Chapter 3

Thank goodness she had been wearing a chemise beneath her blue ballgown or much more would have been exposed when Clarkston was pulled away. The tear of fabric had registered in her mind, but she had assumed it was a simple seam from where Clarkston had his hand on her sleeve when he gripped her arm. She had not realized that it was the shoulder that had been torn, separating the bodice from the back of her gown, which had fallen on one side, revealing a chemise-covered breast. "I shall take you home," Knight said.

"I will inform my sister and leave my carriage for her and Lydell," Bolton offered. "Wait for me."

"Wait," Carina cried. "Do not tell them what happened, especially in a room full of gossips."

"I will tell them you suddenly were not feeling well…overcome with heat, or a headache, and that Knight took you home, but insisted they stay."

"Thank you."

"Come with me, Carina." Knight offered his arm. "I need to retrieve the carriage and you shouldn't be standing out here alone."

She nodded and allowed Knight to lead her away as Bolton darted into the Assembly Rooms.

The carriage was thankfully not far away, and Knight opened the door and assisted her inside.

"How are you?" he finally asked.

"Angry." It was the first word that came to mind, but she was experiencing so much more.

In that moment she realized her hands were shaking. Knight reached in and took them in his. "He did not hurt you, Carina, and no one will ever learn the insult you suffered tonight."

"Why are gentlemen so horrible?"

"Not all gentlemen are. Only a few who believe they are entitled by birth or when they've had too much to drink, step beyond what is proper."

"You heard what he said to me?"

"Only the end, once I was close enough to hear," he whispered. "I wish I would have intervened much sooner."

"It is not your fault."

"I knew you came outside, then I saw Clarkston, but remained where I was until I realized what he was about."

Humiliation engulfed Carina.

First, to be accosted by Clarkston after he refused her rejection, then in not realizing that her dress had been torn revealing one breast, which was thankfully still covered by her chemise, and third, to know that Knight had heard the improper advance, and Bolton may have also.

"Lydell and my sister agreed to remain after I assured them that your only complaint was a headache," Bolton said as he drew near the carriage.

"You will ride with her while I drive?" Felix asked.

"Yes."

"You do not need to stay with me. I am fine," Carina insisted, though in truth, she was glad that she was not alone and with the two gentlemen that she did trust.

Bolton may be a known rake, and misses practically swooned in his presence, but Carina had known him since she was in school with Gaia. He had often been her friend and treated her as one of the family. As for Knight, given how often he was known to be in Bolton's presence in questionable locations, he was quickly gaining the same reputation. She still trusted the two of them above all other gentlemen and did not fear being alone in their presence.

However, if Society learned that she'd been alone with either one of them, let alone both, she'd be ruined beyond repair.

Felix hated that he was the one driving the carriage while Bolton was able to comfort Carina inside.

Even though Bolton treated her more like a sister, Felix wanted to be the one to hold her hand or hold her if she wished to cry on his shoulder.

Rage also burned within. Had Bolton not stopped him, Felix would have beaten Clarkston to such a state that he'd not be able to open his eyes or move without pain for a bloody sennight.

Perhaps Clarkston would get his due tomorrow morning when Bolton met him on the field of honor.

If only he wasn't hiding his identity, then Felix could have been the one to call Clarkston out, after he beat him. Except, no doubt the rumors would then reach his grandfather and Felix would be ordered home. He would ignore such but would be forced to leave Bath so that he might live in peace somewhere else.

None of that mattered now. Carina did and it was Bolton who was offering comfort. Thank goodness Lydell's home was not so far from Bath that once they arrived, he would be able to care for Carina and send Bolton home.

Except, Bolton left his carriage for Lydell and his wife so he would be at the estate and likely comforting Carina even more.

Blast!

Felix clicked the reins so that the horses would pick up their pace and he kept up the swift speed until they were turning down the drive to the Lydell estate, which was more a small castle than a house.

Once they arrived, he hopped from the seat then strode for the door to assist Carina. Bolton relinquished her, and instead of taking the carriage back to the stables, Felix escorted her inside and instructed a footman to see to the task. The stables had servants who could see to the horses. Caring for Carina was more important.

"Would you like me to request tea?" he asked.

"I would prefer brandy," she answered as she neared the foot of the stairs. "I will return after I have changed my gown."

Carina did seem better but must still be shaken if she wanted brandy.

"I will await you in the library with a glass at the ready."

"As will I," Bolton announced from behind him.

Blast! He wished Bolton would leave, but since he could not, Felix would be forced to endure his presence.

Normally he and Bolton were friends, and often visited the same pubs. There was a time that they visited the same houses of ill-repute and compared mistresses, but Felix hadn't been intimate with any woman since before Lydell began courting his wife. Which also coincided with Felix meeting Carina and he found that he wanted no other woman.

Bolton, however, had never ceased his pursuit of widows, lightskirts or mistresses, and he had known Carina much longer than Felix, therefore, there should be no concern.

Except, Felix wanted to be alone with Carina to make certain that she had recovered from her earlier encounter with Clarkston.

"Pour one for me," Bolton said as he followed Felix into the library.

"Is your mistress not missing you tonight?" Felix asked.

"I am between mistresses right now, whereas you have not engaged one in months."

"It is difficult to support one on a coachman's salary." He poured Bolton a glass of brandy and handed it to him. "You know what could happen if you kill Clarkston, don't you?" he said to Bolton.

Bolton shrugged. "The Continent if my father doesn't intervene. Sometimes being an earl and the son of a marquess frees a gentleman from facing Newgate."

"Whereas a coachman could face the gallows."

"Most coachmen," he murmured. "You are not most."

Felix narrowed his eyes.

"I have known for some time who you are," Bolton offered. "My suspicions began when you were so informal with Lydell. Neither a coachman, driver nor footman would be so familiar within the house of his employer as you. Too often you step beyond your place and Lydell does not seem to mind."

"We became friends as well as employer and employee when he first arrived in London," Felix explained.

"You masquerade and Lydell is grateful to have someone that he trusts. He likely suspects you are more as well but will not question it because he likes having the friendship and probably assumes you have a reason for pretending to be someone or something else."

"Why would he think otherwise," Felix asked instead of denying that he was pretending to be someone else.

"Lydell may not have realized that English servants behave with more reserve than you when he had first arrived in London, but he has lived in England long enough now to know that such a friendship as the two of you share is not common and would be looked down upon."

Bolton spoke the truth but Felix was not going to confess to anything. And he was correct. In any other circumstance, he may have poured the brandy in the role as a footman, but he'd not remain to comfort Carina. Except, as an employee herself, Felix could pour her a glass of wine, but not in the library of their employer.

"Who do you think I am?" Felix asked.

"Exactly who you say you are as you never denied the name given to you at birth. You have simply failed to mention that your father is a viscount and grandfather an earl."

Felix could deny Bolton's conclusion but knew that it would do no good. "Have you mentioned this to your sister, brother-in-law or anyone else?"

Bolton shrugged. "No. I assume you have your reasons, which no doubt have something to do with your grandfather. I have met him. A most unpleasant gentleman."

"That is part of it. I just want a simpler life without his constant demands that I obey his dictates."

"Thank goodness that the only familial argument I have with my parents is that they believe it is time that I marry, whereas I don't." Bolton chuckled.

"If that was all I needed to contend with, I likely would not be a coachman," Felix answered then took a drink of his brandy. He did not like to talk about his family but was glad to have someone who knew the truth, which is likely why Bolton had befriended him early on. He knew they were born to similar circumstances.

"When did you fall in love with her?"

Felix stopped and faced Bolton. "What did you say?"

"You are in love with Carina."

"You are mistaken."

Bolton snorted. "You only go to pubs but have not partaken in the more intimate pleasures enjoyed by most gentlemen since you met her."

Felix hadn't realized that Bolton, or anyone else, had noticed.

"My schedule has not allowed for such pleasures, nor does my meager salary."

Once again, Bolton snorted. "You should court her."

"In truth, I have attempted to do so but she has rejected me at every turn. Carina has no interest in me."

Bolton tilted his head and studied Felix. "Are you certain?"

Before he could answer, Felix became alert to Carina's footsteps on the stairs. He'd been in the house often enough that he could identify her approach not only on the stairs but as she came down the corridor.