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when I could easily prevent it.”
    When Madeline continued to debate with herself, he added provokingly, “Surely you won’t refuse just to spare your pride? It is not charity to help find you gainful employment.”
    Pride was indeed a major flaw of hers, Madeline conceded.
Maman
had frequently lamented her failing. And admittedly, she was prickly about the need to acceptcharity. She bit her lower lip, wondering what her
maman
would do in this situation.
    “So are we agreed?” Haviland asked, watching her expression.
    Madeline raised a hand to her temple. Her head was spinning at the speed with which this man was directing her life. Yet if he merely gave her an introduction to Lady Danvers and secured her an interview for a position as a teacher … well, that would not be so bad—
    She gave a start when another male voice interrupted her thoughts.
    “I say, old chap, I did not realize you were occupied.”
    At the unexpected arrival of the newcomer, Madeline jumped to her feet, and in the process, Haviland’s greatcoat slipped from one shoulder to expose her nightdress.
    The rather gangly blond-haired gentleman who had just entered the parlor stopped abruptly to give her an admiring perusal. “Leave it to you to find a willing female to comfort you on a foul night like this, Rayne,” he said with a touch of envy in his tone.
    Madeline flushed pink as she righted the garment to cover her exposure, while Haviland rose and spoke to the blond man rather sharply. “Stubble your wicked misconjectures, cawker. Miss Ellis is a lady. You merely find her under unfortunate circumstances.”
    His tone softened as he addressed Madeline. “I beg your pardon, Miss Ellis. This sorry bleater is a distant cousin of mine—the Honorable Mr. Freddie Lunsford.”
    Mr. Lunsford eyed her skeptically for another moment, then executed a gallant bow and flashed a charming grin. “Do forgive me, Miss Ellis. I frequently eat both of my feet at once. But you can see how I could have misconstrued events.”
    He seemed sincere, Madeline decided, judging from his earnest tone. So she returned a faint smile. “Yes, indeed, Mr. Lunsford, I quite understand. And it is I who should ask your forgiveness for intruding on your meeting with Lord Haviland.”
    When she picked up her pistol from the sofa seat, however, Lunsford’s blue eyes widened, and it was Haviland’s turn to smother a grin. “You will learn it is wise not to provoke Miss Ellis, Freddie.”
    Lunsford swallowed, and his voice seemed a trifle high when he asked, “You don’t mean to shoot anyone, do you, ma’am?”
    Madeline gave Haviland a repressive glance before saying sweetly, “I hope the need for shooting has passed, Mr. Lunsford.”
    There was still a gleam of amusement in Haviland’s eyes when he spoke again to his relative. “I know we meant to discuss your situation, Freddie, but I fear our plans will have to change. I must convey Miss Ellis to Chiswick tonight, and it would be best not to arrive too late.”
    “But time is growing devilish tight, Rayne,” Lunsford protested even before Madeline could make her own objection to the scheme.
    Haviland held up a hand. “My apologies, old fellow, but Miss Ellis’s welfare takes precedence over yours just now since her case is more immediate. I can return here in a few hours—or you may follow us in your carriage and stay the night at Riverwood, which will allow ample time for you to tell me your tale. In any event, it will be morning before I can act, so we will not actually lose any time. Moreover, I’m certain you don’t wish to air your grievances in a lady’s hearing.”
    Freddie opened his mouth to speak, then evidently thought better of saying too much in front of Madeline and sighed in resignation. “Very well, I will follow you. But if I cannot deliver within a week, my goose will be well and truly cooked.”
    “I understand. But it will not come to that, I promise you. Your goose will be quite