As if she’d had any doubt.

From the moment he’d reached for her, extending his hand in that age-old way, she’d known exactly who he was.

“Have you gone utterly mad?” she asked under her breath.

“Have you?” he replied in a sharp whisper. “Why did you leave the ball with him?”

“Because he was making a scene. It was easier to do as he asked than risk a scandal.” She paused, admitting, “I thought I could manage him.” Self-disgust coursed through her at her own naiveté. Fred wasn’t a boy anymore. He was a man, and one she could obviously no longer control. “Is that why you came after me? Dressed like this?”

“There was little I could accomplish dressed as myself. I have no claim on you.” St. Clare’s fingers brushed over her torn sleeve. “Did he do this?”

“Yes. He was trying to kiss me, and when I fought with him—” She broke off, catching St. Clare by a fold of his cloak as he made to stride off. “Don’t you dare do anything rash!”

“I’m going to murder him.”

Her fingers tightened on his cloak. “Don’t be stupid. You’ve already done enough.”

“I’ve barely gotten started yet,” he said.

There was something in his voice that made the fine hairs lift on the back of her neck. Good lord. Was he so consumed with hatred? With vengeance?

“Fred will get his comeuppance,” she said. “I promise you. But not here. Not now. You must go. It’s too dangerous for you to linger in this manner.”

St. Clare glowered in Fred’s direction. “He’s the one in danger. If he so much as—”

“He won’t touch me again. Not after this.”

“No, he won’t,” St. Clare agreed. “Not once I break both his arms.”

“Oh, for pity’s sake. If you think this is what I want—two men pummeling each other over me—then you’re very much mistaken. I’m not some damsel in distress for you to rescue.”

He arched a brow at her torn dress.

She grimaced. “Yes, well… I confess, it is fortunate that you came along when you did. I’m not as formidable as I thought I was, not when Fred’s blood is up. But I know better now. You can be sure I’ll keep Jane’s aunt awake during the remainder of the journey home.”

“Is that meant to set my mind at ease?” he asked.

“It’s the best I can offer at the moment.”

It plainly wasn’t good enough. St. Clare’s lethal gaze once again drifted in Fred’s direction. Maggie had no doubt he’d have broken every bone in Fred’s body if given the chance.