Chapter 20

There was only one way to prove it, to himself if no one else.

* * * *

Leander closed the library doors with a relieved sigh and then sank into one of the room’s large, deep chairs. Although only about three hours of the day were taken up by calls, they were more taxing than anything else Leander had to do. It seemed that since attending Lady Carysfort’s ball, there had been a steady stream of callers, all eager to flatter him, invite him to more balls, and gossip about everyone else in Society. After the first day, Leander learned to take the flattery and gossip with a grain of salt and that it was wiser not to give a definite answer to the invitations.

The only times the calls weren’t tedious for him was when the conversation turned to the subject of Lady Carysfort’s nephew. Amidst all the salacious innuendo and supercilious whispers, Leander was able to glean a few solid facts about the Earl of Blackstone.