Feeling heat rising in her face, she matched his directness. “I believe that I’m equally attracted to you.”

His face relaxed into a warm, sweet smile. “I rather hoped you might be. But there are far too many good reasons not to act on that attraction.”

The air between them felt charged and full of promise. She edged away as far as the seat would let her. “Part of me says that I might as well throw off social constraints because I’m already thoroughly disgraced. A wiser part is saying that if I can find some way to challenge Denshire in court, I need to be above reproach. Yet even though I know that, I wanted your company on this journey.”

He smiled ruefully. “I was equally aware that traveling together was not wise, yet here we are.”

“Didn’t we decide that we are cousins? You are respectfully escorting your widowed cousin on a sad journey.”

“I will remind myself of that often,” he said gravely. “And will find other topics of conversation. For example, how was your luncheon with the powerful women who might be supportive of your position?”

“The six women Suzanne invited were impressive. A duchess, a marchioness, daughters of dukes, and more. Several are patronesses of Zion House, which is affiliated with your infirmary.” Kendra smiled dryly. “Anyone who had met Denshire was quite willing to believe that he’d behaved abominably.”

“I believe that and I’ve never even met the man,” Lucas observed.

“They all pledged to help in any way they can. It was . . . very moving.” Kendra swallowed hard. “They have influence with their husbands, and they have social power of their own. Apparently Denshire craves acceptance in the highest social circles, and it seems likely that will be denied him.”

“Good! Social censure might persuade him to let you see Christopher, which is your first and most important goal.”

Kendra prayed that would be so. Wanting to lighten the conversation, she said, “As a very nice bonus, three of the women are among the Angelo’s Wednesday morning Fencing Females group. I’ve been invited to join them whenever I wish. Thanks to Suzanne, I made friends yesterday, Lucas. It’s a good feeling.”

“That could prove useful if I have to introduce a parliamentary bill charging Denshire with crimes,” Lucas said. “The more people who believe you, the better. Especially those women whose husbands sit in the House of Lords.”

Her mouth twisted. “For now, my scandalous reputation seems a distant problem. This private pilgrimage has all my attention.”

“I saw how devastated you were when you remembered your lost child,” he said quietly. “You seem more composed today.”