“It’s Avis.”
“I assumed that from our conversation in the carriage. What about Miss Copley?”
“She plans to take Emory Billingsworth as her…her…”
“Her what?”
“Lover,” she whispered. Her cheeks reddened in embarrassment.
Banning’s blood went cold. “I had no idea she was in love with Billingsworth,” he said, staring at the desk.
“I don’t believe she is. They act far more like friends than lovers or even people in love with each other. If they love each other at all I fear it may be only in a sibling manner.”
“Then why?”
“She told us she believes this will help her write more realistic characters.”
Bloody hell it would. Yet something in Sophie’s voice gave him pause. People said she had visions and read futures. He wondered idly if perhaps she sensed the truth about Billingsworth.
“But you don’t believe her, do you?”
“No.” She raised her head slowly and looked him square in the eye. “But I don’t know her true reason. It might come to me in time, as in a dream. But for now…” Sophie shrugged.
“So why are you bringing this matter to me?” Avis Copley could do whatever she wished with whomever she wanted.
“Because I believe you have information that could stop her.”
He might, but Avis would never believe him. She thought far too highly of Billingsworth.
“And you must stop her,” Sophie whispered.
“Miss Copley and her love affair is none of my concern,” Banning replied harshly.
Miss Reynard glared at him. “Indeed? She is your sister’s dearest friend. Do you want Jennette’s reputation sullied by her association with Avis if she takes that libertine as her lover?”
Banning clenched his fists on the desk. As much as Jennette might not care if her reputation were tainted, he cared.
Miss Reynard continued to glare at him. “You will stop her.”
“Why me? You should stop her. After all you are her friend, not I.”
“I have no information about Mr. Billingsworth that would influence her. I’m quite certain you do. Tell her what you know about the man.”
“It is highly unlikely that Miss Copley would even believe me.”
“You must try,” she implored in a quieter tone. “If not for Avis, then do this for your sister.”
“Very well.” He stood to his full height and crossed his arms over his chest. “Miss Copley despises me. How exactly do you propose I prevent her from involving herself with him?”
“I am certain you shall devise something,” she answered sweetly. “If all else fails, lie to her.”
She rose and quickly headed for the door. Before she reached for the knob, she looked back at him.
“She intends to slip away at her cousin’s ball tomorrow night with Mr. Billingsworth. He normally leaves for his crumbling estate in Devon as soon as the Season ends. Prevent her from asking him before he leaves. Hopefully by the time he returns, she will have forgotten her mad idea.” She inclined her head toward him. “Good day, my lord.”
He mumbled something as she shut the door behind her but it certainly wasn’t “goodbye.”
One day.
He had one day to determine the best course of action. How had he allowed himself to be pulled into this? He did not even like Avis Copley. Well, that wasn’t exactly the truth. But like and lust were two very different emotions. It was the lust that always caused his frustration with her. Every time they were near each other they bickered. It kept the desire at bay and seemed a much better course of action than carrying her to his bed and keeping her there until their attraction waned.
Keeping her away from Billingsworth would not be easy. She would be wary if he suddenly followed her around at a ball. And Billingsworth would be suspicious if Banning attempted to befriend him after all that was between them.
Banning would have to make certain she never had the opportunity to speak with Billingsworth alone. It sounded like a simple plan, but everyone in the ton knew he despised Billingsworth, and everyone in the ton knew Avis Copley despised Banning.
The Ice Maiden had a long memory.
“Excuse me, my lord,” Battenford said from the doorway. “Lord Kesgrave is here.”
“Show him in.” Perhaps Trey could help him.
“Banning, I have news you might not want to hear,” Trey said upon entering the room. He sank into the nearest chair, pulled out a handkerchief, and wiped the droplets of rain from his face.
Banning poured a brandy and handed it to Trey before picking up his own snifter and slipping into the leather chair across from him. “All right, go ahead.”
“I stopped by Tattersall’s this afternoon and discovered Arthur’s Pride has been purchased in a private sale. It’s a damn shame. He would have made a great addition to our stables.”
“Yes, he will make a wonderful addition to our stables. Mate him with Delilah when she is ready.”
Trey shook his head. “Damnation, Ban. Do you get your way in all matters?”
“I certainly try,” he said with a smile. “Besides, I couldn’t let you get outbid. We needed another stud.”
Banning sipped his drink, wondering how to bring up the subject of Avis Copley and how best to solve her problem.
“Are you attending the Watton affair tomorrow?” Trey asked. “I understand he is very interested in investing some money. He might wish to throw some money toward the horses.”
One dilemma solved. “Yes, I am attending. And I could use your help, but not with Watton.”
“Oh?”
“I need to stick close to Emory Billingsworth.”
Trey raised a brow in question. “I see.”
“I need to keep someone from speaking with him.”
“Anyone I might know?”
Banning glanced down at the amber liquid in his glass. “I don’t believe you do.”
Trey leaned his head back and laughed. “Right. In other words, you are trying to prevent someone, and by someone I can only assume a woman, from contacting him.”
“Perhaps.”
“I know how you loathe the man. Of course I can help you.”
“And no questions about whom I’m trying to protect, or why?”
“Absolutely not,” Trey replied with a slight grin. “So how am I to help you?”
Trey sipped his brandy, then swirled the remaining liquid around in his glass as if bored with their conversation. Banning knew him well enough to be certain Trey was anything but bored.
“I need to stay close to Billingsworth, and you know it would be too irregular for me to suddenly interject myself with his crowd.”
Trey’s always-present smile faded as he stared into the empty firebox. “So we must find a mutual friend in Billingsworth’s group that we can talk to.”
“Anyone come to mind?” Banning had only one thought, but he wasn’t certain Trey would agree.
“Unfortunately, it has to be Somerton.”
Banning blew