“I liked to think of myself as dashing, but mostly I was just young. It was a very long time ago,” he said quietly.

“For both of us,” she said, her voice taut. “I gather you’ve inherited your grandfather’s title. Is being a lord enough to keep you from being tarnished by dancing with a scandalous woman like me?”

“I may be even more scandalous than you.” He gave her a slow, wry smile. “Shall we tarnish each other ?”

She’d liked the young midshipman then, and she liked the haunted lord now. Her tension ebbed, but she had to ask, “Do you know the crimes I have been accused of?”

He shrugged. “I heard some gossipy whispers when you entered the room, but that is rumor, not knowledge.”

She was glad he appreciated the difference. “Do you know what it’s like to stand accused and not be able to defend yourself?”

“Actually, I do,” he said thoughtfully. “My circumstances were not identical, but there are similarities.”

What could have made Lucas Mandeville a pariah? Cheating at cards? Never. Cowardice under fire? She supposed that any man in battle might succumb to terror, especially if young, but it was hard to imagine that of him.

Reminding herself that she had barely known him all those years ago and didn’t know him at all now, she decided it was pointless to speculate. Better to relax and enjoy this dance in the arms of a compassionate stranger.

The music ended and her partner stepped away from her. “Have you had enough of this ball?”

She sighed. Her anger and defiance had burned out, leaving emptiness. “I have. I’ll find no justice here.”

“Justice can be elusive,” he said dryly. “If you’re ready to leave, I’ll escort you to your home.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Are you interested in learning just how scandalous I am?”

“Not at all.” He smiled a little. “My cousin once told me that I’m an incurable knight errant. You are probably too angry now to want friendship, but you look like you could use an ally or at least a fair-minded listener.”

She turned his words over in her mind. An ally would be welcome, though she wasn’t sure she could trust that much. But a fair-minded listener would be welcome because she had a desperate need to tell her story to someone who might believe her. “You’re right about that, though whether you can be such a person remains to be seen. I’m staying nearby and I don’t need an escort, but you may accompany me if you wish.”

“I’m trying to prove that I’m still a gentleman, so I do wish it,” he explained. “Night streets can be dangerous for a woman alone.”