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“Yet, I can?” Gabriel asked.

“You will attend the London Season events, won’t you?”

Gabriel chuckled. “Ah, so you are informing me that it shan’t be any trouble whatsoever, and I will be merely accompanying your sister at events, and not babysitting her. Why, you make it sound as if it will be no imposition at all.”

Nathaniel walked over to the drink cart and placed his glass down, not refilling it. He raised his hands, palms facing out toward Gabriel.

“Cards on the table,” Nathaniel mustered. “I need someone I can trust, and there is not one more capable of the task of protecting my dearest sister than my best and longest-serving friend. Do I need to appeal more to your emotions?”

“Depending on who you speak to, my emotions are very limited,” Gabriel commented. “You have made your point, Ashworth. I shall do it for you, but only what you have stated. I shall attend events with Eleanor, and I will ensure she is not harassed by the boors. I will also ensure that anyone who dances with her and wants to pursue her is worthy of her attention.”

Nathaniel extended his hand, and Gabriel shook it.

“Then I have far less to worry about when I am overseas. That is all I ask of you—to protect her from scandals and rakes. And I have written up some guidelines for you.”

Gabriel’s eyebrows furrowed, but he still wore a smile at one corner of his mouth as his friend produced a folded sheet of paper from the inside pocket of his coat. Nathaniel handed over the document, and Gabriel half-expected to open it and find a binding contract to sign.

Instead, he found a list.

Instructions for Surviving Lady Eleanor Ashworth.

Make sure Eleanor enjoys her Season. Not survives. Enjoys.

Do not let Mother introduce her to Lord Carlisle’s cousin again.

Never leave Eleanor in the presence of overconfident gentlemen for a long period of time.

If Eleanor insists on climbing a tree... let her. Just stand underneath.

Never allow her to drink more than two glasses of champagne. She becomes… creative.

Do not argue with her when she has that look in her eyes. You’ll lose.

If she cries… bring lemon cakes. Not flowers. Not poetry. Lemon cakes. Trust me.

Above all… don’t let her convince you she’s as fearless as she pretends to be. Sometimes she simply needs someone beside her.

“I am sure this list will prove helpful, but I am already stuck on the first point,” Gabriel said. “The deal was to chaperone her at events, but you wish for me to ensure she enjoys her Season. Not survives. Enjoys.”

Nathaniel smiled. “I didn’t know we would have this exact conversation before I handed you the list. It’s more of a”—he waved a hand in the air—“guideline. It’s…You know what it means.”

“Do I?” Gabriel asked, raising an eyebrow.

He skipped past the second point on the list. He knew of Lord Carlisle, but he didn’t need to know why he was to keep Eleanor apart from him. The task was extremely simple, and more discussion on the matter might complicate it.

Number three didn’t worry Gabriel. Overconfident men were usually the ones without confidence. Bravado was often used to hide what was beneath. Gabriel had the right sort of confidence, and he had no problem rebuffing advances on Eleanor’s behalf.

“Does Eleanor often climb trees?” Gabriel asked.

Nathaniel shrugged. “It’s more of a figurative guideline. And, I suppose that she has climbed a tree once or twice in her adult life.”

“Hmm,” Gabriel grumbled.

The champagne went without saying. As for any look in the young woman’s eyes, he would say and do as he wished, no matter how she glared. He didn’t back down from overconfident men or boorish gents, and he wouldn’t back down from his best friend’s younger sister.

“Lemon cake?” Gabriel asked.

“Trust me,” Nathaniel replied, saying nothing more.