“So this is your infamous club.” She glanced around the yard at the rows of curricles. “Do you allow ladies to join?”
“We would allow a woman to join if she had a high perch phaeton or a dashing curricle, a matched set of horses, and a sure hand with the reins,” said Dane.
“We would?” Somersby asked.
“Why not? I thought women were all you ever thought about.”
“True. And they’d be wearing form-fitting riding habits. I do like a tight riding habit molded over a round—”
“Somersby!” Dane said. “There’s a lady present.”
“And that’s why I don’t want ladies to join.”
Sandrine laughed. “Sorry to spoil your fun. I must speak with you, Lord Dane. I was visiting with Madam Avalon today.”
“You went back to the Silver Palace? Why?”
“It’s a long story, I’ll tell you all about it on the journey.”
“What journey?”
“You’re driving me to East Edston in your curricle. We leave immediately.”
“No, we don’t.”
“Then, I’ll ask another one of these handsome young gentlemen.”
“I’ll drive you to East Edston,” Somersby said eagerly. He gestured toward his curricle. “Hop in, Miss Oliver.”
“Oh no you won’t,” Dane growled.
Sandrine walked toward Somersby. “I require a ride.”
“Can this wait? We’re about to test Kenwick’s new chariot.”
“It can’t. Help me up, Sir Somersby.”
Dane muttered a curse under his breath. “You’re not going anywhere with Somersby.” The miscreant never thought about anything but getting underneath a lady’s skirts. “You haven’t told me what this is about.”
“I spoke with your sister-in-law about the charity ball, and I’ve uncovered several discrepancies that might be pertinent to your quest for answers. You know, about yourbrother.”
He escorted Sandrine a short distance from hisfriends so that they could speak in private, since he hadn’t yet told any other members of the club about being accosted.
“What manner of discrepancies?”
“Charities that never received the promised funds from last year’s event. And charities that may well not even exist. That’s where we’re going today. To visit a charitable society in East Edston and ascertain its legitimacy.”
“And where does Mrs. McGovern think you are?”
“With Francesca for the day and evening.”
“And where does Francesca think you are?”
“I told her I’d return shortly. You’re delaying, come along. I’ve been told the journey is less than one hour. We should be there and back expediently.”
He’d sworn to never be alone with her again. Sworn to run like hell at the very idea. But she’d uncovered a new clue to his brother’s potential wrongdoings. They had to follow up. He knew her well enough by now to know that she would find a way to accomplish her goals, with or without his consent.
“I don’t like this.”