necessary,” Iphiginia said forcefully. “But then, something tells me that you are a very difficult man.”
“Regardless of how unpleasant this problem is for you, madam, you may rest assured that until it is resolved, you and I are going to be spending a great
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