She had been; she still was around him. She swallowed and squared her shoulders. “We know the truth. Nothing happened.”
“Any man would be a fool not to try to win your favor. There are plenty of men…lords…trying to catch your eye even tonight. Why would you not let one of them catch you?”
Fanny crossed her arms over her chest, and it stopped Jeremy’s encroachment. “You’ve been listening to Papa and my brothers say I should marry,” she accused.
“I cannot avoid them or hearing things of that nature.” Jeremy nodded. “Your father mentioned others had taken advantage of you in the past and is suspicious of me too. He warned me not to be another, or I’d regret it, and I swear I will not stray beyond the terms of our contract. But I can easily see how to go about it. Bemoan a lack of funds and your reticule flies open. You believe all people are essentially good.”
“Everyone has good in them,” she protested.
“And so many choose to do ill instead,” he said with a scowl. “People say they care about others all the time and mean it less than a quarter. People are never completely honest.”
Fanny stared at him in surprise. Was he warning her to distrust him, too?
There was so much about Jeremy that she did not know, and so much he wouldn’t say. His past was as murky as the Thames, and he didn’t like to talk about his future beyond the next play. But he had to make plans. He could not hope to stumble from one performance to another and expect to succeed brilliantly. “I think your past experiences have clouded your judgement. I think—”
“Ah, there you are, Lady Rivers!” Lord Thwaite exclaimed jovially as he joined them in the moonlight. “And you are by her side again, Mr. Dawes. I’m surprised you’re not off making yourself known to the young ladies and charming them.”
“It’s hardly the time to charm anyone,” Jeremy noted, in a voice so devoid of warmth that she almost shivered in dread.
Fanny hadn’t heard anyone approaching across the ballroom’s hardwood floor, and she really should have. How much of their conversation had Thwaite heard before interrupting? “Mr. Dawes was just telling me about his hope for a fascinating new play,” Fanny told Thwaite, stepping between them. “I so look forward to seeing him perform again.”
Thwaite smirked and then wiped the expression clean. “Perhaps we’ll watch him together in the future. The view from my box is exceptional.”
“She already has a box,” Jeremy said flatly, moving to her side. “The best box in the theater is right by the stage, and she owns it.”
“Yes, I have always had a great interest in the theater,” she enthused. “I never miss a performance when in London, especially not when Jeremy is onstage.”
Thwaite’s eyes darted to Jeremy and, in the darkness, she sensed they narrowed in suspicion. “Well, now I must discover for myself what sort of performer he really is.”
Fanny felt the hair on the back of her neck rise in warning, but she dismissed the sensation. She had wanted people to believe Jeremy was a romantic interest of hers and leave her to it. From Thwaite, she sensed a keen interest to discover the whole truth. Time to distract him. “And now, having availed myself of the view and the tranquil country air, I was just about to return inside to encourage my sister to play.”
“It would be a pleasure to escort you,” Thwaite said quickly, depriving Jeremy of the chance.
She reluctantly placed her hand Thwaite’s sleeve. “Mr. Dawes was just remarking upon the difference in the clarity of the stars when in the country compared to the lack in London.”
Thwaite looked down at her. “’Tis a prettier view at Stapleton indeed.” Fanny caught a flicker of smug satisfaction on Thwaite’s face before he turned her away from Jeremy. “Do excuse us, sir.”
“Certainly. But I will be returning to the drawing room, as well.”
Thwaite leaned his head closer to hers. “Have you given any thought to the Hampton Street project?”
“Not as yet.”
“It will be a very profitable enterprise,” he enthused. “I have every confidence we can overcome current difficulties with an injection of new money from discerning investors like yourself.”
“That, I shall decide for myself at a later time.”
“We should meet to discuss the project. I wouldn’t want anyone catching wind of our partnership too soon and having you lose your chance to join your friends.”
She shrugged. Fanny was a little too tired for business talk tonight. “I shall look into the matter when I have a spare moment, my lord.”
Thwaite had the sense not to press her and took her toward the fire, where her father sat on a long chaise and guided her down to sit beside him.
Jeremy stopped not far away and caught her eye. “Would you care for a refreshment, my lady?”
She smiled at Jeremy and he smiled back, while her silly heart gave another ridiculous jump in her chest. “A sherry would be lovely, Mr. Dawes. Thank you.”
“Your grace?”