If He's Tempted (Wherlocke #5)

Olympia wanted to argue with his plan but bit her tongue instead. Most of the reasons she had for him not to go with her, even as an unseen guard, were ones born of the fact that his own mother had caused him to be so thoroughly rejected by society. That was finally beginning to ease, more and more people beginning to question the tales Lady Mallam told about her son. Olympia was certain they had the marquis of Understone Hill to thank for that.

It was not enough yet, though, and many a door was still shut to him. He never got an invite to any event. If anyone caught sight of Brant escorting her anywhere, whispers about what he and she might be doing together would begin to fly fast and furious throughout the ton. It was only her concern about his feelings that troubled her about that possibility, however, for she knew he would take on all the guilt for any damage done to her reputation. He need no more guilt wearing him down. It could also be just enough to destroy what few repairs had been made to his own thoroughly blackened reputation.

“Just as long as you do not allow yourself to be seen,” she said, “for there have been a few who have begun to question all your mother has said about you and we do not wish to destroy that. We will be in sore need of it later, I think.”

“I know that but I cannot just sit here and do nothing while you walk into that pit of vipers. And what of all your bruises? Do you think there will be no questions asked as to why your face is that color?”

“I shall just say that someone attempted to rob me as I returned home after doing some shopping. Not such a rare occurrence, sad to say. I will also dim the harshness of them with a touch of cosmetics.”

Artemis shook his head. “That might work but I do not understand why you continue to go about just listening. There is little of import to be gained from gossiping.”

“You are quite wrong there, Artemis,” Olympia said and was pleased to see Brant nod in agreement. “While much of the gossip has little foundation in truth or is but petty, useless news, there can sometimes be the hint of a very interesting fact. It does tell you who society has turned against, however, and quite often gives you an idea about who is doing the slandering.”

“We already know who is slandering Fieldgate.”

“One also needs to know what lies are being told if one is to refute them.” She smiled faintly. “And Emily has always been a friend. One must never treat the gift of friendship lightly. This is her one large gathering, all she can afford, which is why she chose a time when many in society are at their country houses. She never fails to invite me. Never. I have to go.” She glanced at the clock over the mantelpiece. “And I had best go and begin the long, tedious process of preparing myself.”

“There are times when a strong woman can be the very best asset any man can have,” said Brant as he watched the door shut behind Olympia.

“And more times when it can be a royal pain in the arse,” muttered Artemis and laughed along with Stefan and Brant. “Why is this taking so long?” he asked as soon as the laughter quieted.

“If I was my mother’s only child, it would be done and she would be gone. I would care nothing about scandal or a taint to the name for, despite that, my marriage prospects would not be dampened much. But I have a younger sister and two younger brothers. I also have two older sisters, married and in society. I am trying very hard to end this as quietly as possible.”

“Which means you must slip through the legalities of it all with as few people as possible.” Artemis nodded. “I can understand that. It is just that she had my aunt attacked and would have had her killed. That makes me anxious to have the threat removed.”

Despite the fact that Artemis and Stefan were still boys by many people’s reckoning, the looks on their faces as Artemis said those last words were not ones to be ignored. They wanted his mother gone. He doubted the boy was meaning a simple seclusion in the country when he spoke of having her removed. Once he had understood how easily Olympia could have been killed that day in the alley, he had begun to think the same.

“It may yet come to that. Again, once the truth was known, I would suffer no penalty for how I rid my family of a threat but the others in my family would. Through society, the gossip they so love, and the cruelty that can be all too prevalent, they would suffer.”

Stefan shook his head. “Have never understood why anyone would fight so hard to remain a part of something that seems rife with backstabbers and liars and worse.”

“For marriages, information, alliances that might fatten one’s purse. Many things are there that are useful if someone wishes to take the time and effort to wade through the muck to find it. My first investment, the one that helped Ashton get out of debt, was something we began upon meeting a man at a society event.”

“Ah, there is that, I suppose.”