“I don’t want to do it without you.” She frowned, heedless of the wrinkles that would no doubt result from such an extreme action. There were times when one just had to throw caution to the wind, and clearly this was such a time. “The point was for us to appear together, carefree and happy, not for me to appear without you by my side.”

“I’m sorry, you will have to survive without my presence. Batsfoam is waiting, and as you heard him mention in excruciating detail, his abbreviated limb is giving him grief today—do you wish to use the carriage or not?”

She bit back her anger at his cavalier manner in dismissing the importance of the ton’s opinion. He was an earl, after all—no matter what that vile man claimed—and everyone knew earls were above such things as worry over what people thought of him. Still, she was his wife, and it was her job to see to it that his reputation, as well as hers, was of the highest quality. She would have to take on the task of ensuring it was not tarnished any more than it had been. “What about the Pretender?”

Dare set his cup down. “The what?”

“The Pretender.” She waved her fork around in a vague manner. “That man who claims to be your cousin? What are you doing about him?”

“You were with me when I wrote to my solicitors. Until I hear from them that he is my uncle’s son, I will do nothing.”

“You can’t leave something so important up to solicitors,” she argued. “You have to do something!”

Dare dabbed at his lips with the linen and pushed his plate back, preparing to rise. “What exactly did you have in mind?”

“You must make him admit he’s lying, of course! I would have thought that was evident even to a man who spends all his time in a dank basement with a smelly machine!”

Dare strolled the length of the table, then bent to press a kiss to her forehead. “The solicitors will investigate his claim, Charlotte. Until we know the truth, we will leave it in their capable hands.”

“But—”

“We will leave it in their hands,” he repeated, tipping her chin up and pinning her back with a look that did not invite debate.

“I will not stand by and allow that man to take away what’s rightfully yours,” she said, a mutinous warning evident in her eye. He could think again if he honestly believed he could glare her into subservience.

“The solicitors will see to it he doesn’t,” Dare said softly, then heedless of Batsfoam, brushed his lips against hers in a gentle kiss. “Stay out of trouble today. Batsfoam, I leave it to you to find out from my lady whether she wishes to use the carriage. I will be downstairs if I’m needed—which I trust I won’t be.”

“As you will, my lor…sir. I shall inform the staff of your intentions. They will be delighted to their very toenails, as I am, to hear we are to be graced with your constant, unceasing presence for the next week.”