Valentine blinked. He watched as Ashvale directed an inscrutable look to his sister who didn’t bat an eyelash. “Well, he can’t very well stay with me and Mama, and you live right across the street. Besides, you’re not even in residence. Ravenna told me at the start of the season that with her confinement, you’re spending more time in Kettering than in London.”

“Monsieur de Tremblay,” Ashvale said with a gracious nod. “Of course, whatever pleases my darling sister. I believe you know the Duke of Thornbury.”

The man grinned. “We are acquainted, Your Grace, considering the duke and I are both mutual admirers of your charming sister. If I were a less confident man, I might even be worried about the competition, but the lady has assured me that she thinks of the duke as a dear brother. What a relief!”

Bronwyn put a hasty hand on Tremblay’s arm and ushered him back the way he’d come.

Ashvale’s brows rose, a hint of amusement glittering in his black eyes when he turned to Valentine. “A brother? How droll.”

“You know very well that’s not the case,” he muttered. “The man is an imbecile. Surely you don’t trust her safety in his coach?”

The duke peered at the mounted policemen. “We are all headed to the same place, though I assume you will go to your residence. She will be safe enough.”

Valentine stared at him in astonishment. “Do you know the marquis? The man is a ferret with hands like tentacles.” He scowled at Ashvale’s amused expression. “And yes, I know those two things have nothing to do with each other, but trust me that you do not want him near your sister. You worry about her reputation being compromised with me, and yet you send her off to certain debauchery with a libertine for a companion.” He bit off the end of his outburst, knowing he was being unreasonable but unable to help himself all the same.

“Tremblay and I have known each other for years,” Ashvale said. “He knows what will happen if he thinks of putting one tentacle out of line. And besides, the Comtesse de Valois is with them.”

Somewhat pacified, Valentine watched Bronwyn’s aunt enter the carriage.

“She invited him on purpose,” he muttered.

“Who?”

“Your sister did to aggravate me.”

Ashvale grinned and patted him on the back. “I’m beginning to think that I might have to take pity on you and not flog you to within an inch of your life after all. It seems you’re being punished quite enough. Who knew my sweet, gentle, harmless sister had it in her?”

Valentine scowled. Given any choice in the matter, he’d take the beating. “If you think she’s harmless, you’re a bigger fool than I am.”

***