She gave a half laugh. “I find that difficult to believe, my lord.”
He leaned forward, lowering his voice. “Are you honestly unable to see the damage that your being found alone here would do to your reputation?”
“I would imagine that the damage would be significantly less than that of being discovered here with you.” She gave a little wave, indicating the rest of the tavern. “There are plenty of unaccompanied ladies here.”
Ralston’s eyes darkened. “I highly doubt that those particular ‘ladies’ expect to remain unaccompanied.”
She did not immediately take his meaning, furrowing her brow in confusion. When, after a few seconds, understanding dawned, she looked to the unattached women around the pub and then back to him, wide-eyed. He nodded, as if to confirm her suspicions.
She gasped, “But—I am not…”
“I know.”
“I would never—”
He tipped his head in acknowledgment of her words. “It begs the question…Why are you here?”
She was silent long enough for him to think she might not answer the question. Then she said, “If you must know, I am here to drink scotch.”
One dark eyebrow rose. “Forgive me if I do not believe you.”
“It’s true!”
“It does not take a master investigator to see that you are not a scotch drinker, Lady Calpurnia.”
“It’s true,” she repeated.
He gave an irritated sigh, leaning back in his chair. “Really,” he said, as though it was nothing of the sort.
“Yes!” She grew indignant. “Why is that so difficult to believe?”
“Well, first, I can assure you that the scotch at Allendale House is likely legions better than whatever swill they’ve given you here. So why not simply have a drink there?”
“I want to drink here. I find the atmosphere…engaging.”
“You didn’t even know here existed until two hours ago,” he pointed out.
She was silent. Realizing she was not going to respond, he continued. “Secondly, you seem to be thoroughly averse to actually drinking the scotch in front of you.”
The gleam in her eyes became defiant. “Do I?” And with that, she lifted the glass, saluting him with it before taking an enormous swallow of the amber liquid.
She immediately began coughing and sputtering, clutching a hand to her chest and blindly setting the glass on the table. It took her several moments to regain control of her faculties; when she did, it was to find that he had not moved except to assume a look of smug superiority.
His voice was dry as sand when he said, “It is an acquired taste.”
“Evidently,” she replied, peevishly. Then adding, “I believe my throat is on fire.”
“That particular sensation will abate.” He paused, then added, “It would probably be best if your next taste is more of a sip than a gulp.”
“Thank you, my lord, I hadn’t considered that,” she said dryly.
“What are you doing here?” The words were quiet and cajoling, matched with a warm curiosity in his blue eyes.
“I already told you.” She took a little sip of the liquid in her glass, grimacing.
He sighed again, gaze locked on her. “If that is true, you are more careless than I thought. You are taking a serious risk with your reputation tonight.”
“I wore a disguise.”
“Not a very good one.”
She lifted a hand to her lace cap, nervously. “No one recognized me.”
“I recognized you.”
“You’re different.”
He paused, watching her. “You are right. I am different. Unlike most of the men an unchaperoned female would meet in an establishment such as this, I have a marked interest in preserving your honor.”
“Thank you, Lord Ralston,” she scoffed, “but I do not need your protection.”
“It appears that you need precisely that. Or, shall I remind you that you and your family are about to be linked to my sister? She has enough against her. She doesn’t need you ruining your reputation and her chances at success in one fell swoop.”
The whiskey made her bold. “If you have such concern for the quality of my reputation, my lord, may I suggest you find another to guide your sister into society?”
His eyes narrowed on hers. “No, Lady Calpurnia. We have an agreement. I want you.”
“Why?”
“Because she trusts you and enjoys your company. And because I do not have enough time to return to the beginning and find someone else.” His tone turned to steel.
The barmaid returned then, leaning close enough to provide Ralston with an excellent view of her more-than-ample charms. “Is there anything else yer needin’ this evenin’, milord?”
“Not tonight,” Ralston said with a careless smile, registering Callie’s shock at the woman’s overt invitation.
“I’ve got other ways of makin’ ye comfortable, luv.”
Callie’s eyes were wide as saucers.
“I’m certain you do,” Ralston said wickedly, producing a crown and slowly sliding the coin into the barmaid’s palm. “Thank you.”
Callie inhaled sharply. Her tone iced. “I grow weary of being told how to behave, as though I am unable to think for myself, especially by someone like you.”
“Whatever do you mean?” he asked innocently.
“You cannot mean to suggest that you did not notice her…her…”
A smile played across his lips. “Her…?”