Rochford hurried toward them, his face relaxing in relief. What the devil are you doing out here? Are you all right?
Beside Callie, as they came forward into the light, she heard her companion suck in a sharp breath and stop dead still. She half turned toward him questioningly, then glanced back at her brother, realizing that he, too, had come to a sudden halt.
Rochford stared at the man standing beside Callie, a black scowl drawing up his features. You! he snarled at the Cavalier. Get away from my sister!
CHAPTER THREE
CALLIE GAPED at her brother, amazed at his uncustomary rudeness. Sinclair! She went forward, reaching out a hand to her brother in a calming gesture. Please, no. You misunderstand the situation.
I understand it perfectly well, Rochford retorted, his eyes never leaving the other mans face.
No, you do not, Callie retorted sharply. This man did nothing to harm me. He helped me.
She turned back to her companion, who was gazing at the duke with an expression as stony as Rochfords. Suppressing a sigh at such masculine behavior, Callie said, Sir, allow me to introduce you to my brother, the Duke of Rochford.
Yes, the Cavalier said coldly. I know the duke.
Oh. Callie looked from one man to the other, realizing that some other, stronger, undercurrent of feeling lay here, something unrelated to her being on the terrace with a man.
Lord Bromwell, Sinclair responded, his manner, if possible, even stiffer than before. Without looking at Callie, he said, Calandra, go inside.
No, Callie answered. Sinclair, be reasonable. Let me explain.
Callie! Sinclairs voice lashed out, sharp as a whip. You heard me. Go back inside.
Callie flushed, stung by his peremptory tone. He had spoken to her as if she were a child being sent off to bed.
Sinclair! she shot back. Dont speak to me that
He swung to face her. I told yougo back inside. Now.
Callie drew a breath, hurt and anger piercing her with equal sharpness. She started to protest, to take her brother to task for treating her this way, but she realized even as the thought came to her that she simply could not create a scene at Aunt Odelias party. Someone might step out of the door at any moment; there could even be someone in the garden now, listening. She had no desire to be caught in a blazing argument with her brother. She was embarrassed enough as it was, having been taken to task in front of this man, whom she barely knew.
Her eyes flashed, but she swallowed her words. She gave a short nod to Lord Bromwell, then whirled and stalked past her brother without a word.
The duke stood, watching the other man in silence, until Calandra had disappeared inside the ballroom. Then he said in a quiet voice as hard as iron, Leave my sister alone.
Bromwell looked amused as he crossed his arms and considered the man before him. How deliciously ironicto hear the Duke of Rochford so concerned over the honor of a young woman. But, then, I suppose, it is different when the young woman is the dukes sister, is it not?
With a sardonic look at Rochford, he started to walk around him, but the duke reached out and caught his arm. Bromwell went still, his gray eyes icing over. He looked down at the other mans hand on his arm, then up at the dukes face.
Have a care, Rochford, he said softly. I am not the boy I was fifteen years ago.
Indeed? Rochford asked, letting his hand fall to his side. You were a fool then, but youre ten times a fool now if you think I will allow you to harm my sister in any way.
I believe Lady Calandra is a woman grown, Rochford. And you are the fool if you think that you can keep her heart from going where it chooses.
An unholy fire lit the dukes dark eyes. Damn it, Bromwell. I am telling youstay away from my sister.
Lord Bromwell gazed back at him, his expression unyielding, then turned without a word and walked away.
CALLIE WAS FURIOUS. She could not remember when she had been so angry with her brotherindeed, so angry with anyoneas she was now. How dare he speak to her as if he were her father? And in front of another person! A stranger!
Her throat was tight, and tears pricked at her eyelids. But she refused to cry. She would not let him see, would not let anyone see, how Sinclairs words had affected her.
She walked through the ballroom, looking neither left nor right, not even sure what she intended to do, only walking as fast as she could away from what had happened on the terrace. Through the red haze of her anger, she noticed that the ballroom was virtually empty and that the musicians were absent from their positions on the small stage at one end of the room.
Supper. The guests were all at the casual midnight buffet in the small ballroom across the hall. Callie started toward it, remembering at the last second that she still wore Lord Bromwells Cavalier cloak around her shoulders. She reached up and untied it, hastily folding it into a compact pad of material as she entered the small ballroom and looked around.
She saw her grandmother at last, sitting at a small table with Aunt Odelia and another elderly woman, their plates of delicacies still on the table before them. Lady Odelia, of course, was holding forth. The duchess listened politely, spine as straight as ever, not touching the back of her chair, and her eyes blank with boredom.
Callie walked over to the table, and her grandmother turned, seeing her. Calandra! There you are. Where have you been? I could not find you anywhere. I sent Rochford to look for you.
Yes, he found me, Callie answered shortly. She glanced at the other two women with the duchess. Grandmother, I would like to leave now, if you dont mind.
Why, of course. The duchess looked, frankly, relieved, and immediately started to rise. Are you all right?
II have a headache, Im afraid. Callie turned to her great-aunt, forcing a smile. I am sorry, Aunt Odelia. It is a wonderful party, but I am not, Im afraid, feeling at all the thing.
Well, of course. All the excitement, no doubt, the old lady responded, a trifle smugly. She turned toward her companion, giving a decided nod that caused her orange wig to slip a bit. Girls these days just dont have the stamina we did, I find. She swung her attention back to Callie. Run along, then, child.
I will send a footman to find Rochford and tell him we wish to leave, the duchess told Callie, turning and gesturing imperiously to one of the servants.
No! I meancan we not just go? Callie asked. My head is throbbing. And I am sure that Rochford will be well able to find his way home on his own.
Why, yes, I suppose. The duchess looked concerned and came around the table to peer into Callies face. You do look a bit flushed. Perhaps you are coming down with a fever.
I am sure Lady Odelia is right. It is simply too much excitement, Callie replied. All the dancing and the noise
Come along, then, the duchess said, nodding in farewell to her companions and starting for the hall. She glanced down at Callies hand. Whatever are you carrying, child?
What? Oh. This. Callie glanced down at the folded cape in her hand, and her fingers clenched more tightly upon it. Its nothing. I was holding it for someone. It doesnt matter.