"She's not one of us," Carolyn interrupted. "I had doubts when I heard that outlandish name. You should have told me she was a native. That's the reason my conscience compelled me to return. As soon as I met her, I realized my instincts were correct. She should not be here."
As soon as she had noticed Lani's beauty, he corrected mentally. Jesus, he wished she hadn't seen her. "I understand your concern, but I can hardly refuse her my hospitality."
"Send her to me. I'll find respectable lodgings for her." Carolyn smiled sweetly. "Believe me, it's for the best. There would be too much talk if she remains here. The ton would never understand if you accepted this native woman into your home."
He smothered the flare of anger at her words and smiled in return. "You're right, of course. My reputation is not of the best. It might prove a scandal… unless someone of your stature intervened."
She went still. "What do you mean?"
"We're such old friends, Carolyn. I know you'll help me."
"In what way?" she said warily.
"You have such influence that I'm certain all that would be needed is a word or two to accomplish the task."
"You wish me to sponsor this woman?" she asked incredulously.
"As a personal favor to me." His voice deepening to coaxing persuasion, he exerted every bit of charm at his command. "I would be very, very grateful."
"I couldn't possibly do-" She met his gaze, and he could see the scales being weighed beneath those golden curls. "Naturally, I would never refuse you anything, but it will not be easy." She patted his cheek. "Be sure to have the woman at my ball tomorrow night. I'll introduce her there."
"Wonderful. Now that that pesky problem is solved, will you stay for luncheon?"
She shook her head. "My house is turned upside down with preparations for tomorrow night. I must get back." She paused and then added meaningfully, "I hope there will be many opportunities for us to share a meal at a later date."
Payment for favors given, Jared thought cynically, and Carolyn would be the first to collect. "Perhaps we could ride together on the afternoon after the ball?"
"I would be enchanted." She gave him another brilliant smile and swept toward the door. "Until tomorrow night. I can hardly wait."
And he wished it would never come, Jared thought grimly. He had led Cassie to believe he would find an excuse not to go to Carolyn's ball, and she would not be pleased about Lani's being forced to run a social gauntlet.
It was not until they were at the dinner table that Jared related what had transpired with Carolyn. "And I expect you all to behave with decorum," he told Josette, Bradford, and Cassie. "I've gone to a great deal of trouble, and I don't want it to be for naught."
"Lani shouldn't go," Josette said flatly. "Lady Carradine will hurt her." She beamed. "In fact, none of us should go. I think it would be a splendid idea if we all stayed home."
"We will go," Jared said emphatically. "Nothing will happen. Carolyn has promised to sponsor Lani."
Bradford raised his brows. "Now, I wonder what you did to get her to do that?"
Cassie didn't wonder. She had watched him with the gargoyle and had no doubt he had used more of the same charm and sweet words.
Jared ignored the question. "If Carolyn sponsors Lani, she can't claim she's an unfit chaperon." He glanced at Josette. "And won't have grounds to demand you return to school."
"Oh." Josette was clearly torn but finally said, "Find some other way. I don't trust her."
"There's no other way. You're the one who chose to adopt Cassie and Lani and make use of them." He mockingly inclined his head to Cassie. "I had other plans for the ladies."
Cassie's grip tightened on her wine goblet. She liked none of this. Not Jared's subtle sensuality that never failed to disturb her, and certainly not this plan to make them go to the gargoyle's cave.
"Why don't we ask Lani?" Bradford suggested. He turned to her and said quietly, "You don't have to go. If Jared says he's made arrangements, Carolyn will give you no insult, but you don't have to do anything you have no wish to do."
Lani was silent a moment. "I will go."
Cassie leaned forward and grasped Lani's arm. "I think Josette is right, I don't trust Lady Carradine." To Jared, she said fiercely, "I won't have Lani hurt, do you understand?"
He threw up his hands. "Very well, you come up with a solution to keep Josette's position with the ton secure. I'm weary of being looked on as a villain."
"I said I'd go." Lani placed her napkin by her plate and rose to her feet. "No more talk. That's the end of it." She left the dining room.
Bradford stood. "Jared, I fervently hope you're right about this. I'd really detest snapping your neck." He followed Lani from the room.
Cassie and Josette stared at Jared.
He said through his teeth, "Carolyn won't break her word. I've made sure of it."
Josette grunted derisively. Cassie glared at him.
Jared threw down his napkin and stalked out of the room.
"Is he right?" Cassie asked. "Can he control Lady Carradine?"
"She won't hurt Lani in any obvious way." Josette smiled bitterly. "She can be very clever. Never once has she made mention of my birth. She gives little lectures to the other students on the horrors that butcher Napoleon is inflicting on good, honest Englishmen and then turns her back and doesn't hear when they attack me."
"Why don't you tell Jared?"
"I don't whine." She made a face. "And she gives me nothing to grab on to. She's a coward and her cruelty is very subtle. Just once I wish she'd lose her temper and slap me. Jared would never tolerate that, and I certainly give her enough cause."
Cassie smiled. "I'm sure you do." Her smile faded. "I know nothing about your customs. Is Jared right? Is it important that you belong to this ton?"
"Not to me." Josette paused. "But it's true, those ninnies at school would dry up and die if they were so ostracized."
"Yours is a very cruel world." Cassie frowned, troubled. "I don't wish this to happen to you, but if that woman hurts Lani, I can't allow it to go unpunished."
"Really?" Josette looked intrigued. "What would you do to her?"
Cassie's expression became grim. "Something very unpleasant."
"Then don't think of me," she said magnanimously. "I'll sacrifice everything, I'll suffer any indignity. Even if I'm cast out, I'll be brave and force myself to stay here in this great barn of a place, exercising the horses. On occasion perhaps a game of chess with Jared. It will be-"
"You're enjoying this too much," Cassie said dryly. "You might be happy cast out from the ton, but Jared would be furious. We must hope it doesn't come to that." She stood up and moved toward the door. "And the easiest way to avoid that happening is to convince Lani not to go."
"Cassie, I don't want to hear any more about it. I'm not afraid of her." Lani added with great firmness, "And for the last time, I won't hide tonight."
Cassie sighed in frustration. She had been trying since the night before to persuade Lani not to go to the ball, to no avail. She had not thought this last attempt would fare any better, but she had tried. "We're here to help Papa, not go to balls. Everything is becoming too complicated."
"Do you forget Charles when you help Josette?"
"I never forget Papa."
"Neither do I. It does no harm to give to a child in need." Lani suddenly smiled and embraced her. "Now, go and get dressed. It's getting late. Bradford said we should leave by seven. What are you going to wear?"
"The white silk." She made a face. "Josette says that, according to Lady Carradine, young, unmarried women should always wear white."
"I know you wish to help Josette, and you always look good in white." Lani turned to the armoire. "I believe I shall wear my yellow gown. I've always liked the color." She glanced over her shoulder with twinkling eyes. "And it will annoy Lady Carradine the most. It's as far from black widow's weeds as our island is from this England."