Part 19 (1/2)
Just then Sybil turned and slipped out the French doors that led to the terrace, with Onslow following behind her a moment later.
”Oh, my word,” Arabella muttered in dismay.
”What is wrong?” Marcus asked.
”Sybil has just disappeared outside alone with a gazetted rake. Her father will have an apoplectic fit if his precious child is allowed to become the target of a fortune hunter.”
She began moving toward the doors, but Marcus detained her with a hand on her arm. ”So why is that your concern?”
She eyed him in exasperation. ”If it happens while under our care, Mr. Newstead will blame us for negligence and will likely withdraw Sybil from the academy-and other parents could follow suit.”
Arabella glanced impatiently at the French doors. ”That irksome chit has very little sense, but I must save her from herself. I cannot let her ruin herself or our school's reputation.”
”Allow me to help.”
She hesitated. ”Would you mind terribly?”
”If I minded, I would not have offered.”
”Very well then, I would appreciate your help.”
”Tell me what you know about this fortune hunter.”
As he took Arabella's arm and casually strolled toward the French doors, she related something of Jasper Onslow's background-how the young man had run up huge gaming debts in London and often rusticated here at his parents' country estate in order to escape his creditors.
Marcus nodded in understanding, but when they reached the doors, he paused to gaze out at the darkened terrace. Through a part in the chintz draperies, Arabella could see the dismaying spectacle of Sybil locked in a pa.s.sionate embrace with Jasper Onslow.
”Wait here,” Marcus murmured. ”I can better handle this alone.”
When he stepped outside, Arabella could hear the conversation well enough.
”Ah, there you are, Miss Newstead, I have been searching for you.”
Sybil jumped two feet and scrambled to break away from her lover, then hurried to wipe her damp lips while staring at Marcus in evident chagrin. ”M-my l-lord...how you startled me....”
”I could see that.” Arabella could hear the wry smile in his voice when he added lazily, ”My apologies if I interrupted anything of import, but you promised me another dance.”
When Sybil looked puzzled, Arabella realized they had made no such arrangement, but before the girl could reply, Marcus addressed Jasper. ”Sorry, old fellow, but I have prior claim on this little heartbreaker.” He held out his arm to Sybil. ”Will you do me the honor of dancing with me?”
”Y-yes, my l-lord...of course.”
Onslow scowled as Marcus led Sybil back inside, while Sybil smiled brightly and shot Arabella a triumphant look as she pa.s.sed.
Quelling the unexpected p.r.i.c.k of jealousy she felt at seeing the girl on Marcus's arm, Arabella caught his eye and offered him a look of relief and grat.i.tude. But it was nearly two hours later before the ball ended and she had the opportunity to express her appreciation personally. When Marcus sought her out on the sidelines, she was moving toward the ballroom entrance doors, where the guests were congregating to claim their wraps and to order their carriages.
”Thank you immensely for rescuing Sybil,” Arabella said sincerely. ”I will have to keep a closer eye on her in the future, but tonight you averted a potential disaster.”
”You are quite welcome.” He smiled. ”I know how difficult it is for a woman of your independent nature to ask for help from a man, but I am gratified that you need me for something.”
”Men are sometimes necessary,” Arabella agreed with a smile. ”And I admit, you handled Sybil better than I could.” She paused. ”I also wish to thank you again for being so generous to my sisters.”
Marcus shrugged. ”It was of no moment. But I mean to claim a reward.”
”Reward?”
”Nothing too taxing. I require your attendance in London Wednesday evening.”
Arabella sent him a little frown. ”In London?”
He smiled crookedly. ”Don't look so anxious, sweeting. I merely wish to take you to the theater. I promised weeks ago to escort my sister and aunt to a play at Covent Garden, and I would like you to *
accompany us. Lady Freemantle has agreed to act as chaperone for you, if you are worried about propriety.”
Arabella's eyebrow shot up. ”You mean to say that you have already settled the matter with her?”
”Yes, so you would have no reason to refuse. I thought you might enjoy an evening on the town. You have been working much too hard of late.”
Arabella felt herself searching his blue gaze. When was the last time a man had been concerned with her enjoyment? Certainly not her father or her step-uncle. Not even her betrothed had cared enough about her welfare to put himself to this much trouble.
”Come, admit it, you want to attend,” Marcus coaxed with a disarming grin.
His perceptiveness was unsettling, but Arabella couldn't deny his offer held great appeal. She did long for an evening in London. The academy was close enough to the city that she and the other teachers occasionally accompanied their pupils to plays and operas so the girls could practice their social graces.
But attending the theater with her pupils was not the same as attending with Marcus.
Which was precisely why she should decline. It would doubtless be a mistake to spend an entire evening out with him. But if Winifred were to accompany them...
”You cannot use the excuse that you have nothing to wear,” Marcus interjected. ”I ordered the modiste to make up a dozen more evening gowns for you.”
Arabella stared at him in exasperation. ”After I expressly asked you not to spend your fortune on me?”
”Precisely, my lovely Belle. I didn't want any argument from you about taking my charity. So say you will come. I want you to meet Eleanor. I expect you will like each other.”
Surely it wouldn't hurt to indulge just this once, Arabella told herself. After the intriguing tales she'd heard about his sister, she did indeed want to meet Eleanor. And merely because she accepted Marcus's invitation to meet his family didn't mean she had to accept his proposal of marriage.
”Thank you,” she finally said. ”I would enjoy attending the theater with you Wednesday evening and meeting Eleanor.”
The humorous creases around his mouth deepened. ”Good. You have spared me having to browbeat you.” He glanced at the diminis.h.i.+ng crowd. ”I'll order my carriage now if you will locate your sisters.”
Arabella watched him walk away, marveling at how persuasive Marcus could be. Yet it was his genuine kindness that brought a strange ache to her throat. Before meeting him, she had presumed him to be nothing but a bored, selfish rake like so many of his peers, but this past week had certainly dashed all her prior a.s.sumptions about him.
His kindness was more devastating than all his sensual efforts at seduction-and made him infinitely harder to resist. And far more dangerous.