Page 27

A Week Later—After Supper

Corinna sent a third furtive glance toward the drawing room door. The women had gone through to the drawing room nearly an hour ago, but the men appeared to be lingering over their cigars and spirits this evening.

This past week had been, in a word, splendid.

Caspian had proven himself a charming, attentive beau. They dined together at every meal, partnered each other for cards and dances, and thrice had managed to escape the ever-increasing scrutiny and share a few stolen kisses.

More than one person had hinted at a match between them, and Lady Osborne, as Corinna had predicted, looked upon her and Caspian with self-satisfied pride.

Mercy, sitting beside Corinna as they listened to Mrs. Pennyflower and Lady Sewell discuss various complaints afflicting the older women, nudged Corinna’s arm.

Lady Sewell continued to be an annoying, cloying presence. Despite Corinna asking her to refrain from doing so, at every opportunity she imparted another disparaging morsel of gossip about Caspian.

“He’ll be along soon enough.” Mercy smiled and raised her teacup to her mouth. “Be warned, dear, your nemeses have noticed your distraction and are descending upon us even now.”

Rot and bother.

For nearly a blessed week after Caspian had affronted them, Doretta and Adelphia had kept their distance. Although they never approached when he was near, for the past pair of days they had dared to venture forth with their barbed comments and bared claws.

“Garland Claiborne says we’re to play The Aviary tonight,” Adelphia said, sidling close to Lady Sewell. The two shared a conspiratorial glance.

What were they up to?

No good, to be certain.

“A personal favorite of mine,” Doretta said.

Garland and Hetty Charleston wandered nearer. “I’d hoped we have dancing again.”

Lady Osborne must’ve overheard because she stood, as regal and commanding as any monarch. Peering through her lorgnette, she surveyed the assembled women. “I have a surprise for you tonight.”

That brought forth a few excited giggles and curious murmurs.

“When the gentlemen arrive, I shall reveal the secret.” She beamed and gave her cousin, Lady Sewell, a pointed look.

Lady Sewell’s expression turned even sourer, as pinched as if she’d sucked a half dozen lemons. All at once.

As if on cue, male voices resounded in the corridor, and the men filed in amid chuckles.

As Corinna had since that afternoon in the library, she immediately meshed gazes with Caspian.

A possessive gleam in his eye, he bent his mouth into that rakish, disarming smile that threatened to turn her bones to custard.

Not, mind you, that she was complaining.

A few days ago, Corinna had scoffed at ever finding a love—finding a man to whom she could risk giving her heart. She’d found that rogue, although Caspian wasn’t truly a rogue.

No, he was strong and sensitive, intelligent and insightful, humorous and loyal, and remarkably forward-thinking when it came to men's and women’s roles and expectations.

In short, he was perfect, and she’d fallen in love with him.

Hopelessly, helplessly, splendidly in love.

He and Ronan made straight for her and Mercy. Ronan lifted Mercy’s hand to kiss the back while Caspian bowed over Corinna’s. It wasn’t quite de rigueur to kiss an unmarried woman’s hand.

Lady Sewell’s face crimped even tighter yet as she looked on.

Corinna presented her a blinding smile, which earned a flinty scowl.