Chapter 1

Still wearing a paint-spattered smock, Miss Athena Caldwell knocked on the door to her father's study.

"You wanted to speak to me, Papa?" Passing a mirror, she paused to smooth back the fair hair she had bundled into a hasty chignon. There was a smudge of cyan on her cheek, but she let it go.

"Come in, child," Sir Edward said kindly. Athena complied, but she was instantly on the alert. Sir Edward was not a cruel father, but he tended to neglect his brood unless he wanted something.

Athena, who was the eldest of the lot, had the responsibility of most of her siblings, and thought she knew what this audience concerned. She sat down calmly in a leather chair and gazed at her parent with bright blue eyes.

"I will not take Eve to London for her first Season, Papa. It's your turn and you know it."

"Now, Athena, I have work here. I'm between stewards and I have to oversee everything."

"Including the widow renting Fairview Cottage?" she archly asked.

"Now see here, daughter - that is none of your business!"

"Neither is puffing Eve off in Town. You are her parent. You take her."

Athena had been presented by her mother. Beatrice, the next daughter, had been taken to London by the baronet and Athena as soon as they were out of mourning following Lady Caldwell's death. Charlotte and Daphne, the next two in line, had been escorted to London by Athena and her Aunt Florence. Athena was tired. She was not overly fond of the capital city and wondered if Beatrice, who was a marchioness, might not be prevailed upon.

"Surely Beatrice..."

"Beatrice says she will not be coming to Town this year."

That figured. With a husband and two small children, Beatrice would not want the job of dealing with a younger sister, and this would be the easiest way to get out of what was her duty as well as Athena's.

"Perhaps Charlotte..."

Sir Edward laughed. "You know as well as I that Charlotte does not have the connections you do, my dear. For that matter, neither do I," he admitted.

"Aunt Florence..." His sister lived in London and it was at her house they always stayed.

"Too flighty. Really, Athena, you are Eve's best chance of finding a husband. Granted, Charlotte did not take, but neither of us expected her to. She's quite a bluestocking, isn't she? But Daphne. Ah, you did a grand job with her, daughter. Engaged to an earl!"

"An earl who has not visited nor sent a letter since Christmas! I fear if something is not done soon, she shall be engaged forever."

"Wexford will be in Town for Parliament, I'm certain. Maybe Daphne can..."

"No!" Athena protested. "If you want me to present Eve, it will be Eve, Aunt Florence and I, and no one else. If Wexford is desperate to see his fiancee, we are only a few hours from Town!" She thought perhaps the dowager countess might be keeping the earl from his beloved, but it wasn't her problem. She had just basically admitted she would take Eve to London.

"I knew we could work this out amiably," the baronet was saying, returning to his desk. "Have a good time!"

"But..."

"Excuse me, daughter, but I have work to do. As do you, I might add..."

Athena sighed. She was having trouble with the cook. Her only consolation at this point was that she could forget to scold the woman for horrid meals, ensuring that food would be unpalatable for her father while she ate well in London.

For an hour every afternoon, Athena gathered her sisters - the ones still at home, which was all but Beatrice - and insisted they spend time together. Her mother had done it before her, and it was one tradition she insisted they keep. When she entered the family parlor, however, only Charlotte sat there, calmly eating muffins and drinking tea. Athena smiled thinly at her redheaded sister.

"Did you tell him?"

"I told him, for all the good it did me." Athena sat down on the settle with a sigh. Charlotte gave her a sympathizing smile and poured a cup of tea. "That means you will be in charge of the house."

"That will not be a problem. It runs well and will take little of my time. I might even get the cook to earn her keep."

"No!" Athena protested. "Let's make Papa pay for sending me to London."

"He won't be home much! You know he has taken a liking to..." Charlotte would have said more, but Eve stomped into the room, her arms folded, blue eyes flashing, light brown hair flying out of its pins.

"I won't go to London, Athena, so don't think you are taking me!" She flopped down into a chair and refused a cup of tea.

"Have you spoken to Papa about this?" her sister murmured.

"No, he won't see me. Says he is too busy."

Athena and Charlotte exchanged knowing looks just as Daphne, a blonde like her two eldest sisters, came into the room in tears.

"Milly says Eve is to go to London, but I cannot!" she cried. She arranged herself artfully on a chaise and put a tiny scrap of a handkerchief to her eyes. Athena was disgusted to see that while Daphne had been crying, she still looked beautiful.

"Your maid talks too much," she complained. "But yes, she is correct. Eve will be going to London..." She glared at the pouting girl. "And you will be staying here."

"But, Wexford!"

"If Wexford misses you so much, he is welcome to visit at any time."

"Yes, why have we not heard from the much-vaunted Wexford lately?" Francesca asked, strolling into the room in her riding habit, which she wore most of each day, hands in her pockets.

"Athena!" Daphne wailed. "Let me go with you! I won't be any trouble and I can help introduce Eve about."

"I need you here to help Charlotte with the house. You know she will put her nose in a book and forget to approve menus or tell the gardener to plant roses in the snow!" Charlotte, instead of being offended, only nodded her head in agreement and sighed.

"But I should dearly love to go to London myself. There is a series of lectures…"

"Athena! Athena!" Gabrielle, the youngest child but one, ran into the room in tears. Unlike Daphne, however, her eyes were red and her face was puffy. She threw herself on her sister and sobbed uncontrollably. It took a few moments for Athena to calm her down, stroking the fourteen-year-old girl's bright hair and uttering soothing words.

"What is the matter, dearest?"

"Papa! I just saw him in the garden with Mrs. Browne… They were kissing!"

"Ugh!" Fran said, making a face. "I'm glad I did not see that. But I've had a capital idea, Athena! Let Eve stay home and take me in her place! I would dearly love to go riding in the park, and go to Tattersall's…"

"Ladies do not go to Tattersall's," Daphne said with a sniff. "And you are too young. If Eve will not go, take me. I would dearly love to see Wexford…"

"Eve is going, the rest of you are staying home, and that is final." Athena was so adamant, her sisters were quiet for a long while, concentrating instead on the tea and muffins that would tide them over until dinner.

"Harry would not like Papa kissing Mrs. Browne…" Gabby finally said. Harry was the youngest child and only boy, away at school. That reminded Athena that a letter from her brother had arrived in the post that morning, and she had stuffed it in a pocket, forgetting its existence as she stole away for a few hours of painting.

"I have a letter from Harry," she announced, pulling it out and breaking the sealing wax holding the page closed.

"Begging to come home?" Charlotte asked. Wishing she could have gone away to school, she could not fathom how her brother constantly asked to return to the bosom of his family and have a tutor instead.

"As usual," Athena said with a sigh. "But it appears he needs the schooling. His handwriting is atrocious." She showed the letter to Charlotte and Gabby, who sat the closest to her, with an indulgent smile. At twelve and the only boy, her brother was quite spoiled by his sisters.

"Do I truly have to go to London in a few weeks?" shy Eve asked plaintively.

"Papa has spoken."

Lord Miles Fletcher, His Grace, the Duke of Swindon, hated London. He attended every year just the same, knowing it was his duty to sit Parliament, but he tended to limit his social activities to strictly male pursuits. A noted Corinthian, he fenced and boxed for pleasure and exercise, was a member of the most exclusive clubs and had a gorgeous high-flyer for a mistress. He was constantly surrounded by people, every one of them with his or her hand out, but he knew who his real friends were. One of those was Lord Phillip Armstrong, the Marquess of Hayle, and his beautiful lady, Beatrice.

"Bored already, Miles?" Hayle said with a smile one morning as his friend was announced. Beatrice held out her hand.

"So good to see you again, Miles."

"I thought you were not coming to Town, Beatrice." He had not been expecting to see the marchioness, who had declared her second child too young for the trip up from Cornwall. Beatrice shrugged.

"I changed my mind." She shot her husband a glance. Athena's letter said Eve's debut was well in hand, and she was all set to stay home when her husband announced she was going to London to help launch her sister.

"But Athena will take care of it," she had wailed, to no avail. "I helped with Daphne!"

"Daphne is beautiful and outgoing and was the toast of the ton the moment she made an appearance," the marquess had retorted. "Eve is shy and needs your assistance. Besides, Athena has too much to do without having to puff off your sister by herself." He was under no allusions as to Aunt Florence's aid in the matter. The woman was too flighty above half.

In the end, her husband prevailing, Beatrice had loaded her two children, a two-year-old son and six-month-old daughter, with accompanying servants, into a carriage and headed north. She would wait until Athena was settled in town, however, before making her presence known. If she went now, with her sister being in town only a couple of days, it would not take much for Athena to leave Eve in her hands and return to Sussex. She had not counted on her husband.

"We are going to call on our family, Miles. Mrs. Evans, Miss Caldwell and Miss Eve Caldwell. Won't you join us?"

"We're going today?" Beatrice squeaked. "So soon? The children could not possibly…"

"No children today. I am sure Athena and Eve will call here this week to visit their nephew and new niece. You have not met our sisters, Miles." Lord Hayle said all this with such nonchalance, the duke was intrigued in spite of himself. He was not in the habit of making himself accessible to young ladies of a certain social status, but he had heard much of Miss Caldwell over the past few years and admitted to himself a curiosity at meeting this paragon.

"I have not. They are in town? I should like to make their acquaintance."

Beatrice stared at him in surprise and excused herself, saying she had to tell Nanny where she was going and to collect her outerwear.

"We might as well have a drink before we leave, then," Hayle said with a sigh. "It will take Beatrice an hour to decide on which bonnet to wear."

Chapter 2

Athena was in one of her aunt's garrets, painting while the morning light was strongest, when a maid came upstairs to deliver a message. Lord and Lady Hayle had called and had brought the Duke of  Swindon with them.

Athena frowned. Beatrice was in town? That rotten sister of hers was going to hear about this! She paused. Bea had brought the children, perhaps? And she did not know his grace the duke, but presenting Eve to him today would be the perfect chance to show off her sister's quiet charm.

Much distracted by her thoughts, she didn't even wait to send word with the maid, but went down to the drawing room immediately, not taking the time to check her appearance in a mirror. She was surprised, then, when Beatrice gave her an odd look as she stepped into the room.

Her sister saw the paint smudges, the smock Athena still wore over one of her oldest gowns and blonde tendrils sticking out every which way. Hayle saw a pretty sister who seemed disappointed not to see her niece and nephew. The duke saw a beautiful woman with bright blue eyes and not the least bit of interest in him other than as Hayle's friend as she made her curtsy.

"I had thought you were not coming to town," Athena said under her breath as Beatrice came forward to give her a sketchy hug. It would not do to have paint on her new pelisse.

"Hayle insisted," Beatrice sheepishly replied.

"I would have sent Eve to you directly," Athena chided the marquess as he gave his favorite sister-in-law an enthusiastic hug.

"I made Bea come to give you a hand."

"Thank you," she said sarcastically. "Eve needs all the help she can…" She noticed Eve was not in the room. "Where is Eve?" she asked her aunt.

Mrs. Hall shrugged. "She won't come down."

"What?" That could not be allowed else Eve would think she could keep to her room the entire season. "Excuse me," she said and quickly left the room. When she arrived at Eve's door, she knocked, but there was no answer. A twist on the knob revealed the door to be locked.

"Eve! Come out this instant! We have company. Bea and Hayle are here…" she said. There was no answer.

"Evangeline Caldwell! Come out now!" she shouted, forgetting that the guests were directly below her in the drawing room.

"No!" Eve yelled back. "I am not going to parade myself like a side of beef just so some duke can get a look at me! You do it - you are just as unmarried as I am, maybe even more so!"

Athena sighed and went downstairs, defeated, but only for the moment. The unmarried comment rankled, but only because there were days she felt she was spending all her time raising her siblings and not taking time to care for her own future.

"See?" Aunt Florence said, fluttering her hands in dismissal. Beatrice was pink with embarrassment over her sisters' shouting match, but the gentlemen were both trying to hide their smiles.

Athena, oblivious to her smock and hair, took a cup of tea from her aunt and sat down next to her sister.  "Forgive me, your grace," she said to the duke, seated on the other side of Beatrice. "I must hear about my new niece."

"Why don't you call tomorrow morning?" the proud mother suggested. "Young Robert would love to see his favorite aunts, as well."

"I shall enjoy that." With that, the two sisters buried the hatchet. "And you, sir," she said, addressing the duke. "Do you…"

Whatever she was about to say went out the window as young Gabrielle burst into the room in tears. Her bonnet was falling down her back and she was wearing an old gray dress and spencer.

"Athena! It was horrid! Just horrid!" the girl exclaimed.

"What was, sweetheart?" Athena smoothed her sister's hair off her face and produced a handkerchief to wipe some of the tear-streaked dust off her cheeks.

"Papa and Mrs. Browne!"

Oh, dear. This sounded like something best discussed in private. She sat Gabby down on the sofa, introduced her to the duke rather absently and then stared at the girl in amazement.

"Gabrielle - how on earth did you get to London?"

Gabby took a sip of the tea her aunt handed her. "I rode in the back of a farmer's cart." She wrinkled her pert little nose. "Cabbages stink! Where's Eve?" she wondered, looking about her with interest.

"Never mind that now. When did you leave to just get here now?"

"Very early this morning. I left a note…" she said plaintively.

"A note?" Athena asked. "For whom?"

"Why, Fran, of course!"

"Oh, dear…"

Sure enough, the butler entered the drawing room and announced Miss Francesca Caldwell, and Fran swept into the room with the regality of a queen despite her dusty riding habit and sweaty face. Athena and Beatrice moaned.

"Tell me you did not ride horseback all the way into and through town?" her eldest sister asked. Fran stared at her as if she had sprouted two heads.

"All right, I won't tell. But I did! Hullo," she said, spying the duke. "I'm Francesca. If you are the owner of that bang-up rig outside, I must say, sir, the pair hitched to it look like a couple of sweet-goers!"

The corners of the duke's mouth twitched slightly, even as he allowed that those were his cattle. Francesca plopped herself down next to him and asked him a few more questions about his horses before she realized they were in company.

"Oh, hullo Hayle, Bea, Aunt Florence," Fran added, finally noticing her relatives. "I say, isn't Gabby incredibly brave, coming to town on her own just because she caught Papa and the widow in the…"

"That will be enough, Francesca," Athena said. "At least Charlotte and Daphne are home." She looked up as the butler returned to the room.

"Miss Charlotte Caldwell."

"There you two are! I found Gabby's note and I was frantic, and then I heard your horse was gone from the stables, Francesca, and I…" Charlotte looked up from her tirade and saw everyone staring at her.

"Would you mind telling us," Athena said wearily, "how you came to town?"

Charlotte nodded. "I took the gig."

"Oh, Charlotte, please tell me you did not! An open carriage? By yourself? All the way to London?"

"It's just the next county, for goodness sake! I was beside myself with worry. Papa was not about, and so I left Daphne in charge…" Athena groaned.

"It only needs Daphne, does it not?"

"Oh, Daphne would surely not come after me," Charlotte said confidently. "She knows her place. Besides, how would she get here?"

"Miss Daphne Caldwell," Pritchard, the butler, announced.

"If you are coming to London, Char, so am I!" she said, pausing for dramatic effect in the doorway.

During this entire time, the duke, Beatrice, Hayle and Aunt Florence sat mostly silent, watching Athena as she attempted to deal with her wayward family.

"I suppose you walked?" she said to Daphne sarcastically.

"Don't be ridiculous!" the beauty scoffed. "I took the mail coach." She shuddered at the thought. "Do you know what type of people ride the mail coach? I even had some woman try to take me off somewhere when we reached the White Hart, but I remembered what you taught me, Athena," she said proudly. "I kicked her."

Athena shook her head.

"Oh! I didn't know we had company," Daphne said and held her hand out to the duke. "Miss Daphne Caldwell. Have you met everyone else?"

"Everyone but…"

"Charlotte Caldwell," Charlotte said quickly, elbowing Daphne out of the way. "And you are?"

"The Duke of Swindon."

"Pleased to meet you," Charlotte said matter-of-factly. "Bea," she added, acknowledging her sister. "Hayle. Did you bring the children?"

"They are at the townhouse," her brother-in-law replied conversationally. "Why don't you all come visit them tomorrow?"

"Wait, wait, wait!" Athena cried. "They can't! They are all going home this very afternoon! And not on horseback," she told Francesca firmly. All this circus needed was Harry.

Speak of the devil and his imp appears, she thought with exasperation as her twelve-year-old brother strolled into the room.

"I told you to wait downstairs!" Daphne insisted. "I haven't had a chance to talk to Athena yet."

"What is one more?" Athena asked, throwing her hands up in defeat.

"This is the Duke of Swindon," Francesca said to her brother. "Those sweet-goers downstairs belong to him."

"Famous!" Harry said. "I'm Harry." He put a hand out for the duke. "Athena! Did you know an abbess tried to procure Daphne at the coaching inn? It was absolutely famous!"

"I'm afraid my family does not sit much on ceremony," Beatrice murmured to the duke.

"It's quite all right, my dear Lady Hayle. They are very charming and completely without artifice. Is this all of them?"

"All except Eve, and our Papa, of course."

"And do we expect him next?"

"One hopes not."

"Do you think Miss Caldwell will deal sharply with them?"

Beatrice smiled. "Oh, not at all. Athena is quite soft when it comes to the sticking point."

"Ahhh…" The duke picked up his quizzing glass and inspected Miss Caldwell. She was very quietly tending to her youngest siblings, oblivious to her appearance, while her other sisters chatted amongst themselves, sharing their adventures with Hayle and Mrs. Hall.

Athena and Gabrielle stood and left the room, and while their elder sister was gone, the younger ones continued their quiet conversations. When the drawing room door opened once again, everyone looked up, expecting either Athena or the elusive Eve. Instead, Sir Edward and an older woman came in together.

"Papa!" Francesca squeaked. "What are you doing here?"

"Come to find out why all my children deserted me, perhaps?" he suggested. Athena returned on their heels and held out her hands to Mrs. Browne. Gabby might be jealous of the attention this lady received, but Athena thought she could be a good addition to the family, if they would but accept her.

More introductions were made, and then Hayle stood and suggested it was time for them to leave. The invitation to visit with the children the next day was repeated and accepted, and the duke made a point of thanking Mrs. Hall and her eldest niece for their hospitality.

"It was our pleasure," Aunt Florence said with a titter.

Athena linked her arm with Beatrice as they followed the gentlemen down the hall to the stairs.

"Will you let the children stay?"

"I'm not sure. It depends now on Papa and his plans," Athena admitted. "I cannot imagine him letting them stay, unless he has this grand idea of leaving them here in my care. As if I need the chaos. Today's fiasco has been quite enough to last me a good long while. With all that has gone on, what else could go wrong?"

The what else was Harry's portmanteau, left on one of the bottom stairs by the careless schoolboy and ignored by a distracted staff. The duke, unaware of its existence, stepped on the bag, lost his balance and pitched forward into the foyer.

Beatrice sat down on the steps in surprise, Hayle could only stare with his mouth open and Athena rushed down to the duke's side.

"Pritchard!" she called. "We are going to need a doctor!"

Chapter 3

"Oh, dear," Athena moaned. "Are you badly hurt?" she asked the duke, who was lying on his back in Mrs. Hall’s foyer after tripping over a portmanteau left on the stairs.

He looked at Miss Caldwell, her hair falling down around her ears, a paint-smudged smock covering her gown and a dab of blue on her face, and fell in love.

Perhaps it was her cool hands on his, her frowning over what surely had to be an increased pulse. Maybe it was all the stories Hayle had told about her and how she managed her family so well. It could have been the way she ordered that same family as they stood on steps and stairs and watched her handle the situation in a calm, competent manner.

"Fran, get a couple of pillows for his grace’s head. Bea, have a room readied in case he needs to stay. Where does it hurt most?" she suddenly asked him.

The duke just stared up at her for a moment.

"My ankle," he said, his voice sounding a little unnatural to him. "I think I twisted my ankle." He struggled to sit up, uncomfortably sprawled on the floor, especially with the audience above him. Miss Caldwell turned around and glared at them.

"Charlotte, take everyone upstairs, please. Aunt Florence, will you ask Cook for some of her buns? Hayle, you and Papa stay here. We might need you. Did Pritchard go for the doctor himself?"

Miss Francesca tossed down the pillows, gave him a wink and linked arms with a young lady he had not yet met. The elusive Eve seemed to have let curiosity get the better of her.

He let Miss Caldwell fuss over him until the doctor arrived, and when it was decided to move him, he was pleased to notice she led the way. Once he had been settled on the bed in what she called the Red Room, he watched the lady usher out her father and Hayle and close the door behind her, leaving him alone with the physician, who introduced himself as Dr. Price.

"She’s quite an efficient lady," the duke said.

"Hmmm…" The doctor removed the duke’s Hessian and felt around the injured area. "I noticed you were more intent on Miss Caldwell than on any pain inflicted by your carriers."

The duke’s grin was sheepish, as if he had been caught with his hand in a jar of candy.

"Is my ankle serious enough to warrant staying here for a couple of days?" he eagerly asked.

"Not really," the doctor admitted. "It’s not even sprained."

The duke’s face fell.

"On the other hand. There is no reason you can’t stay here for a few days and sleep off some of your dissipation," the doctor said dryly.

"Is it that obvious?"

"Only to the trained eye. However, I doubt you will get much rest in this household."

"There do seem to be rather a lot of them," the duke agreed.

"I’ve been Mrs. Hall’s physician for a number of years and without breaking her confidence, I think I can safely say you are just what the doctor ordered. You really should stay off that ankle overnight, at least. I’ll couch your injuries in terms guaranteed to ensure your continued stay without overly alarming the ladies."

"Thank you."

"I’ll send your angel of mercy back into you now, shall I? She will want to know what you require for your comfort, no doubt. If I were you, though, I’d send for your manservant to help her out and not tell any of the other females in your life where you are." Without waiting for a reply, the doctor picked up his bag and left the room.

The duke heard murmurings outside and then Miss Caldwell, still wearing her smock and looking gloriously disheveled, returned to his side. She left the door open, as was proper, but there were, thankfully, no lurkers in the hall.

"I’m sorry about the accident and your injury, sir," she said in her soft voice. The voice he already knew could dish out orders better than a general. "Harry will be along shortly to apologize. Is there anything you need for your stay?"

"My valet?" he suggested. "He can take on some of the burden of caring for me."

"Of course," she said with a smile. "He will be most welcome and can help keep my family from bothering you further."

"That won’t be necessary, Miss Caldwell. Your siblings are invited to call on me – within reasonable hours, of course. Does young Master Harry play chess, by any chance?"

She nodded. "Although he is only a beginner."

"Ask him to bring a board and chess pieces when he tenders his apology, if you please."

The next morning, Miles’ valet opened the bedroom door to admit the older red-headed Caldwell sister, who carried in breakfast on a tray and reintroduced herself as Charlotte.

"Because I can’t expect you to remember all the names, especially after yesterday, now can I?"

The duke laughed and invited Miss Charlotte to have a seat while he ate.

"Oh, I really shouldn’t. Athena says you need your rest."

"I rested all night. Now I’m ready for company. How did you manage to pull breakfast duty?"

Charlotte dimpled. "Athena always paints in the morning, so I help out, even at home. When I remember."

"Am I so unforgettable, then?" he teased, breaking open an egg and scooping out the soft contents.

"Well, yes," Charlotte admitted. "For the moment, at least."

"I’m honored." He was known for his aloofness among the ton, and his caustic wit. Perhaps it was because people had a tendency to toady to him and he was often required to put them in their place. He found the Caldwells intriguing because they seemed more natural and open – less impressed with his title and more concerned with him as a human being.

"You should be!" Charlotte said with a laugh. "I’m known in the family for being unable to recall anything not contained within the pages of a book."

"Oh? What do you like to read? Fiction, I suppose." He took a bite of toast.

"Not at all. Right now I am interested in educational reform, especially for females. In fact, there are a series of lectures being given this week here in London…"

"Hence your concern for your sisters when they ran off?" he teased once more.

"Not completely. We really do care for one another, you know."

"I can tell," he softly replied.

"No siblings? I thought not," she said when he shook his head. "It rather shows. Yesterday you looked like a pole-axed cow when faced with all my sisters." She glanced at a small clock on the mantel and then at the open door. "I have to run now. If Athena finds out I have stayed this long… I have enjoyed our conversation, though. May I visit again?"

"I would be pleased if you would. Thank you for bringing breakfast. I’ll have Dormer," he indicated the valet who entered the room, "take the tray downstairs when I am through. Dormer," he said after Miss Charlotte had curtsied and left, "I have an idea, but I’m going to need Woodley’s help."

"Your secretary, your grace?"

"I’m sure he has papers and such for me to deal with. Why don’t you have him pay me a call about, oh, three o’clock this afternoon. And ask Miss Charlotte around that time if she will also come visit." He shared a knowing look with his manservant.

Lord Adrian Woodley, the third son of the Marquess of Basingstoke, had been his grace’s personal secretary for three years, ever since the duke had come home from war. He was a tolerably handsome man of six and twenty years with dark brown hair and light blue eyes. He enjoyed luxury and a healthy bank account thanks to his grace’s generosity, and when the order for him to present himself at Mrs. Hall’s house at 3 o’clock came, he did not hesitate to have a pile of business ready for the duke.

Pritchard admitted him to the house and showed him upstairs to his grace’s temporary quarters, and when he put down the paperwork to bow to his employer, he noticed a redheaded young lady sitting by the side of the bed.

"Ah, Woodley!" The duke greeted his secretary with a smile, much to that man’s surprise. His grace had been rather neutral of expression of late and Woodley wondered how much of the duke's new animation was due to the young lady at his side.

"You are just in time to listen to Miss Charlotte's opinions on the education of females," the duke said. "Come in and meet Miss Charlotte Caldwell. Miss Charlotte, my secretary, Lord Adrian Woodley."

Charlotte rose and curtsied, one of her red curls falling over her shoulder in the process.

"Lord Adrian. You are here on business, I suppose, so I will take your tea tray, sir," she said to the duke, "and leave you gentlemen alone. I'm off to a family meeting to see if we all might stay in London for a few weeks."

"I hope you may remain for awhile," the duke said, to the astonishment of his employee. "I wouldn't want you to miss the lecture on education tomorrow."

"You are attending the Royal Society lecture?" Lord Adrian asked. Charlotte nodded.

"Social reforms are an interest of mine."

"Perhaps..." He glanced at the duke, surprised to see the man beaming at both of them, as if had orchestrated the entire meeting. "That is... if we had proper chaperonage and you had permission..."

"Yes?

"Would you allow me to escort you to the lecture?"

Charlotte's smile was radiant. "I should like that very much. Perhaps you have a moment now to meet my sister Athena? She would have to give permission..."

The duke cleared his throat. "Not your father?"

Charlotte laughed. "He would just tell me to ask Athena."

"I would be pleased to meet your sister..." Lord Adrian looked at the duke and then back at Miss Charlotte Caldwell.

"I'll be right here when you return," the duke said with a laugh.

Athena had asked Eve to take Harry out to the park in the center of the square, and because she had no ready reason why she could not, Eve had to comply. She had managed a small rebellion in the face of Athena’s bossiness the day before, but now, in front of her entire family, she dared not push her sister further.

"I wish we were home," she grumbled as Harry chattered happily at her side. Eve ignored him. She was tired of hearing about the duke.

"Do you think they will get married?" Harry suddenly asked. Eve frowned. Hadn’t her brother been nattering on about the duke?

"Who? Papa and Mrs. Browne?"

"No, silly! Athena and the duke!"

"Why would they?"

"Char says it’s love at first sight," her brother said impatiently.

"There is no such thing!" Eve scoffed. "Now, go away and leave me alone," she said, sitting on a bench and making shooing gestures with her hands.

Harry stuck his tongue out and ran off. Eve crossed her arms and sat stewing over being stuck in London with her entire family.

Harry wandered over to the fountain in the center of the park, bent down and dipped his hand in the water.

"Is it cold?" a young voice asked.

Harry looked up to see a boy at his side, seated in a Bath chair.

"Not really. Our stream at home is much colder, but then it’s covered by trees and it’s much deeper," he replied. "That makes it easier to fish in, though.

"I wish I could fish!"

"Why can’t you?" Harry wondered. "Don’t those wheels go on grass?"

"They do, but my father doesn’t like me to wander too far away from the house. I’m too busy having lessons with my tutor anyway. Papa says if my legs won’t work for me, I have to develop my mind."

"You have a tutor?" Harry exclaimed.

"Mr. Johnson. He’s right over there." The boy, who could not be more than seven or eight, indicated a young man reading a newspaper on a nearby bench.

"I wish I had a tutor," Harry said longingly.

""I wish I could go away to school," said the boy.

"Harry Caldwell, by the way," Harry said, sticking out his hand.

"Peter Marlowe." They shook hands. "You go to school? Eton? What are you doing here?"

"I don’t like it there. I want to be home so I can go fishing and ride my horse and the worst thing in my life is having to live with a houseful of sisters."

"You have sisters? I don’t have any brothers or sisters," Peter said sadly. "Not anymore."

"You had some?" Harry immediately began to think how he could give a couple of his away.

"I had a little sister, but she and my mother got sick and died."

"My mother is dead, too. My sister Athena takes good care of me, though. What happened to your legs?"

Peter frowned. "I was born this way."

Harry patted his arm sympathetically. "I’m sorry."

"Don’t be. It’s been eleven years and I’m used to it."

"You’re eleven? I’m twelve." They talked for a few more minutes and then Peter brightened visibly.

"I have an idea. Because you are not in school, why don’t I have my Papa ask your sister if you can have lessons with me? Mr. Johnson won’t mind – he says I’m almost too smart for him and that it would be good for me to have some competition."

"I don’t know if I will be competition…" Harry admitted. "But it would be fun to take lessons with you and your tutor."

"Good! Come meet Mr. Johnson now, then. He’s a good sort, really." Peter wheeled his chair toward the tutor, but stopped in his tracks when Eve came into view, calling her brother’s name.

"One of your sisters? She looks like an angel!"

Harry snorted. "She’s just a pesty older sister. None of them are angels, except maybe Athena, and even she makes me go to school. I think it’s because Papa went there. Personally, I don’t think Papa even notices if I’m there or not."

"Mine doesn’t either," Peter said gloomily.

"Eve!" Harry called. "This is my new friend, Peter Marlowe. He’s…" Harry became quiet when another man approached the tutor. In fact, they all stared.

"That’s my father, Sir Thomas Marlowe," Peter whispered. Harry looked at the man with interest. He was tall, with sandy brown hair and dark eyes, and weather-roughened skin, as if he spent a lot of time outdoors.

"And this is your new friend?" Eve asked, indicating Peter. "Son of Sir Thomas?"

"Something like that," Harry said, finding his voice. "I’m going to ask Athena if I can take lessons with Peter and his tutor." He thought Eve, who was staring at the two gentlemen, looked strange.

"Indeed. Well, time to go home!" she said brightly. "Lovely to meet you, Peter, but we have to be going. We’ll be in touch!" she added, dragging Harry down the path, despite his protests. "We’ll be in staying in London all season!"

Chapter 4

"Athena?" Daphne poked her head into the garret where her sister painted. "Can I speak with you?"

"Of course." Athena wiped her hands on a rag and covered her current work. It wasn't something she wanted anyone to see just yet.

Daphne barely glanced at the canvas. She, like all her siblings, thought her sister a mere dabbler, and was usually wrapped up in her own problems to pay it much attention. "Wexford doesn't love me anymore!" she wailed.

"How do you know?" Granted, Wexford had been playing least in sight, but there must be a logical explanation. She said so to her sister.

"I sent a note to him yesterday afternoon and have not heard anything yet."

"I am certain he is busy. Parliament is in session, darling."

"So? A little reply to one's fiancée would not be remiss." Daphne paused, her eyes becoming as big as saucers. "Thisis not the first note I have written. What if he was with his mistress?"

"Wexford has a mistress?"

"I don't know!" Daphne wailed. "I was just guessing! Possibly! Why else would he ignore me? I have to find out!"

Athena sighed. This was beyond her comprehension or her authority. "I have no idea how to go about that, dearest, or if we should. It's none of my business."

"What do you mean it is none of your business?" her sister asked incredulously. "It concerns me, doesn't it?" When Athena had no reply, Daphne began to cry. "Why do I even bother?" She ran out of the room in tears.

"Why do I even bother?" Athena asked no one in particular.

The duke was sitting up in bed, his door open to view family members as they went about their daily routines. He saw Miss Daphne rush by, crying, and called out her name.

Daphne came back, sniffling. "You wish to speak to me, your grace?" She curtsied and gave him a watery smile.

"Why are you upset?"

If he had known it was going to open the floodgates, he would have held his tongue. The next thing he knew, Daphne was sprawled on his chest, sobbing uncontrollably.

He patted at her golden hair and uttered soothing words as best he could, but he was ill equipped to deal with such a situation. After she accepted an offered handkerchief and dried her eyes, he bid her sit in the chair at his bedside and tell him all.

"Athena hates me! I want to know why Wexford hasn't replied to any of my letters since I've arrived, and she says it is none of her business."

The duke wisely said nothing to this, although he thought Miss Daphne rather selfish. On the other hand, a missive from one's fiancée should not be ignored. He wondered what had happened.

"Parliament is in session," he reminded her.

"But not all day and all night, and a reply would have been appreciated. I think he has a mistress!" she declared.

"Oh?"

"He must! What else would take up all his spare hours?"

The duke suppressed his laughter, knowing there were hundreds of other activities that could fill that time.

"But how am I to find out?" she continued.

"You could not find out, in all probability," the duke said.

Daphne only raised one eyebrow. "I shall ask my maid. Servants know everything, and if they don't, they can soon find out."

The duke shuddered. Not only was she correct, but he wasn't quite sure what she would do once she obtained her information.

"I beg of you, Miss Daphne - please do not investigate further at the moment."

"Why not?"

"Because... because I may be able to discover some information for you by more conventional means."

"You will have a Bow Street Runner follow him?"

The duke almost clapped a hand on his forehead in frustration.

"No. And I was not speaking specifically about a mistress. I only meant I may be able to discover how Wexford is spending his time in general."

"Oh, you are wonderful! Thank you!"

The family gathered in the drawing room for their meeting, including Beatrice and Lord Hayle.

"What has Beatrice to do with all this?" Francesca groused.

"She is still a member of this family," Athena gently reminded her. "She is allowed to help make decisions because she is not distancing herself from the current situation."

Beatrice looked at her husband and blushed. They knew how much she had wanted to separate herself at first.

"But that means the duke should be here, as well," Francesca insisted.

"No!" Athena said sharply. "What has he to do with us?"

"He accepted my apology," Harry said.

"He is offering his secretary as an escort so I may attend a lecture," Charlotte added.

"He did?" Athena frowned. The man was taking over her family.

"Oh?" Sir Edward bestirred himself from the chair where he had started to nap long enough to look at Mrs. Browne with one eyebrow raised.

"And he is going to investigate Wexford," Daphne said brightly.

"Oh, no!" Athena said with a moan. "He isn't!"

"Yes, he is!" Daphne said hotly. "You wouldn't and I can understand why," she said, as if explaining it to a child. "You are not able to go places a gentleman can. And I do believe he has better connections."

"But surely Papa could..."

"But he won't," Daphne blithely continued, as if her father were not sitting there.

"Athena," Harry said suddenly. "May I have lessons with a boy and his tutor who live across the square?"

"Not now, Harry," Eve warned.

"But I need someone to approach his papa..."

"I said not now." She covered his mouth with her hand. Athena could see something was going on there, but she did not have time to investigate.

"I just want her to leave now!" Gabby said, pointing to Mrs. Browne. The widow flushed and Athena gave her a sympathetic glance. Gabriella must be made to see reason - Mrs. Browne would make an excellent stepmother, and could take over the family problems. That thought brought a small pang of jealousy to Athena's heart.

"Not now, Gabby..." she started, but conversations broke out into an infernal din as everyone ignored her.

Sir Edward, alert now, fussed at Gabby for insulting Mrs. Browne, and the widow tried to defend Gabby, who wasn't having any of it. Eve and Harry argued over something that had happened earlier that day, and Daphne was apologizing to Hayle for not asking him to discover if Wexford had a mistress. Bea then scolded Daphne for even thinking such a thing about her fiancé, and Daphne burst into tears. Fran was quizzing Charlotte about the duke's secretary, and when her sister blushed, started teasing her about him instead. Only Aunt Florence was at a loss for words.

Athena shook her head at the chaos about her and knew who was at the root of her family's squabbles...

"Do you realize I cannot speak to my family now without your name coming to the forefront of the conversation?" Athena said tartly, storming into the duke's room without even a by-your-leave.

"Is that so?" he calmly replied. "What are they saying?" He resisted the urge to put his hands behind his head and act innocent. Athena was magnificent when she was angry - flashing blue eyes sparking with life - but he did not wish to take another tumble down the stairs, aided by Miss Caldwell's dainty foot.

"That you are taking responsibility for dealing with their problems. That you are going to make everything all better. That you can heal the sick and cause the blind to see," she said sarcastically.

"I never claimed to be deity, Miss Caldwell," he replied with a laugh. He should not have replied with humor. Athena seemed to have little of it when she was mad.

"I thank you to stay out of our business, your grace."

He frowned. "And why not? How else can I repay their hospitality - or yours, for that matter?"

"Mine?" Athena was nonplussed.

"Of course, yours. I am aware that you have taken on extra duties for my sake, and I thank you. The least I can do is keep your siblings from running to you with every little cut finger or hurt feelings."

"But..." She was visibly melting.

"But you are so used to being the center of their worlds, you don't know what to do when they run elsewhere. Haven't you ever wondered what would happen if you ever married and had your own family?"

Athena sighed and sat down wearily in the chair by the side of the bed. "I had never thought to marry," she admitted.

"No?" He reached for her hand and she gave it without thinking.

"I suppose I would have to give it all up at any rate, should Papa marry Mrs. Browne."

"And that would be a good thing?" he prompted.

"Yes. She seems the calm sort, and Aunt Florence said she has been helping her poor, overworked housekeeper without any fuss."

"Am I that much of a problem?"

"Oh, no, it's more the demands of all extra people in the house. I suppose as long as Beatrice and her family don't move in, we can all rub along fairly well," she said with a small smile.

Swindon nodded. Athena looked down and dropped his hand. "I... I must be getting back to the family now," she stammered. He asked her if Beatrice might have a few moments for him before she went home.

Athena assured him she would pass on his request and then hastily quit the room. She missed the smug expression on the duke's face as he put his hands behind his head.

Athena returned to the drawing room to find it empty except for her father. He was asleep.

"Wake up!" she said sharply in his ear.

Sir Edward jumped. "Don't do that!"

She ignored him and indicated the room. “Did you come to conclusions about anything?”

“I decided that Mrs. Browne stays…”

“Good. Perhaps you could take Gabby and Fran with you on a few outings, then.”

“What?” Sir Edward was clearly alarmed.

“Of course, if you are taking the girls, Harry must be invited, as well,” she mused. “Will you be sending him back to Eton?”

“The lad wants to try a tutor, and he and Eve assure me one may easily be procured.”

“Of course.” Was that their big secret? And why had all these important family decisions only been settled once she had left the room? They had been fighting like cats and dogs when she left.

Feeling unsettled, she went upstairs to paint. But as she reached the open door to the duke’s room, she heard Bea’s voice and remembered that his grace wished to speak to her sister. She paused a moment, even though she knew it was not very good of her.

Bea and Hayle had stopped by his room on their way home.

“Aren’t you the cat in the cream pitcher?” Bea teased, taking in Swindon’s smug pose and his lingering smile.

“Yes, I am. I have found the lady I want to spend the rest of my life with and I have the extreme good fortune to injure myself, thereby ensuring my continued stay in her aunt’s home.”

“You mean…? One my sisters?” Bea goggled at him and then burst out laughing.

“Do you mean to say you are not as injured as is believed?” Hayle asked.

“I have a mild sprain and that is all. The doctor has been most accommodating and says I may stay as long as I wish. Not only that, but I believe I am making some headway with the lady.”

“Which one?” Bea demanded. “Eve? Charlotte? Daphne?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. The first is charming, but definitely a child. Miss Charlotte, I believe, is impressed with my secretary, and Miss Daphne is engaged.”

“Athena? Good choice, Miles!” Hayle exclaimed. The duke nodded. Bea was thrilled and she gave the him a hug.

“I agree. Athena is perfect for you.”

“I just have to make her see that. What can you tell me about her? What does she do when she is not being mother to the entire family?”

“She likes to paint,” Bea replied. “And she is good, too. But she is shy about it.”

“And she takes long walks when she is at home, but that’s not something you can join her in right at the moment, is it, old friend?” Hayle teased.

Athena heard the duke say he had found the perfect wife right here in this house. Which sister? And she was furious that he was staying in their home under false pretenses. How dare he? Bea began to rattle names off, but Athena did not want to hear the answer, and she turned around and headed upstairs by way of the servants’ stairs.

Her path was clear – she had to get whichever sister he preferred to accept him, and then get them both out of her aunt’s house.

Chapter 5
 

“Come, Harry, we have to go on an errand,” Eve said imperiously the next morning. She had been waiting in the hall for her brother to finish his breakfast, and now she waylaid him in order to go out.

“Where to?” he asked suspiciously.

“The Marlowe residence, of course. I am to escort you over to see Peter.” And hopefully get an interview with Sir Thomas in the process.

“Athena is letting you do this?” Harry suspected his sister’s motives – she had never been this nice to him before. But he finally agreed and they were putting on their coats at the front door when Athena hailed them.

“Where are you two going?” she asked brightly.  Eve paused and Harry spoke up quickly, thinking his sister had changed her mind.

“Come with us, ’Thena! We’re going to call on Peter Marlowe. He’s my new friend. You’ll like him – he’s in a chair with wheels and he only has a papa, too…” Harry chattered on while Athena agreed to go.

Eve was quiet as they walked around the square, but as they reached the house, she took charge and asked authoritatively for the young man. As she handed over one of her calling cards, her fondest dream came true. Sir Thomas was coming down the stairs.

“Caldwell?” he asked after receiving the card from his butler. “How do you do? I’m Sir Thomas Marlowe.” He held out a hand to Harry first. “You must be Master Harry. I’ve heard so much about you. And these are your sisters?”

Harry nodded. “Miss Caldwell and Miss Eve Caldwell.” The ladies made their curtsies.

“Harry wished to visit his new friend,” Eve said, “but I am so glad you are here. I’ve been wanting to broach a specific subject with you, sir.” But she had lost his attention almost as soon as she began to speak. He was staring at Athena. And Athena and Harry were staring at her in turn.

She resisted the urge to shrug, knowing exactly what her siblings were thinking – that she was putting herself forward instead of being the family shrinking violet. And over a man, at that, one who seemed to have eyes only for her sister.

“Ahem!” Eve cleared her throat to call attention to herself once more.

“I beg your pardon, Miss Caldwell. Tompkins…” He called his butler. “Will you escort Master Harry up to the schoolroom?” Harry was all smiles and went off happily with the servant, leaving Sir Thomas to show the ladies into a parlor, where he invited them to sit. Eve was disgruntled to see him offer Athena a place on the sofa, and sit down beside her.

“Peter says he wishes Master Harry to share his tutor and lessons. I do not have a problem with that, and neither does Mr. Johnson. It would be nice for Peter to have a friend his age,” he said almost wistfully.

“Well, yes,” Athena said nervously, not quite sure what to make of all this. Eve cleared her throat again.

“What hours does your tutor set for your son, sir?”

“He takes lessons for two hours in the morning and four in the afternoon, with appropriate breaks in between. Will that be satisfactory, Miss Caldwell?” Sir Thomas turned back to Athena, who applied to Eve, for once, in mute appeal. Eve was much appeased by her sister’s attitude.

“We would be more than willing to pay part of Mr. Johnson’s wages,” Eve said

“That will not be necessary, Miss Eve. Companionship for my son will be worth whatever I pay the tutor, which is already generous.”

“That is very kind of you,” Athena said.

“It will be worth it, indeed,” Sir Thomas replied. Eve determined to give the tutor extra funds at any rate, especially if she could winkle her way into walking Harry over every day.

A light knock on the doorframe brought their attention to the butler. He had interrupted, he explained, in order to inform Sir Thomas that his morning appointment had arrived.

“If you will excuse me, ladies, I am required elsewhere. Tompkins will take you to your brother.” After he left, Eve blew out a sigh of frustration, as did her sister.

How am I going to gain his attention? Eve wondered.

Athena was not only embarrassed by Sir Thomas’ attention, but wondered how she was going to get Eve to visit the duke so she could gauge that reaction as well.

“You wish me to what?” The duke’s valet was so astonished by the request, he forgot to add “your grace.” That fact did not go unnoticed by his employer. But the duke only grinned and repeated his order.

“I wish you to help discover if Wexford has a mistress. He is betrothed to Miss Daphne, you know, and yet it has been a donkey’s age since she has set eyes on him.”

“I suppose I could nose about, talk to a few of his servants…”

“Excellent idea. In the meantime, I’ll invite Fenton to call. There’s nothing like a good gossip to give one the news they seek.”

“Lord Fenton, your grace?” The valet wore a pained expression. Lord Fenton was an old friend of the duke’s, but he was also extremely difficult to get rid of, and he didn’t want the gentleman to burden the already burgeoning household. Fenton had been known to come for dinner and stay for a month, even in one’s London townhouse. But the valet did as he was told and sent a footman to deliver his grace’s message to Fenton’s rooms.

When his lordship arrived, he was ushered directly to the duke’s bedchamber.

“Swindon!” He strolled into the room and glanced about at his grace’s incongruent surrounding. “I never thought I’d see the day you were surrounded by chintz!” Fenton laughed as he shook hands with his friend. “Or the day you would be in bed all day except with a beautiful woman.”

Athena, upon her arrival home, had learned of his grace’s visitor and had brought up a tea tray.

“Oh! I see I was not too far off the mark!” Fenton said.

Having heard both remarks, Athena blushed but kept most of her calm. After all, she was not the one who held his grace’s regard. The duke made introductions and invited her to join them. She agreed just as Lord Fenton asked the duke how he had managed to get himself laid up in such lovely surroundings.

“I had a bit of an accident,” Swindon replied, sounding as if it had been a bad experience.

“Oh, it was frightening!” Athena solemnly agreed. The man had barely injured himself, she knew now, but she found herself unable to reveal him in front of a stranger. Besides, she needed to find out which of her sisters he had fallen in love with, and she couldn’t do that if he were gone. “And his grace cannot be moved for awhile yet. I have several siblings, however, and they do their best to keep him entertained.”

“A difficult task at best,” Lord Fenton jested. “But I am here now to share the latest on-dits with you, Swindon. Let us see how much that will brighten your day.”

The duke settled in for a long session with the chatterbox and was not to be disappointed. Fenton rambled on until Athena begged to be excused, citing a planned coze with Mrs. Browne as her excuse. 

As soon as she was out of the room, Fenton leaned in to impart the most important part of his news.

“Angelique is getting restless,” he admitted, “and won’t stay much longer under your protection. She claims you have taken another under your wing.”

The duke yawned. “Angelique is free to find a new patron at any time. If she is distressed over my continued absence, she may look elsewhere for consolation.”

Fenton nodded and eyed the duke with some speculation. The man was noted for his lack of sympathy when it came time to discard his women, but he wasn’t sure if Swindon was growing bored with his current female or that he was turning his sights on a legitimate match. Could the man have fallen for the beautiful young lady providing his current care?

“I have a question for you, Fenton,” the duke said, unaware of the thoughts running through his friend’s head. “What do you see of Wexford lately?”

“Wexford? The man is tied to his mama’s sash! Not a night goes by that he isn’t seen escorting her hither and yon. Some say she dislikes his betrothed and seeks to keep them… Say, isn’t Wexford’s fiancee a Caldwell? A pretty blonde, name of Daphne?”

“You know it is, Fenton. Probably the reason you came running as soon as you received my note. Miss Daphne, as you can well imagine, is heartbroken by Wexford’s continued absence. Lady Wexford’s plan to keep him in leading strings seems to be working fine.” The duke shook his head. Distracting a man from his mistress was relatively simple, but when a man was being a mama’s boy, that was something completely different. Not that it couldn’t be handled, but it would take more than what he could do from his bed.

“A pity,” he said to Fenton. “But tell me… Does the lady still play deeply at Ruby’s?” He named a popular gaming hell.

Fenton chuckled. “Why do you think she is joined to Wexford’s hip? He keeps her in funds. I’m surprised Wexford even managed to get himself engaged last year, but if I recall, Lady Wexford was homebound for a couple of months in the spring after breaking her arm.”

“Oh? How did that happen?”

“It was rumored she hit a faro dealer when accusing him of cheating her. It is said not only had she been imbibing heavily at the time, but that she tried to get the man fired. I heard Wexford found him a new place of employment.”

“And Miss Daphne wishes to marry into that family?” the duke wondered aloud.

“In his defense, Wexford showed nothing but total devotion to Miss Daphne the entire time.”

“So he needs to be separated from his mother?”

“Does Prinny need a corset?”

Athena found Mrs. Browne in the drawing room pouring out afternoon tea for herself and Francesca. The two were chatting amiably, and she thought it a good thing at least one of her younger sisters enjoyed the widow’s company. But even as she sat down to join them, Gabrielle came into the room, saw who was there, snatched a muffin and left.

The widow sighed. “You, who should have the most reasons for disliking me, do not treat me as badly as does that child.”

Athena could only agree. “Indeed, I have long relished a replacement where it concerns some of the duties Papa has given me,” she surprised herself into saying.

“Such as introducing us to society,” Fran piped up.

"Yes, such as that, although we have had this discussion before, Miss Francesca,” Athena warned. “No season until next year.”

“I see no reason why we cannot take Francesca about with us to card parties and such,” Mrs. Browne said. “There are several of us to play chaperone now.” Athena could not say anything discouraging to that, not after seeing the glowing light in her sister’s eyes. Mrs. Browne leaned over and patted Fran’s hand.

“We shall have fun, you and I.”

Athena realized one more thing as slipping out of her grasp and she quickly drank her tea, leaving the other two to make plans to go shopping. Heading up to Charlotte’s room, she discovered from a maid that her sister had gone out. She wondered if his grace’s visitor was gone as well, or if they needed more refreshments, and went back to the duke’s room.

He was alone, but appeared delighted to see her. Athena wondered if he wouldn’t rather have other company, but she could not think of a polite way to ask.

“Quite the gossip, Fenton…” the duke said.

“Oh?”

“Gave me a bit of information about Wexford, as well.”

“Is he…?” Again, Athena was at a loss as she struggled for polite words.

“There is a female involved, but no mistress. The poor man is too busy dancing attendance on his mother to have time for a fiancee, let alone a paramour.”

She blushed crimson at the thought of any man having a mistress.

“Lady Wexford is behind all this?”

“Apparently so. But I have an idea that might work to separate mother hen from her engaged chick and reunite him with his beloved.”

“What do you propose?”

“First, we need to find out where they will next appear in society. Then we shall need…” He sat up straighter and snapped his fingers. “Uncle Thaddeus!”

Chapter 6

“Excuse me?” Athena had never met any of Swindon’s relatives, and could not fathom why an uncle should be mentioned now, when they were discussing Lord Wexford and his mother.

“My uncle, Lord Thaddeus Fletcher,” the duke explained. “Not only is he a handsome old bird, but he is a hardened gamester. And if there is one thing I’ve learned today about Lady Wexford, it’s that she likes deep play. But I shall need your help.”

“Mine?”

The duke smiled. “I can’t leave just yet, and I’ll need someone to tag along and keep an eye on Uncle Thaddeus. He’s somewhat of a loose cannon.”

“But I don’t play at all!”

“I could teach you.”

“But… don’t you want one of my sisters to help instead?” she persisted.

“Miss Charlotte is too honest, Miss Daphne too squeamish – not to mention too close to the situation – Miss Eve is too shy and Miss Francesca is too young. Although, I’ll admit, if Miss Francesca were older, she would be perfect.”

Athena wondered if he meant the game now, or something else. Was he willing to wait for Fran to gain a year or so of maturity? Then his words hit her.

“You are saying I would be a perfect accomplice because I am dishonest, unrefined, brassy and old?”

“Not at all,” the duke said smoothly, experienced in handling women. “I’m saying that no one knows how to deal with people and delicate situations better than yourself.”

“Oh. I…” He was rather easy with the compliments for someone in love with one of her sisters. Whatever else Athena was going to say was interrupted by a tall redhead in a revealing walking outfit of robin’s egg blue.

“Cherie!” she cried and threw herself on the duke’s chest.

“What are you doing here, Angelique?” he asked, muffled by the plumes in the woman’s bonnet.

“I have come to cheer you up, darling!” She turned and assessed Athena with a woman’s eye and found her lacking. “She may not watch,” she said with a pout.

“There will be nothing to watch, Angelique, so it is a moot point. You must want something if you have come to visit now, after all this time.”

“I do not want a thing!” she insisted, throwing covert glances at Athena. “I missed you and I heard you were here, so here am I! Oh, Miles, darling, you need a real woman to kiss it and make it better.”

“If you wish to be of service, you can start by leaving.”

“But I want to be your angel of mercy!”

“I have been here for several days and you are just now calling as an angel of mercy? Could it be you have learned I am in a house full of young ladies? Blast that Fenton!”

“You must not blame Fenton, mon amour...”

“I can only imagine what you promised in exchange for such information. So run along and give it to him, if you wish. Angel of mercy, indeed.”

“But I am! I’m ready to attend to all your wants and needs…”

The duke coughed and nodded toward Athena, who was pink-cheeked and wide-eyed in wonder over the gall of this unwanted guest.

“I shall move in and take care of you…” Angelique announced.

“Oh, no, you won’t!” He motioned to Athena to get help. Totally embarrassed at this display of wantonness in front of her, and not wanting to stay and invite comparison, she quickly obliged. Running downstairs to the servants’ hall, she found the duke’s valet, who had just returned from visiting with the Wexford servants.

“A female named Angelique has arrived and I do not think his grace is too happy with her at the moment,” she said, and followed the valet when he turned pale and ran upstairs. She was discomfited by the arrival of what was obviously the duke’s bit of muslin, but she wasn’t going to miss everything that went on under her nose in this house.

The caterwauling of Angelique, protesting her love for the duke and refusing to leave his side, had attracted a crowd to the duke’s bedchamber, with even shy Eve peeking into the room to watch as the valet physically removed the woman from the duke’s chest. Athena had to pull Gabby out of the way as the courtesan was escorted out of the house, and then she sent everyone back to their own business.

After dinner, when the ladies had retired to the drawing room alone, the duke’s mistress was the main topic of conversation. Instead of being shocked, however, the majority seemed to be curious, and eager to share their opinions.

“So that’s what a barque of frailty looks like,” Francesca said by way of introducing the subject to the room. She knew everyone else was dying to discuss this.

“That blue gown was beautiful,” Gabby added.

“But definitely not suitable for a young lady,” Aunt Florence admonished with a sniff.

“And those diamonds!” Mrs. Browne exclaimed. “Do you think he bought them?”

“If she wanted something from him,” Charlotte said, having heard second-hand about the visit, which had occurred while she was with Beatrice, “she would hardly wear another man’s jewels.

“If I had hair that color,” Daphne said with a sigh, “Wexford might notice me.”

“If you had hair that color, Wexford would jilt you!” Athena snapped. Everyone looked at her in surprise.

“Whatever is the matter?” Eve dared ask.

“She has put Swindon on a pedestal, but Angelique came along and knocked him off,” Fran shrewdly deduced. “Honestly, ‘Thena, did you think he wouldn’t have a woman under his protection?”

“I do not wish to discuss it, and neither should you. It’s hardly appropriate talk for ladies.” No one seemed the least bit chastened by her words.

“I wouldn’t let it bother you, Athena,” Charlotte said philosophically. “Adrian says His Grace was not pleased with the woman’s playacting and has already severed the alliance.”

“Truly?” Daphne’s eyes were wide and she hung on every word. After all, should Wexford have a mistress, she needed all the information about the demimondaine she could get.

“I believe Angelique got the deed to her house and a tidy sum for today’s performance.”

“How much?” Daphne demanded. What if she could pay off Wexford’s woman from her dowry?

“Several thousand pounds.”

There were a variety of exclamations over such an amount, but Daphne, deflated, sank back on the sofa with another sigh.

“Adrian?” Francesca asked, recalling her sister’s use of a first name for the duke’s secretary. Charlotte had the grace to blush.

“Did you know he is the third son of a marquess? He was supposed to take orders, but His Grace offered him a position instead, and is grooming him for a political position…” Charlotte’s countenance became positively dreamy at the thought of a career in politics, and the expression did not go unnoticed by her sisters. Except Athena, who excused herself while the younger girls and older ladies quizzed Charlotte about her obvious tendre.

It was no use berating the duke for having a mistress, she thought as she went up to her room. Gentlemen had them and that was that.

She changed clothes, piled up her pillows, climbed under the coverlet and picked up her sketchbook.

To his credit, the duke had dismissed the female almost immediately, and he had not dropped in her sisters’ estimation, only hers. And when did her opinion count for anything these days?

She outlined the duke’s square face with her pencil and added his stubborn chin before feathering in his Windswept hair style, smudging the lines with one finger as she went.

It was a season of change - that was a certainty. Charlotte had a beau – why else would Lord Adrian inform her of his employer’s personal business? Eve had a secret of some sort and Fran seemed to become friends with Mrs. Browne overnight. The widow appeared to be in line as the next Lady Caldwell, and Daphne, should this problem with Wexford be resolved, was also to wed soon. Gabby, who had barely known their mother, was bound to get along with Mrs. Browne sooner or later, and Harry would no doubt get his tutor. This left Athena to fend for herself.

And so she would, she decided, sketching in Swindon’s well-shaped lips. She would stay in London with Aunt Florence and paint.

On Tuesday, Charlotte was all in a dither – it was the night of the lecture on social reforms and she and Lord Adrian were to attend together, along with Mrs. Browne, who had graciously agreed to act as chaperone.

Athena came down to breakfast that morning to find Charlotte already there, sipping tea with a strange look on her face. In fact, her face looked strange. She peered closer.

“What is wrong with your eyes?”

Charlotte actually preened. “Do you like it? Beatrice showed me how to use it.” Her eyes were rimmed with khol.

"It’s, er, different,” Athena said diplomatically.

“I think so, too,” She happily dove into a plate of buttered eggs.

Eve and Harry came in and ate quickly, so they could head over to Peter’s house; Daphne sent down word that she had the headache and would stay in bed; and Francesca and Mrs. Browne had already left on a shopping expedition. That left Sir Edward, Aunt Florence and Gabby, but the lady of the house claimed she needed to confer with Cook, and the baronet gave his excuses and left.

“We could visit the duke,” Gabby shyly suggested. Athena agreed with the plan.

“What took you so long?” Swindon demanded almost petulantly when they reached his room.

“Had we been summoned, then?” Athena asked archly.

“I was getting bored.”

Gabby giggled, but Athena knew he could end his charade at any time and had no sympathy.

“Come, Miss Caldwell, Miss Gabrielle, let us play cards.” He was shuffling a deck in his hands.

“Faro, perhaps?” Athena asked. The duke grinned.

“Do you play faro, Miss Caldwell?”

“No, but maybe we may relieve some of your boredom by allowing you to teach us?”

He looked at Miss Gabrielle and back to her sister.

“Are you certain?”

“Why not? Gabby actually is a very good player.” She glanced fondly at the younger girl. “And would make an excellent partner.”

The duke’s eyebrow rose a notch. Suddenly they did not seem to be speaking of cards.

“I just thought she might be… well… a little young for that sort of thing.”

So it wasn’t Gabrielle he wanted. She was relieved on that score – the girl was much too young, and he had not seemed the type to rob the cradle. There were so many things about him she did not know, and this could have been one of them.

Gabby was totally oblivious to the undertones of the conversation, but she brightened when Athena said she could learn the game. The duke asked her to bring him a long narrow tray from behind the door.

“I don’t own a faro table, so we shall have to improvise.” He took all the spades out of one deck and arranged them around the board in numerical order.

“Here are a few pennies for each of us to play with,” he said, handing around a fistful of coins. “And yes, Miss Gabby, you may keep your earnings.” She grinned at him.

“Place your coins on whichever cards you think will come up next,” the duke instructed. “If you are playing in public, counters are used to keep track of which cards have been used, but we shall have to make do with our memories.”

He patted the bed, inviting the ladies to come closer, and Gabby carefully arranged herself at his feet, leaving his side for her sister. Athena did not think Gabby planned it that way, but she was nervous just the same as she gingerly perched herself on the edge of the bed. Swindon’s smile was just a little too knowing for her comfort.

“Now, the first card into play belongs to the dealer – me – and I get all the bets placed on that number.”

The ladies placed coins down on some of the cards and the duke turned over the queen of diamonds. Athena had placed a copper on the queen and the duke chuckled as he took it.

“The winnings of the next deal go to those betting on that number, and the payoff is one to one. You earn another penny for every one you wager.” He revealed a two of clubs and had to pay a delighted Gabby.

More pennies were distributed and another card turned over. A four. No one won. But the next time, when Athena won two coins for the two she had placed on the nine, the duke’s fingers clung to hers when he paid her winnings.

The rest of the cards, save three, followed in quick succession. Gabby had the largest pile of coins, although Athena held her fair share, but she also knew which cards remained.

“All right,” the duke announced. “If you can call these last three in their correct order of appearance, the winnings odds increase. Care to try, Miss Caldwell?”

“The ace of diamonds, the five of clubs and the ten of hearts,” she guessed and turned to her sister.

“Ten, ace and five,” Gabby predicted.

“Let us see who wins.”

The ten appeared first, and Gabby’s smile was smug. Not only had she called it, but she had bet two coins on the number. Swindon told her to leave her money where it was. If she guess the order of all three, she would be paid four to one. The next card, the ace, had her squealing in delight, and the duke had to ring for his valet to help pay the young lady.

“Thank you!” she said, leaning forward and kissing his cheek once she had collected all her earnings. “I think I’ll go hide these somewhere Fran can’t find them…” She scooted off the bed and ran from the room, followed by the valet, leaving Athena alone with the duke.

“And that, Miss Caldwell, is how one plays faro,” he said softly.

“And butters up one little sister, as well,” she replied. “It is easier than I thought.”

“A lot of things are easier once one learns the rules,” he replied, taking her hand in his and rubbing the top of it with his thumb. “Shall we play some more?”

“I…” She snatched back her hand but slid off the bed slowly, even though she was more than aware of his proximity and their lack of a chaperone. “I think I had better put my own earnings somewhere, too.”

“Come back when you are finished,” the duke requested. “We have much to talk about.”

Chapter 7

“Come back when you are finished – we have much to talk about.”

Those words haunted Athena as she put her faro winnings in her room. A highly improper request, of course, but she found herself unable to resist the temptation. Perhaps she could bring her sketchbook and sit in the chair and they could have a rational conversation at a safe distance.

When she returned to his room, pencil and paper in hand, however, a portly older gentleman with a shock of graying blonde hair sat comfortably in the bedside chair sipping a glass of wine.

“Miss Caldwell,” the duke called. “Come meet my uncle, Lord Thaddeus Fletcher. Uncle Thaddeus, one of my hostesses, Miss Caldwell.”

The older man creaked as he rose and bowed over her hand and she suspected he wore a corset.

“Won’t you take this seat, Miss Caldwell?” he asked.

Athena thanked him and wondered if the conversation the duke had alluded to earlier was to include his uncle. Apparently so.

“I invited Uncle Thad here to discuss your outing to Mrs. Cartwright’s establishment.”

“Mrs. Cartwright?”

“It’s the gaming hell preferred by Lady Wexford because it does not offer, ahem, other services,” the duke explained.

Athena blushed.

“She’s a pretty one, nevvy,” Lord Thaddeus remarked. “I can’t imagine why you’d allow her to be exposed to such hardened gamesters like myself.”

“Because the lady’s downfall needs to come from a Caldwell.” He explained the situation to the older man, who could only agree in the end.

“Shall we pick Wednesday then?” Lord Thaddeus suggested. “When everyone will be at Almack’s?”

“Excellent idea,” the duke said, but looked to Athena for approval. “It will involve some deception on your part, Miss Caldwell.”

Athena refrained from making a sarcastic comment concerning his own duplicity and pasted a smile on her face as she agreed to make an excuse to avoid Almack’s. When she realized she didn’t really want to attend the assembly, her smile became genuine.

“I say, nevvy – you’ve fallen into clover at this house, haven’t you?” Lord Thaddeus said, dazzled by Athena’s sudden radiance.

“That I have,” the duke agreed, equally affected by her smile.

They were joined by Francesca, who wished to show his grace her new gown, the one she was going to wear to Almack’s.

“Mrs. Browne has obtained vouchers for us to join Athena and Eve!” she said with excitement, tossing a dress box up onto the bed. Athena was forced to make introductions when it seemed the duke was preoccupied with Francesca and her gown.

“Pleased to meet you,” Francesca said in the direction of the older man, but she was really watching the duke’s reaction.

“It is truly perfect for you,” he told her as she pulled the lacy white gown out of the box. “And if I could attend the assembly, I would ask for a dance.”

“And I would grant you one,” Francesca coyly replied. “Swindon told me what would suit for a gown, you know,” she admitted to her sister.

“No one has better taste in women’s fashions than Miles,” Lord Thaddeus agreed.

“You should have seen the high flyer in here the other day,” Francesca replied. “Her gown was so stylish.”

“Ah, his beauteous Angelique.”

“She is not my Angelique any more,” the duke said blandly.

“No? Oh, how wonderful!” Francesca exclaimed, throwing her arms around him.

Athena did not realize she could become jealous of any of her sisters, but at that moment she would have gladly traded places with Fran. Swindon, however, needed to behave. Schooling her features into a cheerful expression, she gently extricated her sister from the duke’s embrace.

“Why don’t you run upstairs and have one of Aunt Florence’s maids press it for you.”

“Can’t let it get mussed!” Fran readily agreed. She dropped the gentlemen a quick curtsy and scampered out, her gown and dress box in tow.

Lord Thaddeus chuckled. “I have to shove off, nevvy. I’ll come around tomorrow evening after the young chits are off to the marriage mart.” He shuddered. “Until then, Miss Caldwell…”

“He does not think much of young ladies?” she asked when he was gone.

“He has nothing against ‘young chits,’ as he calls them, but he despises Lady Jersey, and so he avoids Almack’s.”

“And you – do you like ‘young chits’?” she queried.

“Like Miss Francesca?” he asked.

“Yes, like Francesca.”

“Come here…” he said softly and held out a hand.

“My youngest sisters are not old enough for you,” she brought herself to say, even as she took his hand. Inwardly she cursed herself for giving in so easily to his commands.

“You think I don’t know that, Miss Caldwell? As far as Miss Gabrielle and Miss Francesca are concerned, I am like a favorite uncle – or an older brother. I am honored, of course, that they come to me for advice...”

“But…”

“But they have always come to you before now?” His knowing gaze brought roses to her cheeks. “The solution to that problem is easier than you suppose, Miss Caldwell.”

She looked down at their intertwined fingers. “It is?”

“Of course. When they come to me, I shall insist you be consulted and we can help them together. Between us, I imagine there is not a problem we cannot solve.”

He was offering a compromise, one that would serve them well until he and whichever sister he wanted were married.

“Deal?” he asked.

“Yes.”

The butler appeared in the doorway and coughed discreetly.

“Yes, Pritchard?”

"A Sir Thomas Marlowe to see you, Miss Caldwell. I’ve taken the liberty of putting him in the salon. He has…” The butler cleared his throat and eyed the duke. “He has brought flowers.”

“Oh?” Athena frowned, knowing Eve had her eye on the handsome widower.

“An admirer?” the duke asked, intensely curious.

“I suppose.” She followed Pritchard out of the room, but glanced back at the duke as she disappeared through the doorway.

Athena found Sir Thomas standing in the middle of the salon with a bouquet of freesia, and she relaxed somewhat. The flowers stood for friendship; she had been worried that he carried red roses or something else that meant love.

“Good day, Miss Caldwell. I… these are for you,” he said shyly, thrusting the posy into her hands.

“Thank you. What brings you to call?” she wondered, cutting to the chase even as she sat and invited him to do the same.

“Er… I wanted to thank you for making my son so happy. I haven’t seen him so cheerful in ages.”

“All credit must go to my brother and sister, then, not me. But I am happy to hear of your son’s improvement.”

“I thought…” A thumping noise could be heard upstairs, giving him pause.

“Mice,” Athena said whimsically, wishing Eve would show up and hoping the noise meant the duke was out of bed.

“I’ve never heard mice so loud,” the baronet said seriously, apparently not appreciating her humor.

“Rats, then,” she said with a shrug. Or one very large ducal albatross.

Sir Thomas looked alarmed. Fortunately, Eve came in search of Athena, and she jumped at the chance to be saved.

“Eve! Sir Thomas has brought us flowers. Isn’t that lovely? He is thanking us for making his son happy.”

Sir Thomas could only smile and remark that he was just leaving. Eve offered to see him out. Athena let them go with a sigh of relief and went upstairs to see what the sea bird was up to.

The duke was practicing with crutches and Athena, who knew he needed no such assistance, laughed when she saw him coming down the hall.

“Your tete-a-tete with Sir Thomas over so soon?” he asked brightly.

“I told him we had rats in the house and he did not understand the jest. Fortunately, Eve came in and she is seeing him out now.” She sat down in a hall chair with a weary sigh.

“You do not wish the gentleman’s attentions?”

“No, I do not. He is a handsome man, and his son is very nice, but I do not feel anything for them. I also would not wish to go directly to another household where I am immediately the main caregiver.”

“You need time to yourself before you have children,” he said, his voice tinged with understanding.

Athena looked up sharply – she had been thinking that same exact thing. “Yes, I suppose I do. I would like to be the center of attention for once. Does that make me a selfish person?” she asked.

“Of course not.” He sat in a chair opposite her. “You have given of yourself for years, Miss Caldwell. It is time you get a little of that back.”

“Then that is what I shall do. Look for a gentleman who has no children and no immediate family with demands, and I shall let him shower me with attention for as long as possible. Do you know anyone who meets those criteria?” she asked playfully.

The duke stared at her for a long time and she grew nervous under his gaze. Had she said something wrong?

“I know someone, Miss Caldwell, but I am not yet at liberty to introduce him.”

“Oh?” She was intrigued and disappointed at the same time, rather hoping against hope he had been going to offer himself for the position. Still, if she could not have him, she should like to meet his friend.

“You shall meet him someday soon. In the meantime, could you tell me why Miss Charlotte had cosmetics on her face this morning when she brought me tea?”

Athena giggled and gladly helped him change the subject. “She looks rather silly, doesn’t she? Bea showed her how to use them because she wishes to attract… Oh, dear, perhaps I should not say anything…”

“Woodley,” the duke surmised. “Don’t worry, Miss Caldwell. I am not upset. In fact, I rather think the two of them suit. It is one of the reasons I introduced them, in fact.”

“You… introduced Charlotte and Lord Adrian?” One more sister was out of the running. That left only Daphne and Eve.

“I did. Woodley is interested in social causes, Miss Charlotte is involved in social causes. Woodley is a charming gentleman with a good job and an inheritance from his godmother. Miss Charlotte needs some romance in her life. What could be better?”

“What, indeed? I would never have guessed your grace as a matchmaker.”

“No? Who do you think prodded Hayle into offering for Beatrice?”

Athena had never heard this story. “I did not think men had to be prodded into anything around Beatrice! Do tell!”

The duke laughed out loud, his outburst filling the hall. “Hayle and I were at a house party the year Lady Hayle made her debut, one in which your sister attended with a friend, Lady Conover. I do not know where your father and aunt were at the time, but they were not present that week. It was obvious to me that Hayle had fallen head over heels for the chit, but he was too shy to do anything about it.”

“Shy? Hayle?” It was Athena’s turn to laugh.

“Truly, he was! Your sister is a beautiful lady, and every time she looked in Hayle’s direction, his tongue tied up in knots.”

“I can scarce believe it. What did you do to push him in Bea’s direction?”

“I decided to show interest in her, as well, and wagered that she would not look in Hayle’s direction if she knew a duke was pursuing her.”

Athena snorted. “If you knew Bea, you would know she is not like that at all.”

“I could see that soon enough, but Hayle was besotted, and jealous, and before the end of the season, she was his. I was glad, actually, because as much as I like and admire your sister, I knew she was not for me.”

Athena smiled and thought of Eve and Daphne. “And now you know who is meant for you.”

The duke’s return smile was secretive. “Oh, yes, I have known that for several days now.”

Athena quickly excused herself and left the duke to his own devices in the hall, saying she had to make Charlotte wash that mess off her face before the evening’s lecture. She did not want to be in Swindon’s confidence. Not concerning that.

Chapter 8

“Athena!” Charlotte hissed. “Wake up!” She shook her older sister carefully, trying not to disrupt Gabby on the other side of the bed.

“Wha?” Athena opened her eyes to find her sister standing over her, candle in hand.

“Oh, Athena! I’m so excited and I have to share with someone!”

Her sister gave her a sleepy smile and rose to find her wrapper. Motioning Charlotte away from the bed, lest Gabby stir, she directed her to the window seat that overlooked their aunt’s miniscule garden.

“What time is it?”

“Oh, midnight or so,” Charlotte said airily, as if that was of no import.

“The lecture went on that long?”

“Oh, no! But Adrian and I – that is, Lord Adrian and I – were invited to a political salon and Mrs. Browne was so obliging as to agree to attend it with us. Did I tell you Adrian aspires to a seat in the House? There were a couple of gentlemen there tonight who strongly indicated he would have little opposition. I also met Lady Sweetwater – it was her salon – and she said with the right sort of wife, Adrian would go far. Oh, Athena! She said I would be perfect for that, and Adrian did not protest!”

Athena was a little more awake now, and she hid a smile, thinking Lord Adrian could hardly protest in front of the ladies without appearing rude.

“It sounds wonderful,” she agreed, happy for her sister.

“Did you know Mrs. Browne is acquainted with many of the people present this evening?”

“Truly?” Athena was surprised. She knew the widow had social connections, but not political ones.

“Her late husband was an MP. I can’t imagine her grooming Papa for such a life,” she added with a giggle, and the two sisters shared a laugh.

“No, Papa would try to pass laws such as allowing fox hunting on Sundays or letting boys keep their dogs at school,” Athena said.

Charlotte laughed. “Harry would like that, if he ever went back to Eton. I doubt if he will. He likes taking lessons with Peter Marlowe. Speaking of which, Sir Thomas was at the lecture and salon this evening…”

“Oh?”

“He asked specifically after you,” Charlotte teased. Athena made a face.

“Eve likes him very much and I would not interfere with that, even if I admired Sir Thomas as well.”

“But…”

“Did you know his grace likes either Eve or Daphne,” Athena said, slightly altering the subject.

“Are you certain? Daphne is engaged and Eve is interested elsewhere. If the duke has developed a tendre for one of them, he will have to work things out on his own.”

Work things out…

Athena thought about all this even after a happy Charlotte hugged and kissed her goodnight and went off to bed to dream about life in the political arena.

Was the duke arranging Eve’s life to suit him by discouraging Sir Thomas, or was he trying to discredit Lady Wexford so that Daphne might cry off from her engagement? And why did Athena feel as if the duke was using her to achieve these ends? It was all very confusing and she finally dropped off to sleep without drawing a conclusion to the entire matter.

She did not have time to think at all the next day, because the household was in an uproar. Eve disappeared early, with Harry, but came racing back alone not thirty minutes later, in a pucker because Peter had told Harry that his father was to attend Almack’s.

Athena, hoping Sir Thomas was not attending because he thought she was, said not a word about Eve’s previous protests concerning ton functions, and the assemblies in general, and followed behind a frantic sister as she hurried up to her wardrobe.

“I don’t have a thing to wear!” Eve wailed after giving her clothes a mere glance. “We don’t have time to go shopping now!”

“We bought you several nice gowns that are more than appropriate for Almack’s,” Athena said calmly.

“Such as? And how do I decide which one?” Eve was clearly in a panic.

“Wait right here. I know how to resolve this,” Athena told her. She found his grace’s valet and made a request. He agreed and they went off to put things in motion.

Athena let Eve fret and flutter about the room until there was a loud thumping noise coming up the stairs, followed by a knock.

“His grace is interested in what you will choose to wear to Almack’s this evening,” the valet said when Eve opened the door.

“He can’t come in here!” she squeaked.

“He shall be sitting out in the hall and would like you to model each dress for him,” came the reply.

Athena thought this might spur her sister into making a decision without the duke’s interference, but Eve surprised her once again when she giggled and rang for a maid.

“I shall wear them out to show both of you,” she said, shoving Athena toward the door.

“Start with the mint green silk,” Athena suggested as she allowed herself to be pushed out of the room.

“She doesn’t wish my assistance?” the duke asked with some alarm as Athena took a seat on a curved bench at his side. He sounded almost put out about something most men would have gladly avoided.

“She wants to show us both.” Athena rolled her eyes.

“Excellent! Then I will not have to brave the stairs again for awhile. Dashed difficult things, stairs.”

“Oh, very,” she agreed with a smirk, knowing the duke could walk without aid whenever he wished.

A maid appeared and was admitted to the bedroom Eve shared with Daphne. Swindon and Athena made desultory conversation while they waited, but Eve, entering into the spirit of the game, was quick, coming out shortly in a white sarcenet with a rose pink tunic over it.

“Not bad,” the duke said as she glided down the hall runner to the stairs, and back.

Athena agreed. After all, it was one of several gowns she had chosen for the girl a few weeks before. “She has a rose cameo on a white ribbon to wear at her neck,” she told the duke once her sister returned to her room.

“That would be a nice touch, although Miss Eve would never look out of place wearing pearls.”

“She has those, too. I had Papa give her a single strand for Christmas.”

“You certainly live up to your name,” he complimented her, referring to the goddess of wisdom.

“Purely coincidental, I assure you.”

“How so? You wisely knew your sister was to make her debut and tailored her gift toward that future. What did you arrange for Sir Edward to give your other sisters?”

Athena blushed, having been caught out. “Charlotte received subscriptions to several political and social publications; Daphne was given one of Mama’s pairs of diamond earrings; Francesca was promised a trip to the races; and Gabrielle was given a puppy. I’m just glad she had the sense to leave him in the kennels when she came to town.”

“On a cabbage cart!” he said with a laugh. “I have never been around such a delightful family in my entire life.”

“Never?”

“I had a lonely childhood, Miss Caldwell. No siblings, no cousins and no young aunts or uncles like Hayle’s children are blessed with. They are so fortunate to be members of such a large, loving family,” he said wistfully.

“Hmpf! What I wouldn’t have given to be an only child! No one borrowing your belongings without permission and then returning them stained, ripped or broken…” she retorted.

“No one to play cards with on rainy afternoons… No one to pretend with in makeshift forts and castles…” he countered.

“No one to fight with over the last pudding… No one to beat you to the best seat on the hearth…”

“No one to giggle with in church… No one to keep you warm by sharing a blanket on a cold night…”

Athena sighed. She and Bea and Charlotte had often huddled in one bed, especially after Athena was old enough to leave the nursery. Even now, having to share with Gabby had its rewards – companionship, warmth, togetherness…

“Ah, I see you are suddenly recalling the benefits of so many sisters,” he said with a grin, watching her intently.

“I… I suppose I am. But I thought I would never forgive Bea for breaking the head off my favorite doll.”

“How old were you?”

“I was nine and she was eight,” she said with a faraway look. “I tried to fix it, but it was never the same again. An ear was chipped, too, where her hair would not cover it. She had such beautiful golden curls…”

“Blue eyes?”

“Naturally. And a blue and white striped gown, and the most delicate fichu. It came off and sometimes I would…”

Eve came out of the room in a lemon yellow satin. “Well?”

“Lovely, dearest, but I think it’s too low in the bodice. I don’t recall telling the modiste to cut it so deep.”

“It is the fashion,” the duke remarked, giving the girl’s décolletage only a quick glance.

“Not for one of my sisters. Bea may wear what she wishes now, of course, but I do not like the idea, Eve, of men staring down at your chest all evening.”

“Neither do I,” Eve declared and went back into the bedroom to put on another gown.

Athena did not realize she had been holding her breath, afraid her sister might kick up a fuss, until the duke leaned back in his chair and sighed.

“Another benefit of a large family. By time you have your own family, you will know what to expect,” he remarked.

“Think that if you wish, sir, but I rather believe I shall be faced with all new problems by then.”

He laughed. “No doubt. How long have you been mothering your siblings?”

“For the past ten years or so.”

The duke whistled in amazement. “That long? No wonder you are ready for that man with no children.”

“Only because it looks as if Mrs. Browne is about to become our new mother, and Daphne will not be long with us, I hope. Even Charlotte is well on her way to becoming a politician’s wife. Isn’t she?” she asked, suddenly concerned that Lord Adrian was not marriage material.

“If Woodley’s complete lack of concentration this morning is any indication, I would say yes. Your suggestion to come upstairs saved me from having to bark at the lad for his inattention. I seriously believe he is still mooning about my room instead of returning home for a requested set of papers.”

“Oh, dear,” Athena sympathized. “Charlotte woke me at midnight to tell me what a wonderful evening she had.”

The duke knew. His room was directly below Athena’s and he had heard the soft murmur of their voices as he lay in bed wondering how much longer he could manage to stay with this lovely lady and her incredibly entertaining family. The family she had raised, he thought proudly.

“It sounds like a perfect match.”

“She said Mrs. Browne had some serious political connections of her own.”

The duke nodded. “I realized last night that Mrs. Browne’s late husband had been a well-respected MP. I was sorry to hear of his passing, and then she disappeared a year or so ago from town.”

“She has been letting one of our cottages, and now she and Papa are almost inseparable.”

“I’m glad she had found someone new. She isn’t planning on grooming your father for the political arena, is she?” he asked in some alarm.

“I hope not!”

They were still laughing when Eve appeared once more, this time in the mint green silk.

“Perfect!” the duke declared. “Miss Francesca will look like an angel in white, but you shall look like a goddess.”

Eve blushed. “Do you think I shall attract a certain someone’s attention? After all, Athena will be there.”

Athena almost said she would not, but sudden pressure from the duke’s foot on hers reminded her of their plans for secrecy. Not to mention that the physical contact quite distracted her from what she had been about to say.

Chapter 9

"Athena is not going with us to the assembly this evening?" Francesca asked as they gathered in the drawing room after dinner.

Sir Edward was to escort them to Almack's, on Mrs. Browne's insistence, and he seemed startled by the news. The widow thought perhaps he had hoped to escape to the card room and leave his eldest daughter as the other chaperone. "The poor girl has the headache," she told him. "And no wonder, with all the work she puts into this family." She eyed them all rather intently and was pleased to see several of them flush, including Eve and Daphne. "Let the dear have an evening to herself," she urged. "And I've no doubt we shall see Lord and Lady Hayle, as well." Because she had sent Beatrice a note even before Athena had made her excuses.

Upstairs, Athena had gone through the motions of getting dressed for Almack's before crying off, and was now dressed to go out. Once she sent word of her headache to her family, she dismissed her maid, assuring the girl she would prepare for bed on her own.

Alone, she fitted a half mask in black velvet to her face and chose a matching evening cloak from her wardrobe. Throwing it about her, she went out a side door and waited for Lord Thaddeus' carriage in the mews.

"I could not let you stand out here by yourself," Swindon's voice came from the shadows. Athena could just make out his form, on crutches, in the dark.

"I'm rather nervous about all this," she admitted, pleased by his presence.

"You'll be safe with Uncle Thaddeus," he assured her. "How daring you are tonight, slipping out with an older gentleman," he teased.

"You needn't remind me," she said, her gloved hands rising to her warm cheeks.

"I admire your bravery, is all. You recall that if tonight is not successful, you may have to return. The goal is to buy up as many of her ladyship's vowels as possible. Only then will we have a bargaining chip with Wexford."

"I don't totally approve, of course, but I understand."

"You would not wish your sister to be unhappy in her marriage, or remain betrothed for life, would you?"

"No, I would not. I do think, however, that Daphne should be present when we confront the Wexfords."

"That may be arranged. Your sister is not quite the silly widgeon one thinks upon first meeting her, and she may need leverage in the future."

"She does love him, you know." Athena thought she should get that out into the open.

"I know."

"Then why are you doing this?" she wondered as a carriage was heard down the lane.

"Can't you guess?" he asked. Without waiting for a reply, he leaned over and kissed her forehead. "For luck."

"But..." Athena wanted to ask a multitude of questions, but he was propelling her toward the now-waiting carriage.

"If I could, I would go with you."

Something snapped in Athena. She felt suddenly as if he were purposely throwing her to the wolves. If he wished, he could stop this charade at any time.

"You could go with me," she said, her eyes glittering with anger, "but you won't quit playacting and get back on your feet." Her head held high, she started to sweep past him, but he stayed her with one hand.

"How long have you known?"

"Almost from the start."

"When you come home, we need to talk."

"Yes, we do. Which means you have a few hours to devise a good excuse as to why you tricked my family, don't you? Good evening, Your Grace."

He released her and she climbed into the carriage without a backward glance.

Athena put Swindon completely out of her mind, concentrating instead on the job she had to do. That part of his scheming she knew was probably going to work out right, although if she could have arranged it another way, she would.

Lord Thaddeus was quiet as they rode to the gaming house and she was grateful. She had to run over the rules again in her head and concentrate on playing a part. If she had been required to perform opposite a younger man and not the amusing Lord Thaddeus, she could never have done this.

The lower rooms were as she had expected - smoky and full of people. She and Lord Thaddeus were hardly noticed as they were relieved of their cloaks and ushered into the main room. Athena saw she was not the only lady attempting to remain incognito, but as many women were also unmasked. Lady Wexford was one of those.

They found that lady in a smaller room, seated at a faro table with a few others. Athena and her escort sat down across from her and pulled out their purses.

“Lady Wexford,” Lord Thaddeus acknowledged.

“Thaddeus.” She gave him a cursory greeting before raising one eyebrow at the female by his side. “Aren’t you a trifle old for her?”

“I ain’t dead yet,” Lord Thaddeus said with a leer. Athena, thankfully, knew the older man was playing a part and she put a hand on his sleeve.

“Stake me, Thaddy?” she cooed.

He grinned in reply and gave her some of the ready to put down on the board. “Anything for you, my dear.”

Athena had drawn the line at dressing like a courtesan, so she had to rely on words and actions to give a certain impression. With a false sort of glee, she made a big deal over placing money carefully on the numbers on the table. She clapped cheerfully every time someone won or lost, even if it was the dealer, and jumped up and down with delight when she personally won.

Underneath it all, she kept an eye on Lady Wexford, who ignored her or cast her painful glances in turn. Her ladyship was not having a good evening as far as gambling was concerned, and after a while, as she fell deeper into debt, Lord Thaddeus began a winning streak.

Athena watched as he quietly bought up the countess’ vowels. She did her part by keeping the older lady distracted with her vacuous excitement and bubbleheaded comments.

By the end of the evening, Lady Wexford was beginning to win steadily, but when she tried to buy back her debts, Lord Thaddeus and his silly companion were gone. She did not worry overly much. She knew where Thaddeus lived and would pay a call on him on the morrow. Then she could pay him off and Wexford would not be the wiser.

In the carriage headed back toward the Caldwell house, Lord Thaddeus handed all of Lady Wexford’s vowels over to Athena.

“She will come see me tomorrow around 11 o’clock,” he predicted. “You go to his lordship then and I’ll detain the old hag at my rooms.” He chuckled evilly, as if he already had some idea about how he was going to accomplish that.

Athena was slightly worried about that laugh, and what it might portend, but she truly did not wish to know the facts.

Hayle and Beatrice made an appearance at Almack’s, just as Mrs. Browne had predicted. The widow, Sir Edward and Lady Middleton were settled in plain sight when they arrived, and Charlotte, Daphne, Eve and Francesca ranged about them. Her hostess and the baronet were introducing gentlemen to the girls, especially a sparkling Francesca, leaving Mrs. Browne to deal with an indignant Beatrice.

“You did not need us!” she exclaimed. Her husband patted her arm, but she would not be deterred. “We could have stayed home! Where is Athena?”

“Athena deserves the evening off. And who better to take her place than her sister? Lady Middleton and I are going to say hello to an acquaintance of mine. You’ll stay and keep your father out of the card room, won’t you?” she asked sweetly. Without waiting for a reply, she nodded to her ladyship and they quickly disappeared from view.

“How do you like that?” Beatrice groused to her husband. He was saved from a reply when his father-in-law rose and tried to slip away. “Papa!” she said sharply. “Lord Denton wishes to be introduced to the girls! Sit!”

The baronet sighed and turned back to his children.

“Playing chaperone will not be a hardship,” Hayle mildly noted. “I’ll sit here and keep an eye on your father and sisters, and you may dance as much as you wish.”

“No,” Beatrice said with a martyred air. “I shall do my duty. After all, Athena deserves time alone – or with Miles,” she added conspiratorially, “and Mrs. Browne is not their mother. Even Aunt Florence does not have the familial obligations I do towards the girls.”

“You would be better off, my dear, if you did this out of sisterly love and not a sense of duty.”

Eve watched as the young men clustered about Francesca. It stood to reason her sister would be the most popular. Charlotte was speaking intimately with Lord Adrian, oblivious to anyone else. Daphne was considered spoken for, despite Wexford’s continued absence. Eve had moved to the background. Francesca was enjoying her first assembly and her excitement was attracting a lot of male attention.

Eve had stepped back on purpose. She was on the lookout for Sir Thomas Marlowe, and she wanted to be the one to speak up when he came looking for Athena.

After Mrs. Browne and Aunt Florence left the group, she did not have long to wait. Sir Thomas approached, and before Beatrice could say anything, Eve stepped forward, hand outstretched.

"Good evening, sir. How is young Peter? Have you met the rest of the family?" She introduced everyone without waiting for a reply.

"What is wrong with her?" Charlotte whispered to Daphne.

"I think someone likes Sir Thomas," Daphne whispered back with a wink. They shared a quiet giggle, not wanting to scare Eve back into her usual reticence.

Eve, not noticing her sisters at all, was pleased with her efforts, especially when Sir Thomas asked if he might partner her in the first dance.

Beatrice had been surprised when Eve took charge, but she almost fell out of her chair when the gentleman solicited a dance. Sir Thomas Marlowe was not only extremely eligible, but he was not known to show preference to any female. It was thought he would wear the willow for his late wife forever. Hayle seemed equally surprised.

"Isn't that the well-known widower who just took our Eve off for a dance?" he asked.

"Yes, it is," Beatrice said smugly, as if she had been personally responsible for the pairing.

"She seems to be orchestrating all this on her own fairly well. But she is your sister, my darling, so I should not be too surprised."

"Are you implying that I manipulated you into marriage?" Beatrice asked, but her tone was teasing, not angry.

"Not a bit of it, love. You might have made sure we crossed paths," he teased, bringing one of her hands to his lips, not caring they were in public. "But I have never regretted it. I doubt Marlowe will, either, once your sister is finished."

"You make it sound like a project!"

"Isn't it?" Hayle said with a smirk.

Eve was floating on a cloud. The dance was a waltz and even though she was being held at a proper distance, she was still in Sir Thomas' arms.

"You are an exceptional dancer, Miss Caldwell," he said, as if he could not believe it. She politely refrained from remarking on his amazement, thanking him nicely, instead.

She searched her mind for some light-hearted conversation and finally lit on the subject of Peter and Harry, but he cut her off, albeit politely.

"If I had wished to discuss the lads, Miss Caldwell, we could have sat this dance out."

Eve tried to tell herself he was just now getting used to polite society once more, and she gave his terseness the benefit of the doubt until he spoke again.

"Won't you tell me about your eldest sister?"

Eve's usually-gentle eyes flashed with anger.

"If I had wished to discuss my sister, Sir Thomas, we could have sat this dance out."

He flushed with embarrassment. "I beg your pardon," he said stiffly, but Eve had her back up and she would not be easily mollified.

"May I ask why this interest in my sister, sir?"

"Young ladies these days are too loud and adventurous for me. My late wife was shy and retiring and such a gentle soul, much like your sister," he explained.

And me! Eve wanted to exclaim.

"I worry for the future, and should Peter..." He coughed, suddenly aware to whom he was speaking. "I wish to marry again and have more children," he added lamely.

"How admirable of you," Eve said sarcastically. "It sounds as if you want my sister to be your brood mare." She might be ruining her own chances, but this insult to her sister was greater than one to herself and all expectations must be nipped in the bud. Eve, like all her younger siblings, loved Athena like a mother, and to see her pursued by Sir Thomas for so wrong a reason was not to be borne. Not only that, but Athena must be preserved for Swindon. Now there was a man who saw her as a wife first and a mother second, if she did not miss her guess.

"When you put it like that, Miss Caldwell, it sounds so..."

"Crass? Isn't it? I thought I liked you, Sir Thomas," she said. In for a penny, in for a pound, after all, and if she did not speak up now, she might not get another chance. "I like your son, too. But we Caldwell ladies are no one's breeders. I'm not so sure letting Harry spend time in your household is a good idea, either. Some of that attitude might rub off on him. I'm feeling rather poorly right now, sir. Won't you please escort me back to my family?"

He nodded curtly and did as she bid.

Eve's nerves were strained to their limits the rest of the evening, and as soon as she came home she went in search of Athena. As soon as her sister, who did not appear to have been sleeping, opened her door, Eve burst into tears.

Chapter 10

Athena had just changed out of her evening clothes and into a plain gown, intent on speaking with the duke, when Eve knocked at her door. She didn't think she was going to get to speak to Swindon that night as her sister burst into tears.

"What is the matter, dearest?" she asked, gathering Eve into her arms and leading her over to the window seat. It was a blessing in several ways that Gabby had been placed in another bed already. Athena had done that so she could dress earlier without any questions, but now it seemed as if she could tend to Eve without any interruptions.

"I... I danced with Sir Thomas tonight," Eve sobbed. Athena handed over a handkerchief, made her sister blow her nose and then pressed it into her hands.

Athena could not help but chuckle. "I thought you liked Sir Thomas."

"I do! I don’t! He said the most insulting things!" She could still hardly believe it of the quiet widower.

"He insulted you?"

"No. He insulted you! He said…" Eve hiccuped. "He said you were just the sort of wife he was looking for: quiet, capable and able to give him more children."

"Well… I would be, I am sure, if I were interested in him," Athena said gently, and with no little confusion as to why Eve thought she had been insulted. "It’s a mite crude, perhaps, but not totally degrading."

"But he doesn’t love you! He just wants to use you!" Eve protested. "And I told him so."

"You did not!"

"I did!" Eve said proudly. "Someone had to defend your honor."

Athena hugged her. "You are a darling and I love you for defending me." There were times, after all, when a sibling came in handy. She would have to tell Swindon. Rising, she rummaged about in her bureau for a spare nightrail. "Let me help you get ready for bed," she offered. "You may sleep with me tonight."

"Oh, may I?" Eve offered herself up to her eldest sister’s ministrations and Athena helped her change clothes, brushed out her dark hair, braided it and then tucked her into bed.

"You realize that I have just ruined all my chances with Sir Thomas," Eve said with a yawn. "But it was worth it." She snuggled next to Athena, who had climbed in beside her after changing her own clothes and blowing out the candles.

"Perhaps. One never knows with gentlemen."

"I won’t hope," Eve sleepily replied. "Do I want to be his brood mare after I accused him of making you one?"

Athena opened her eyes wide. "You didn’t!"

Eve giggled. "I told you I have completely ruined my chances. But I won’t back down from what I said and I can’t worry about him now. He is not worth it."

"I don’t know about that," Athena said. "After all, there was something that attracted you in the first place."

"Perhaps I just feel sorry for him and his son. Must be it…" She drifted off to sleep. Athena, however, was awake forever wondering if it was worth worrying about another man.

She thought Eve was still sleeping the next morning as she dressed to meet with Swindon, but when Athena looked over, Eve was sitting up in bed with a wide grin upon her face.

"Dressing up for someone special?" she teased.

"In a way, yes." Athena inspected her pale blue gown with pleasure, knowing it was going to look even better when she called on Wexford later – the darker blue spencer and bonnet matched her eyes. Not that she would give Swindon the satisfaction of seeing her in them. "Are you going to walk Harry over to the Marlowes’ house this morning?"

"No, I don’t think so. I’ll ask the footman to accompany him alone."

"Good." Athena dropped a kiss on Eve’s head. "Then you shall not look eager and you will be home if he calls to apologize."

"I knew you would understand, Athena, more than anyone." She stretched out her arms and hugged her sister’s neck.

"Oh? How so?"

"You don’t put up with nonsense from His Grace, do you?"

"But… But that’s not the same at all!"

"Isn’t it?" Eve asked with wisdom beyond her years. "It’s interesting to watch ladies handle their gentlemen and still be in love with them."

"Mrs. Browne, perhaps, but I’m not…"

"Aren’t you?" Eve giggled.

Athena excused herself and ran out into the hall, Eve’s laughter echoing in her ears. Could it be true? Was she in love with Swindon? And even if she was, what about him?

She ticked off her sisters’ names on her fingers. Beatrice – married to his best friend. Charlotte – in the pocket of the man’s secretary. Daphne – betrothed and practically married now that they had leverage. Eve – head over heels for their neighbor. Francesca and Gabby – too young. That left…

Oh, no!

Storming down to the duke’s bedchamber, she rushed in without knocking, only to stop dead in her tracks when she saw Swindon and her father with their heads together. Both stared in surprise.

"I… I beg your pardon," she said in mortification. "I didn’t mean to interrupt."

"Would you come back this afternoon?" the duke asked. Sir Edward nodded happily at this request, but Athena had too much to discuss. "Please?" the duke added.

"I… I suppose I could…"

The duke made a show of looking at a clock. "Don’t you have an appointment this morning?"

She squeaked when she noticed it was later than she had previously believed. "Yes, I do."

"Until this afternoon, then, Miss Caldwell."

"Papa… Your Grace…" She curtsied and left the room. Not only had she been chased out of two rooms already that morning, but she had also been embarrassed twice. That would not do at all. She found Daphne alone at the breakfast table, desultorily buttering a scone.

"I thought we could pay a call on Wexford this morning," she said to her sister. "May I ring for a maid to bring down your bonnet and pelisse?"

"I can’t visit Wexford in this old rag!" Daphne indicated her new blue-sprigged muslin. "Besides, Wexford likes me in pink."

"Then hurry up and change. You have twenty minutes or I shall leave without you."

"Why the hurry?"

"This is a business call," she patiently explained. "However, Wexford’s business should be your business, too, so I would like you to come."

"Of course!" Daphne rose with alacrity and went quickly from the room, calling for a maid as she went. Athena rang for hot tea, asked someone to bring down her own outerwear and reticule, and settled down in a chair to eat a scone. She refused to dwell on either Swindon or Wexford at that point, in case either gave her indigestion while she ate.

"I don’t quite understand what business you have with my fiance," Daphne said a half hour later as a hackney took them to Wexford’s town house in Portman Square. It was almost 11 o’clock – perfect timing.

"I’ll explain it all on the way," Athena assured her, thinking she was going to have to ask Daphne to adopt a certain attitude once they arrived.

"Is it Mother?" The dowager countess made a point of meddling with her children and grandchildren, even those of an advanced age, such as his lordship. After dropping off Athena, he had spent the rest of the night carousing and had forgotten that Lady Wexford would most likely call that morning. "A young lady?" he enquired hopefully when the valet shook his head.

"An old gentry mort, your honor. A bit of a wrinkly prune."

"Lady Wexford," he groaned.

"That be her, your worship," the little man said happily.

"Well, don’t just stand there! Send her in!"

"But Guv! Receiving ladies in your smalls? It ain’t done, not even by you!"

"I owe this to my nevvy, monkey! Show the old girl in."

"Right-o! You can come in, my lady," he added, throwing open the door and beckoning to Lady Wexford.

"I cannot go in there!" Thaddeus heard her exclaim, and he chuckled.

"Get in here, woman! I won’t bite." Not her anyway. Now, that toothsome chit of Swindon’s… Well, no – he didn’t want Swindon to darken his daylights.

"It’s not your bite I am worried about," Lady Wexford said tartly as she appeared in the doorway. She glanced warily about, in case he had his fancy piece with him.

"You should be, you old bat," he grumbled.

"What did you say, you middle-aged lecher?"

"I called you an old bat, you ancient crone. You need to be nice to me, though." He had forgotten his original plan of how he was to keep her away from her son and Miss Caldwell, but alternately insulting and taunting her would work just as well.

Lady Wexford paused.

"You know why," he teased. "Been playing a bit too deep?" he wondered.

"That is none of your business," she stiffly replied. "Just give me my debts and I’ll be on my way."

"Not so fast. How do I know you’ve brought the blunt?"

Lady Wexford pulled herself up like an indignant hen. "Are you questioning my honor, Thaddeus?"

"Actually… yes. You ain’t exactly known for keeping your word, Regina."

She flushed, but she stood her ground. "I dare you to name a time when I have not."

"When you told your late husband about us at the Rivermont house party comes to mind…" He sat up straighter among his pillows, allowing the sheets to barely cover his body, and enjoying himself immensely.

"He accused me of infidelity! What else could I do?"

"You promised you wouldn’t tell. I damned near got run through for giving you a harmless little kiss and I lost my best friend before it was all over and done. You could have lied and saved us both, Regina."

"So that’s it? The only time I went back on my word?"

"It ain’t me I’m worried about. Wexford and I made our peace before he died. It’s his son who has been wronged this time."

"James?"

"Poor fellow is betrothed to one of the prettiest little chits in Christendom and you’ve given your blessing on the union. Now you keep him from her."

"Wexford knows he may marry whenever he wishes. If he wishes," she added with a sly look.

"Here now, you ain’t going to pull the bung hole on his nuptials, are you? It ain’t done, Regina!"

"My son listens to his mother. If I tell him to break it off with Miss Daphne Caldwell, he will."

"Fairly sure of him, are you? What if he finds out about your debts? What if the Caldwells sue for breach of contract?"

Lady Wexford snorted. "He is not going to find out about my debts and I’d like to see that family of nitwits organize itself into enough semblance of order to even attempt a suit. The father is inept and his eldest daughter is totally ineffectual."

Thaddeus chuckled. "You’ve been so busy gambling away your allowance, Regina, you haven’t even heard the latest on-dits."

"Oh?" She came into the room and sat on a bedside chair. "What do you know, you old goat?"

"It’s gonna cost you, crone."

"How much?"

"One kiss."

"What?" She shrieked and rose from the chair. "I don’t have to take this from you!"

"I think you do…"

"All right," she said. "One kiss and then you fill me in on the news." She leaned over and pecked him on the cheek.

"Not good enough," he said innocently, and when she bent down to kiss his lips, he grabbed her and pulled her across his lap. Then he kissed her properly, leaving her to spit and sputter afterwards, sprawled on the bed on top of him.

"I’ll thank you to help me up, sir," she said frostily when she had finished calling him every vile word she could imagine.

"No. Now, listen up, Regina, because I ain’t going to repeat myself. Sir Edward Caldwell is practically betrothed to Patience Browne."

"Browne?" Lady Wexford turned pale. Everyone knew Mrs. Browne, and she was received everywhere.

"Lady Hayle is not without influence, either, and she’s a Caldwell…" He was threatening her with social ruin and they both knew it. "And…" he drawled, "if Swindon don’t catch Miss Caldwell by the end of the season, I’ll eat my best opera hat."

"Swindon?"

"So you see how it is, Regina. The Caldwells could add the advantage of the Wexford title to their prominence, but they don’t need it. Miss Daphne is a diamond of the first water with scores of bucks just waiting for Wexford to drop his suit. It wouldn’t ruin her chances for a second, despite the gossip. But it will make Wexford an undesirable and he’ll die without an heir and with a mama who put him in dun territory within a few years of the scandal."

"You should have been committed years ago!" she hissed, scrambling off him and straightening out her walking dress of mulberry silk.

Thaddeus cackled. "Now, about those vowels of yours, my lady."

"Yes?" she asked eagerly, wishing to conclude their business as quickly as possible.

"I don’t have ‘em."

"You what?" she screeched. "Where are they?"

"I sent them over to Miss Caldwell this morning," he blithely fibbed. "I imagine she is presenting them to your son by now. I thought I’d make an early wedding gift of them to her and Miss Daphne…" At least that part was true.

Lady Wexford began beating him with her reticule, reprising most of the names she had called him earlier, and did not stop until the valet ran in and pulled her off his master.

Chapter 11

"Now, remember, Daphne," Athena admonished as they were shown into a drawing room at the Wexford residence. "You are not happy with your betrothed because he has not been to see you. I do not want you to dissolve into tears and throw yourself into his arms the moment you see him. This is one time in your life, dear, you need to keep a very stiff upper lip." The door opened and Wexford walked in.

"Daphne!" he cried and came forward with his hands outstretched. Daphne glared and turned her back on him, her lips quivering.

Athena nodded to him curtly. "We've come on business, my lord."

Taken aback, the earl sighed and indicated they should all sit. "I've taken the liberty of ordering refreshments."

"Thank you." Athena patted Daphne's arm, but she pulled away and took a chair near the window, looking anywhere but at Wexford. Athena supposed it was for the best, for now. Despite the seriousness of the call, there was no way she was leaving until these two had a few moments alone to kiss, make up and set a wedding date. But first things first.

She watched Wexford as servants came in almost immediately with cakes and glasses of lemonade. He kept darting longing glances at Daphne. Athena had been perturbed by the handsome, blonde young man's recent attitude toward her sister, but was encouraged when he paid more attention to watching her sister than he did her.

"If it is about not visiting your sister, Miss Caldwell, I can explain..."

"You may do that in a moment," she crisply replied. "But not to me." She looked at Daphne, whose spine stiffened at her sister's words. Athena willed her to keep that stance just a while longer as she rummaged in her reticule and produced the packet of vowels.

"I've come to show you something, my lord." She handed over one of the slips of paper, but felt no satisfaction as his eyes widened. Her own parent was not known for avoiding embarrassment in his children and she could sympathize with his reaction.

"How many do you have?" he croaked.

"Enough."

"How much do I owe you?"

"Nothing. These are not for sale. They are merely insurance against the future. I'm going to say something now, Wexford, that I hope you never hear again." She leaned forward. "My sister does not deserve a spineless mama's boy who allows himself to be kept on leading strings to the point where he acts as if his betrothal never happened."

He started to speak, but she held up a hand.

"What Daphne needs is a man who will put her and her children first. I intend to see that she gets that, and if it won't be you, it will be someone else. Do I make myself clear?" He nodded. "Good. That is why you may have a third of these." She handed over a few more papers. "You may do with them what you wish. A third of these belong to Daphne and I shall keep the others. For now."

She thought, perhaps, if someone would have her - a special someone even now faking an injury at her aunt's house - she would give her stack to him. He was so capable of handling all her other problems, after all. But she wasn’t going to have him keep them for her until she had it out with him. She had no intention of starting a new life with Swindon until everything was out on the table between them. And she needed to give Wexford and Daphne time to do the same.

"I think you know what you have to do now, my lord." She rose, and Wexford politely followed suit. But before she gave them a few private moments, she walked over to her sister and pressed a portion of the vowels into Daphne's hands.

"There's a kind, handsome man over there, dearest, who wishes to speak to you now. I think you should go to him."

Daphne began to cry, and was out of her chair and in Wexford's arms before Athena could filch a tea cake and quit the room. But the older sister wore a smile as she found a seat in the hall.

"I think they will be too involved with each other to think of anything as mundane as a cup of tea. Could you oblige me, please?" she asked the footman on duty outside the door. Daphne's sudden wailing was just as suddenly cut off without a sound, and the lady and the servant exchanged amused grins.

"Yes, Miss. Right away."

If Athena had not already had enough of gambling, she might have wagered with herself over who would appear first - the footman and her tea, the reuniting couple or Lady Wexford. Fortunately, the tea came before Lady Wexford stormed in through the front door.

"Where is she?" the countess shouted.

Athena waved merrily from her post by the drawing room door. "Lovely day, isn't it?" she called back.

"You!" Lady Wexford descended on her. "I can't believe what you have done!"

Athena paled. Surely Lady Wexford did not recognize her from the gaming hell? The countess' next words, however, put her mind to rest on that subject.

"I cannot believe you gave my son all of my gaming debts! More fool you! I'll only get them all back from him, you know," she said with a not-so-very-nice smile.

"You could, if he had them all," Athena replied in a saccharine voice. "I'm not so foolish as all that. My sister holds a third of them and I own another third. I think Wexford is the perfect husband for my sister, but he is going to need some incentive, isn't he, not to slip back into the role of being your dogsbody." Her eyes twinkled with mirth, as if this were hilarious. "My sister and your son will be very happy together, I'm sure, once they are allowed to live their own lives."

"He'll never set a wedding date, you know," Lady Wexford sneered. "I'll see to that!"

"My sister has strict instructions not to leave that drawing room until they have agreed on a date, so either way, they are getting married soon. On the date they set or the one my Papa decides upon once I tell him his daughter spent more than fifteen minutes alone with Wexford."

Lady Wexford blanched, recalling Thaddeus' gossip concerning Sir Edward and Mrs. Browne.

"Precisely," Athena said, watching the color drain from her ladyship's face. "Could you get the countess some tea?" she asked the helpful young footman, who had been hovering nearby. Footsteps were heard down the hall, as if the entire household had been listening in.

"Make it a brandy," Lady Wexford said weakly, placing herself in a chair across from Athena.

"If it is any consolation, my lady, Mrs. Browne has offered to assist with the preparations. She says your dining room is large enough for a proper wedding breakfast."

The countess thought of working with that lady and gave Athena a sour smile. She knew when she had been beaten. "That would be lovely."

A half hour later, a flushed and smiling couple emerged from the drawing room. By then, Athena had encouraged Lady Wexford to polish off the brandy, even going as far as to take a little splash of it in her own tea.

"Daphne and I are to be married at the end of the month, Mother."

"Yes, yes," she giddily replied. "Mrs. Browne will have breakfast here..."

Wexford looked to Athena for explanation, but she shrugged and pointed innocently at the decanter sitting next to the countess on a console table.

"Is she... foxed?" Daphne whispered.

"She has been celebrating your upcoming wedding in advance, I think." Athena rose. "I would take care that she doesn't replace faro with brandy, my lord. Will you bring her to dine with us on Saturday? I am sure I shall you see you sooner." She smiled at the fatuous grins the couple exchanged and took Daphne's arm. "We shall look forward to your visit."

As they reached the front door, Lord Wexford escorting them, Lord Thaddeus came up the walk, dressed to perfection and carrying a large bouquet.

“Is the countess at home?” he asked the earl with a hopeful expression.

“Yes, she is. Won’t you come with me, Lord Thaddeus?” Wexford replied without batting an eyelid.

“Thank you, Thaddy,” Athena cooed in the older man’s ear in passing. The two exchanged winks and continued on their way – he to call on Lady Wexford and she to go home to face a few more people.

Lady Wexford was still seated in the chair when her son escorted Lord Thaddeus into the hall.

“Oh, it’s you.” Her bleary eyes looked him up and down. “You clean up rather nicely.”

“I say, Regina. Are you foxed?”

“Don’t be silly, Thaddeus. I was just havin’ a little…” She hiccuped and giggled. “…Celebratory drink with Miss Caldwell.” She looked about owlishly. “Where did she go?”

Thaddeus chuckled lightly and thrust his flowers into the footman’s arms. “Do something with these, my good man. I was going to ask you to go for a drive, Regina, but I don’t think you are well enough. Liable to fall right out of my phaeton,” he mused to no one in particular. “What?” he exclaimed as Wexford, the countess and the footman all stared at him with their mouths open.

The footman recovered first, mindful of his position, and scurried off to do as the older man had instructed.

“You’ve come to visit Mama?” Wexford asked.

“Ain’t you never seen a gentleman call on your mother before?” When Wexford shook his head, Thaddeus laughed. “Well, don’t just stand there, lad! Let’s get your Mama into the parlor. And then you can go off to call on the Caldwell chit. That’s what you want, isn’t it, boy? You can leave me here to entertain Regina.” They half walked, half carried the tipsy countess into a room and laid her out on the sofa.

“There you go,” Thaddeus said tenderly. “I’ll be here when you return,” he told the earl. “I’m inviting myself to dinner, you know.”

Lady Wexford groaned. “You are not staying for dinner. Besides, you aren’t dressed for it.”

“We can dine in here. Or upstairs,” he added suggestively, “if your cub gets asked to dine with his lady love.”

“Thaddeus!” Lady Wexford giggled. “Not in front of James!”

“Awww, lad ain’t that green, is he?” He looked at Wexford. “Or maybe he is. I tell you what, Wex… I know a place where they’ll make a man of you overnight…”

“Out!” Lady Wexford sat up and pointed toward the hall. “I want you… out.” Her hand wavered and then dropped to her side. Wexford obediently headed for the door.

“It’s a sad day for mankind,” Thaddeus said, shaking his head, “when a man of twenty-five follows his mother’s orders and needs a few facts explained to him.”

Wexford stopped in his tracks and turned.

“I don’t need anything explained, sir,” he said softly. “But I thank you for the offer. I’m sure my mother will sleep easier tonight knowing I won’t be out on the town furthering my education. However, in the future, I would thank you not to speak of such things in front of her.”

Lady Wexford beamed at her son.

“I would thank you, though, for offering to keep Mama company. But the truth is, she needs to learn to entertain herself. I won’t always be available to attend her every whim, and if you are offering yourself as a replacement, I suggest, sir, that you run now, whilst you can.”

“James!” his mother exclaimed, and then flopped back down against the side of the sofa.

“It’s true.” He walked over, bent down and kissed her cheek. “You need a hobby that does not include strong drink or cards. Why don’t you try learning to knit? Or better yet, take up the pianoforte again?”

“But… but…”

“Good day to you, Lord Thaddeus. If I am invited to dine with the Caldwells, I shall send word. In the meantime, try not to corrupt my mother more than necessary, will you? She’s quite prone to vice, you know.”

Thaddeus laughed with delight. “Yes, sir! I’ll do my best.” He shot Lady Wexford a wicked grin. “But I make no promises, either way.”

“Thaddeus! James! Come back!” the countess called to her son’s retreating figure. “Don’t leave me alone with this devil!”

Wexford waved, but kept going.

“Well!” Thaddeus said when the younger man was gone. “The pup has teeth! Glad to see it, glad to see it.”

“I’m not! Knitting, indeed…” She yawned. “I have better things to do with my time.”

“Not at the moment.” He pulled a throw off a nearby chair and draped it over her. “You need to sleep off the rest of that brandy.”

She nodded and closed her eyes, but she did not drift off right away. “Thaddy?”

“Hmm?” He had settled in the chair and propped his Hessians on the table in front of him.

“Will you be here when I wake up?”

“Do you wish me to be?”

“Yes.”

“Then I will. Can I stay for dinner?”

“Yes.”

“Upstairs?”

“No.”

He sighed and picked up a newspaper to read. There would be time to work on wearing her down later, after she woke up.

Chapter 12

The Caldwells received the news of Daphne's imminent wedding with much rejoicing. Athena, feeling rather proud of herself, sat back and happily watched her sister be the center of attention. Aunt Florence sent a quick note off to Beatrice and Hayle, inviting them to a celebratory dinner, and Fran and Gabby began to plan their bridesmaids’ gowns.

"I'm not sure what you did to bring this about, Athena," Mrs. Browne said softly as she sat down at her side. "And perhaps I don't want to know. But whatever it was, you did a good thing."

"How do you know it was me?"

"Who else? I've known all along who makes things happen in this family. Oh, I like your father very much and we are going to be very happy together in the near future, but I know he is not the sort to put events in motion. I didn't get my late husband ahead in his career by not knowing who was doing all the work. You are a credit to this family, my dear, and one day soon I shall be proud to call you daughter. As well as 'Your Grace,' perhaps?" she added with a wink.

Athena, not daring to comment on the second remark, could see now why Mr. Browne had been a force to be reckoned with in the political world - his wife didn't miss a trick. "I have thought recently that you would make an excellent baronet's lady and mother to this circus. Now I know you will," she said with a smile.

"Why do you think I counseled your father on letting us all stay in London? Everyone needed to be here. Oh, there are a few things to be ironed out yet..."

The butler announced that Sir Thomas Marlowe had called and awaited Miss Caldwell and Miss Eve in the little parlor.

"I knew something was not quite right with Eve and Sir Thomas last night," the widowed murmured. "But I think between the two of you, you will get it all set to rights. Let me know if I can help."

Athena nodded and went with Eve to the smaller parlor down the hall, where Sir Thomas was pacing up and down in front of an unlit hearth. Athena pulled her shawl about herself and curtsied to their visitor. Eve nodded and sat on the sofa with an injured air.

"I won't give in easily," she whispered and Athena flashed her an encouraging smile.

"You wished to see us, Sir Thomas?" Athena asked when it seemed Eve was not going to speak directly to the baronet.

"Er, yes. I suppose Miss Eve has told you what I foolishly implied during our conversation last night?"

Athena nodded and Eve gave an unladylike snort. Like Daphne, she would not look at the gentleman. Unlike her sister, she was not the type to fling herself into his arms. At least, Athena hoped not. They weren't betrothed like Daphne and Wexford, and she was not even sure Eve was up to pursuing this interest anymore.

And there was another consideration here - one of age. Eve was eighteen and Sir Thomas was thirty-five, if he was a day. It was not uncommon for couples to have such a gap in ages, and Eve had always been mature for hers... Athena would have to ask Mrs. Browne's opinion on this one, just in case.

"I hope you will accept my apology for mentioning such things, Miss Caldwell. I should never have said anything at all."

Eve snorted again, as if in agreement, and Athena gave her a nudge with her elbow. Even if her sister was upset, she should still be civil.

"I am not truly offended, sir," Athena admitted. "But while I am flattered by your interest, I must tell you that my heart belongs elsewhere."

Eve looked up then, her face wreathed with smiles. "Athena! It's the duke, isn't it? Of course it is! He's perfect for you! Oh, wait till I tell everyone else!"

"Calm down, dearest," Athena said with a laugh. She could not deny the joy she felt in making such a confession. "I shall tell everyone in my own time and my own way. After I speak with - oh, no!" She stood up and stared at her sister in horror. "I was supposed to see him when I..." She sat back down. "I shall sit here while you apologize to my sister," she told Sir Thomas rather primly. "And then I shall attend the duke."

If Sir Thomas felt any pain at her admission of loving another, he gave no outward sign and she could only hope he had not yet fully committed himself.

"I wish you happy, Miss Caldwell," he said politely. "And I applaud you on your decision to remain here for the moment. If His Grace is eager for your presence, your prolonged absence can only add to his ardor."

Athena blushed and Eve cleared her throat.

"Ah, yes," Sir Thomas continued hastily. "My apology. First, may I say that I am not accustomed to being questioned or contradicted. Even after I married, my late wife agreed with everything I said or decided. To find myself chastised on the dance floor at the assembly was, I'll admit, a novelty. I reacted rather rudely and rashly, Miss Eve, and I am sorry for my words."

"I'm glad to hear it." Eve rose and held out a hand to their guest. "Apology accepted. Good day, sir."

"But... but..."

"There was more?" she asked archly.

"I... er... I am no good at this," he admitted. "I wished to ask if you would allow me to call tomorrow." He was looking at Eve when he spoke, so there could be no doubt as to whom he intended to visit.

"How nice of you to wish to bring Peter over to visit Harry."

He hesitated. "That is not exactly what I had in mind."

"Oh. Then you wish to take them on an outing and you will call here for Harry?" Eve asked innocently. Sir Thomas seemed to give up at that point because he sighed and mumbled something about cheeky mice.

Eve gave him a sweet smile and offered to see him to the door. Athena waited until they were down the hall before she gave in to her laughter. Evidently her little sister had decided confusion was the best state in which to keep Sir Thomas for a while.

"Where the devil have you been?" the duke demanded when Athena was admitted later to his room.

"I have been out doing great and important things," she loftily replied. "So stop acting like an infant."

"I didn't think you were coming back to see me," he said peevishly.

"As you reminded me earlier," she waspishly replied, "I had work to do."

"I know. I'm behaving beastly, aren't I? But confound it, Athena, I need to know what is going on!"

"You would know everything without my retelling if you would quit pretending your ankle was keeping you in bed. You still need to tell me why you are doing it."

"Did you like your first taste of a gaming hell?"

"So much so, it will probably be my last visit, as well," she said dryly. She could see she was not going to get a straight answer to her question. "Your uncle had a much better time of it, but I believe he enjoys baiting Lady Wexford. When he is not bringing her flowers, of course."

The duke sat up straighter and stared at her in disbelief. Athena was pleased to get back a little of her own.

"Flowers? That's rich! He despises her!"

"I wouldn't be too sure of that, but as I was leaving Wexford's just as he arrived, he could have dipped the thorns in poison for all I know."

"So you had enough to go to Wexford. I knew you would. Uncle Thaddy knows his faro. But you did not come to see me last night."

"I was waylaid by a distraught sister. Eve and Sir Thomas Marlowe disagreed on whether or not I make a good brood mare, and she was worried afterwards that she had ruined her chances with him." Athena was still standing, and at some distance, and he motioned for her to come closer. She moved to the side of the bed, but stayed just out of his reach.

"And has she?"

"Not a bit. He just called to apologize, she led him a merry dance and now she has him wriggling like a lure on a hook."

The duke crowed with laughter. "You Caldwell women are bloody amazing! Miss Eve sounds as if she is taking after her eldest sister."

"I don't leave men dangling, Your Grace," she stiffly replied.

"Dash it all if you don't!" he exclaimed. "And speaking of sisters, how did it go with Miss Daphne and Wexford?"

"I gave Daphne the information she needed to know before we went there and she played the injured party to the hilt..."

"As well she should have."

"And after I gave her beloved a piece of my mind, I split the vowels three ways and then left them alone to kiss and make up. They are to be married before the end of the month."

"Excellent. Clever of you to break up the debts that way, as well."

"Thank you. And now, Your Grace, I wish to know why you persist in perpetuating this charade." She looked down at where she supposed his ankles lay whole and healthy under the coverlet.

"I shall tell you soon enough. In the meantime..." He climbed out of bed fully dressed and she stepped back, rolling her eyes.

"Do you ever quit acting?"

"I'll let you know when I am serious." He called for his valet, who stood just outside the open door. "Miss Caldwell wishes me to join her family now, Dormer. Will you bring me that cane?" He winked at Athena, who was fuming silently. "Won't everyone be pleased to see that I have graduated to a cane? And won't they be sorry to see me go home? Won't you be sorry to see me leave?"

Athena was not above telling an untruth, but only because he refused to take her seriously.

"No," she lied. "I shall be very glad to see the back of you."

"I can arrange that," he replied, waggling his eyebrows at her.

Athena blushed, realizing in hindsight that her words could be construed in more than one way. "That's n-n-not what I meant..." she stammered. "And you know it!"

"A gentleman can dream, can't he?" Taking the cane, he offered his free arm. "Come now, Athena. Don't be angry with me in private. We've the game to play just a wee bit longer, and then we'll have that serious talk."

"But I wish to talk now!"

He put his cane in the other hand and placed a finger on her lips. "Your wishes have been duly noted, my darling. And with a bit more patience on your part, everything will work in your favor." He started limping toward the door, taking her with him.

“Your darling?” It was the only word she heard and it stopped her cold. She had been longing to hear something of this sort, but he seemed so matter-of-fact, as if her love was a given. “You aren’t serious.”

“I’m being completely serious now – and aren’t you?” He started walking again.

“I had hoped for a little more declaration than that,” she said, not allowing herself to move. And a little more… devotion?

“Well, you shan’t get it. Not until there is time for hearts and flowers and all the other rigmarole that goes into a real courtship. But I can promise you this: There will be time for us, sweetheart. Just not yet.” He gave her arm a tug and she found herself out of the room and at the end of the hall before she could find her tongue.

"You seem so sure of yourself," she complained as they went slowly down the stairs. She was speaking of his confidence, not his stair-taking abilities.

"No. I am sure of us. However, we have the rest of your family to settle first. We can't run off and leave them in the lurch, can we, love?

Athena, wary of his promises and endearments, was amused in spite of herself. "You would run away with me afterwards, then?" she teased.

"Miss Caldwell! You're talking scandal! No, when we are ready, this is all going to be done right and tight, in a church in front of hundreds. I don't care for such chaos myself, but a duke has to do his duty... But you make me get ahead of myself and that's all the proposal you shall get for the moment."

"I suppose I shall have to take any crumb offered," Athena said with a frown. She smoothed out the front of her gown and completely missed the tender expression on his face.

"Good. Now, keep that Friday face and pretend you are vexed with me because I continue to be a nuisance."

"I am still somewhat vexed and you are a nuisance," she declared. They stopped just outside the parlor door. "Miles?"

"Yes, dearest?"

"Why do we have to put up a front again?"

"Do you think Miss Charlotte and Lord Adrian will see as much of each other if they are not in the same household? Woodley really does work, you know, and would be too busy to call if I were not here."

Athena could only agree with that.

"And Miss Eve might not be so bold with poor Sir Thomas if you were not here for support."

"True."

"Do you think your father would offer for Mrs. Browne if we were not about, planting such ideas in his head?"

Athena laughed. "I think Mrs. Browne is doing an admirable job in that department already, but a little push cannot hurt."

"Precisely. Besides, you and I work more effectively as a pair. Now scowl at me, darling, while we enter center stage."

"But I don't understand why we must continue this animosity when we both..."

There was no time to finish, because he had opened the door with his cane and began to call greetings to her family. She doubted she would get a good answer anyway. He was being particularly enigmatic and she wished to know why. No one in this household could possibly object to a union between them. With a frown that was not acting at all, she glared at him and flounced off to sit with her aunt.

Chapter 13

Athena was now bound and determined to get that declaration, especially since Swindon seemed equally determined to avoid any talk of that sort. She toyed briefly with the idea of seducing him and forcing his hand that way. After all, he was still under the same roof… But in the end she couldn’t do it, if only to avoid rejection. If he truly wanted her, wouldn’t he have already done something about it?

The next day she tried always being in his room, bringing him his meals, fluffing his pillows and sitting in a corner reading a book and sketching his face. She occasionally asked if he needed anything. He spent the entire day either ignoring her to deal with a suddenly heavy load of work with his secretary, or airily informing her that he wanted for nothing.

In the meantime, Gabby decided she would sleep with Charlotte, and Eve happily moved in with Athena. Both Eve and Daphne seemed in awe of her for some reason, and Athena asked her sister about it that night as they were climbing into bed.

"We’ve always known who runs everything at home," Eve explained, "but you handled it all from behind the scenes. Here, we get to watch you settle everyone’s business and we are quite amazed. Daphne told me what you said to Wexford."

"Was she terribly upset about it?"

"Oh, no! She thinks you are Athena incarnate! We could never be half as clever or as wise as you."

"You are off to a good start with Sir Thomas," Athena complimented her. The baronet had called that day with his son, and Harry had chattered afterward about nothing but the games they had played in the parlor before tea. "Are you still seriously interested?"

"Perhaps," Eve said with an enigmatic little smile. "It was fun today, and I do like spending time with the boys. But what about your day with His Grace?" she teased. "We hardly saw you all day. Has he declared himself yet?"

Athena shrugged, blew out the candles and snuggled down into the warm of the bed.

"We hardly spoke. He was much too busy to pay me any attention and if I hear the words ‘charitable contribution’ one more time, I shall scream. Tomorrow I am going to stay out of his way."

"He won’t like that," Eve warned. Attention or not, Eve knew her sister’s feelings and she had seen the duke watch Athena’s every move.

"That is unfortunate. I won’t be at his beck and call! He’s playing a deep game that I don’t wish to be a part of." She knew, however, that it was too late. She had already played several roles in his little dramas and would, no doubt, do so again. All she wanted was to be the main act in his private play. It seemed she was doomed for the moment to be a supporting actress.

"That might work," Eve said in a dubious tone. "And if we hear him squawking for you, we will know it did."

Athena laughed along with her sister and they bid each other good night.

Athena’s plans all seemed destined to fail. If she sat with the duke, he ignored her. If she ignored him, he bellowed her name until she came running, only to neglect her once again. On the fourth day, after watching Charlotte help Lord Adrian with his bookkeeping, seeing Daphne and Wexford living in each others’ pockets and having Eve and Harry abandon her for tea with the Marlowes, she determined that she, Mrs. Browne, Francesca and Gabrielle would spend the day together.

"I don’t want to do anything with Mrs. Browne," Gabby insisted when Athena suggested they all go to the modiste to order their gowns for the wedding.

"I hate to remind you of your manners, Gabby, dear, but you must be civil to her. And truly, she is a very nice lady. Come on… I shall help you and we will leave Mrs. Browne to Francesca." That would not be a problem. Fran adored the widow and would most happily, when the time came, be as close as any blood relation to the lady. With just the right provocation, Athena was sure Gabby could find something about Mrs. Browne she could like.

"If you are a widow, Mrs. Browne," Francesca wondered as they rode to Bond Street, "how is it you do not have any children?"

Mrs. Browne lifted one eyebrow at this pertinent question and looked from Athena to Gabby, as if she should even speak of such things in front of one so young. Athena gave her leave. Gabby was no stranger to such facts of life, not after living with several frank-speaking sisters (Beatrice, Charlotte and Francesca, to be exact.) And she had raised any number of litters of her own cats and dogs.

"It was not for a lack of trying, I assure you," Mrs. Browne finally replied. "You’ve seen the miniatures I keep of Mr. Browne, Francesca. Did you think it would be otherwise?"

"He was very handsome," Fran told her sisters. Gabby sniffed, but she did not turn away.

"I also lost a couple of babes before they could be born," the widow said quietly.

"Oh…" Gabby said with a little sob. "How sad."

"Yes, it was. Everett and I had so hoped to have at least one child, but it was not to be."

"You must have been very alone when you came to the cottage," Gabby said.

"At first, yes. But I had been recommended to take it from someone who knew there were plenty of people about to keep me from being isolated too long."

"Who encouraged you to take our cottage?" Athena wondered. She had never heard this story before.

"Lord Hayle, actually. He had sent a letter of sympathy, having known my husband, and must have heard that I had no place to go."

"You are penniless?" Fran asked.

"Oh, no! Mr. Browne left me in funds, to be sure, but we had always let our house in London and I did not wish to renew the lease. I could have gone to live with a relative on either side of the family. I had several offers, but I did not wish to be an object of pity or be forced into servitude to anyone."

"So you moved to Sussex," Fran said happily.

"I did. Hayle had given me the name of your father’s estate manager and we quickly agreed upon terms." She laughed. "And you know the rest."

The carriage pulled up in front of the dressmaker’s shop. A footman opened the door and helped out Mrs. Browne, but when Athena moved to follow, Gabby jumped out and took Mrs. Browne’s hand.

"I’m sorry you do not have any children of your own, ma’am. If you’d like, I could help fill in. I think Fran would like that, as well."

Athena, right behind them, had tears in her eyes. Fran sniffled in her ear and went to take Mrs. Browne’s other hand. "Of course we will!" the girl said jovially. "What color gowns should we have…"

Mrs. Browne did not shed a tear as she went hand in hand with the two girls into the shop, but her eyes were unnaturally bright.

It did not take long for them all to agree on varying shades of blue, with swatches of different hues for Aunt Florence, Beatrice, Charlotte and Eve to fill in the spectrum, but the girls were reluctant to leave. They wandered about discussing a new wardrobe for Francesca and a few new gowns for Gabrielle.

"This is famous!" Fran exclaimed at one point, fingering a bolt of brown velvet. "I could have a habit made from this! With gold frogging and a shoulder braid. Swindon told me I would look smashing in a military cut."

"When did he tell you that?" Athena wondered. He who had barely said three words to her in as many days.

"This morning, when someone else refused to take up his breakfast tray."

A tall, proud-looking woman with white hair, dressed in black, came around the corner, examining the laces and fancy trims on display.

"I could not help but overhear…" she began, looking the young ladies up and down with a decided wrinkle to her nose. She then caught sight of the widow.

"My dear Mrs. Browne! I had no idea you were back in town. You’ve been in Sussex, I believe." Ignoring the girls, she led Mrs. Browne off a ways.

"You know where Swindon is?" she demanded when they were out of earshot.

"Yes, my lady. How is it you do not?"

"No one tells me anything," she replied with a frown. "Else I should already gave called on him. All I have heard is that he has been injured and fell into a house of females. I do not have time to check every bordello in town to find him!"

Mrs. Browne chuckled, not surprised in the slightest that the dowager had somehow received a wrong version of the tale. No doubt Swindon’s last petit amour had enjoyed spreading such a story. The widow, however, had no intention of enlightening the lady. If the dowager could not keep track of her own grandson, who was she to steer her right? Besides, Swindon would be found when he was good and ready.

"Would you like to meet…" She indicated the Caldwell ladies.

The dowager looked down her nose at them, convinced now that the girls were her grandson’s keepers, and wondered how Mrs. Browne had become entangled with such low-class strumpets. She knew now where to get the information she sought.

"No, no, no time for that now," she exclaimed. "I have a call to make that is long overdue. Good day, madam." She left in a blur of black, leaving the widow to give an explanation to the girls. No need to tell them yet, though, who the old martinet was.

"A confused, elderly friend of mine," she said vaguely when she returned to their side. It was the best she could do until she could warn the duke that his grandmother was abroad. She did not have long to wait. They all returned to the waiting carriage to find His Grace seated casually in it, his cane at his side.

"What are you doing here?" Athena exclaimed. Couldn’t she have some time away from this aggravating man?

"I’m come to escort you home," he said, as if he had just been down the street at his tailor for the duration of their shopping expedition. "Did you ladies have a good time?"

"Very much so!" Fran said. "I even found some velvet for a habit. We shall all be dressed in blue for the wedding, and Gabby and I are to get some new gowns." She turned to Mrs. Browne and began talking about their clothes, giving the duke a chance to lean across to Athena and smile.

"I missed you. You were gone too long."

"You did no such thing, and I was no such thing." She turned away to pout. This was not going at all the way she had planned it.

"I have news for you, Your Grace," Mrs. Browne said softly when Francesca had taken her conversation back to Gabby. "Your grandmother was in the shop today and she asked me where to find you."

The duke paled. "Grandmother? Did you introduce her, then, to the ladies?"

Mrs. Browne shook her head. "I fear there is worse. She has heard you are staying in a…" She looked at the girls, but Athena was huddled silently in a corner and the other two were still chattering together. "A house of ill repute, Your Grace. She refused to be introduced to the Caldwells."

"Oh, dear. Her next step will be to corner Thaddy and I know she will be on the Caldwell doorstep almost immediately afterwards."

"When she gets there, she will see there is no cause for alarm, that the girls are well chaperoned and not at all what she thinks them to be."

"No cause for alarm," he echoed uncertainly. There was always cause for alarm when his grandmother was about, and this sort of confrontation was someting he had been trying to avoid all along. He did not want Athena subjected to the old lady until he was ready.

Chapter 14

"Get up, Thaddeus!" the dowager barked in her son’s ear. It had taken her all of about twenty minutes to get from the modiste’s to her son’s rooms.

"Wha?" He had gone to White’s the evening before after an agreeable dinner with Regina, and had broached about four bottles of port. Or had it been five?

"Drunken wastrel!" she said with a snort. "At least there isn’t a woman in here."

"Bloody well could be," he mumbled insolently. Climbing out of bed in scant clothing, he hoped to shock his parent, but she was immune to his antics.

"Get dressed – I want to speak to you about your nephew."

"Which one? Percy? Sylvester?"

"Miles, you idiot!" She whacked him in the head with her reticule. "Where is he?"

"Dashed if I know. Where do you think he is?" He was grinning now as he nonchalantly reached for his dressing gown, his valet hovering like a mother hen in the background. He knew what was being said of Swindon’s accommodations, and he found it amusing. Ever loyal, Swindon’s servants were completely mum on the subject, and he wondered what Dormer had said to the Caldwells, because nothing seemed to have leaked there, either. Except for the wild tales being spread by Angelique and her newest lover, Miles might as well been in the Hebrides for all anyone knew.

He doubted anyone would be called out for the rumors. His nevvy seemed to be rather pleased to have gotten rid of the beauteous Angelique, and he knew why. The even lovelier Miss Caldwell.

Miss Caldwell! That’s why Miles was in hiding! If the dowager got a hold of the girl without a warning… Besting Regina was one thing, but he doubted Miss Caldwell would come out on top with his mother.

"I’m waiting, Thaddeus," the dowager countess called from the front room, where she had gone when it looked as if her son truly meant to get dressed. "And you’re dragging your heels while Swindon is in a bawdy house of some sort!"

"Coming, Mother!" He took his time, however. The dowager was a stickler for the proprieties, and that included proper clothing. Besides, the extra attention lavished on him by his manservant gave him time to think. He was going to have to throw her off the scent, obviously, but she was going to discover the ruse eventually. Then she would be crabbed. Well, he could take her wrath. It was for Miles, after all.

"I think you heard wrong, Mama. I don’t believe Miles is in a brothel. He is most likely at Hayle’s. You know what great friends they are." The dowager did not like Lady Hayle and so was not likely to make a direct call. And if she accosted Hayle himself, which she was perfect capable of doing, the man would know in a thrice how to rout the old besom.

"What did you call me?" she demanded as he joined her in the other room. He had not realized he was speaking aloud.

"I said… gold becomes you, Mama. You should wear it sometime, instead of black." That would never happen. She had been wearing the willow for more than ten years for a man she had barely tolerated in life.

"Why, Thaddy!" The old lady let him butter her up for a few moments before she slyly went for the jugular. "I saw an old acquaintance today," she interjected smoothly into the conversation. "Mrs. Browne."

Thaddeus, wracking his brain for more compliments, was only partially aware of her words. "Oh?"

"Yes! And I should so like to call on her. Where is she residing?"

"Lady Middleton’s, of course. With Sir Edward Caldwell and his family."

"Hmmm… Now, what do you think of puce?"

"Oh, no, Mama! Never say you are thinking of wearing puce? Better to stay in black!"

The dowager sat back with a smile and kept the subject on fashion before she made a segue into gossip. Lord Thaddeus never realized what had just happened.

"I wish to see my grandson," an old lady in black was saying to the butler when Gabby came bounding down the stairs. "The Duke of Swindon."

"I’ll take care of her," Gabby promised, skidding to a halt right behind Pritchard.

"Very good, Miss Gabrielle." He bowed and left the visitor to the young lady.

"Come here, child," the countess cooed. "You’re a Caldwell?"

"Yes, ma’am. Gabrielle." She dropped the lady a clumsy curtsy even as she recalled seeing this old crow the day before on Bond Street. Her young mind had not taken in the snub at the time, so she was not disposed to dislike this guest.

"Well, Miss Gabrielle, do you know how to get to my grandson’s room?"

"Oh, yes, ma’am! I go there all the time!"

"Indeed…" The dowager whipped out her lorgnette and stared down her aristocratic nose at this boisterious child.

"We all come and go as we please, when he is not working." She led the lady to the stairs and they climbed them together, Gabby slowing her gait to the same measured steps the older woman was using.

"How long has the duke been here?"

"Oh, ages! Ever since he fell over Harry’s valise. He hurt his ankle, you see, but I think it’s all better now," she added innocently. "I’ve seen him walk as well as you and me, but he uses a cane in public. I think he stays because Lord Adrian likes my sister, Charlotte, and…"

Francesca appeared at the top of the stairs.

"This lady says His Grace is her grandson!" Gabby told her sister with delight.

"Truly?" Francesca dipped her a curtsy that was much more proper than her sister’s, and then ruined it by flouncing ahead to the duke’s bedroom door.

The dowager gave a great sniff over the lack of decorum she had seen since her arrival, but was pleased when she noticed the older hoyden had not alerted Swindon to her presence, but stood just before the open door.

The countess did so love to make an entrance.

Athena had brought up Swindon’s tea and discovered, to her surprise, that he was alone. Leaving the door open, she came in with the tray and stood by the side of the bed. He was fully dressed, propped up with pillows behind his back and under his ankle, and was smiling.

"You stayed home today."

"I’m too embarrassed seeing you chase after me," she retorted. But her features were not harsh. Indeed, she had just hit on a way to gain back some of her own. It was a bold idea, and she was not usually this forward, but she was getting desperate. She needed something to keep her from thinking he had not been serious when he asked her to wait.

"Are you going to stand there all day or do I get my tea?" he asked when she did not move.

"You’ll get your tea. For a price, Your Grace." The words sounded foreign to her ears, but his eyes lit up with interest, so she ploughed ahead.

"A price? Whatever happened to Caldwell hospitality?"

"I’ll show it to you if you give me something in return," she teased. Where had this wanton flirt come from?

"Oh?" He was intrigued, in spite of his good intentions at keeping his hands off her the last couple of days. He’d had to ignore her to do so, but one little reward would go a long way to restoring both their good humors. He was also delighted at her forwardness, not having seen that side of her before. "Is it what I think it is?"

"It could be." She set the tray down on a side table and leaned over to give him a chaste kiss. But he pulled a move his uncle would have been proud of and brought Athena into his arms and across his chest so that he could kiss her properly.

"Much better," he murmured.

"I… I didn’t mean this," she insisted, her cheeks aflame.

"Didn’t you, minx?" he asked, pulling her closer. "I am not complaining."

"You should be. What if someone walked in on us?"

"No one is going to walk in…" he said softly right before he closed the gap between their lips.

"What is the meaning of this?" the dowager suddenly demanded from the doorway. Athena gasped and flew off the bed, unable to look at either of them.

"Grandmama!" the duke exclaimed. "I was… We were just…" He knew she would eventually show, but he had hoped it would be later than had happened. He was not quite prepared. The fact that Athena had not run off was a good sign. That she was looking at neither of them was not.

"Disgraceful!" the countess cried. "Leave us!" she commanded to Athena.

"No!" Athena and the duke spoke as one.

Gabby and Fran were still in the doorway, gawking, however, so he signaled for them to leave. They pouted, but curtsied and scampered off without a fuss.

"You will explain yourself now," he was ordered.

"Why?" Swindon stretched his arms out behind his head. He had not become a force to be reckoned with overnight. He had recovered quickly from his initial surprise, concerned more for Athena than himself, and settled in to do battle.

"You are a duke! You should not be dallying with a mere baronet’s daughter – you, who could have an earl’s daughter at the very least!"

"I don’t want an earl’s daughter. I don’t want a king’s daughter. I want…"

"Athena!" Daphne said excitedly, ignoring the countess as she ran into the room. "Look what Wexford gave me!" She held out a hand on which sparkled a new diamond ring. Athena smiled gently and even Swindon grinned. Daphne’s previous betrothal ring had been an heirloom that Lady Wexford had reluctantly given up, most likely because it was so ugly. This was much more attractive.

"It’s lovely," Athena told her sister.

"Hello," Daphne said politely, spying the countess. "I’m Daphne Caldwell." She held out a hand, but the lady ignored it. Cut to the quick, Daphne looked back at Athena in some confusion.

"Lady Chilchester was just leaving," Swindon announced, trying to offer some lame explanation for the snub.

"No, I am not!" The countess stamped her foot. "And don’t think I shall confirm the mauling this… this creature was giving you, Swindon. You won’t be trapped by her if I can help it!"

Daphne gasped, her mouth working open and shut like a codfish as the old lady insulted her sister. "Excuse me, please," she said sweetly and ran out. No one stopped her.

Fortunately, the first people Daphne met were Harry and Eve, just coming home from an outing with the Marlowes. "Come with me!" she commanded and they followed her into the drawing room without question. Wexford was there, ready to take his beloved to the park.

"No time for that now," General Daphne said. "This is a family emergency. There’s an old crow upstairs being unpleasant to the duke and insulting Athena!"

"The devil you say!" Harry swore.

"I do! We need to do something about this. I’m just not sure what," Daphne added with a frown, sinking down onto a settee.

"Do about what?" Francesca asked, coming into the room. "Did you know there’s an old lady upstairs who caught the duke kissing Athena?"

"Did she like it?" Eve asked eagerly.

"The old lady didn’t," Gabby said with a giggle. "But I think Athena did!"

The young ladies all laughed. Harry and Wexford exchanged looks.

"I think we should approach His Grace after the old lady leaves and hear what he has to say about all this," Eve advised. Everyone agreed and Fran insisted on keeping vigil in the hall, ready to pounce on the duke as soon as possible.

She did not have long to wait and as soon as the old bat had left the house, Fran back to report to her sisters, the party of which now included Charlotte.

"I cannot stay here now," the duke said sorrowfully to Athena as soon as he had gotten rid of his grandmother.

"What?" She, who had been so eager to get rid of him in the beginning, was now reluctant to see him go. "What will you say to my family?"

"I’ll say all this marvelous attention and care has worked wonders, allowing me to continue my convalescence at home. But I cannot stay and allow my grandmother to insult you in such a fashion. I cannot imagine why she has any objections to you."

"She was the one who discovered us in a compromising position…"

"True." He hopped up from the bed and rang for his manservant. "But consider yourself compromised, my fair Athena." He stopped and kissed the tip of her nose. "I’ll call on your father in a couple of days, when I can be ‘back on my feet’," he said with a laugh.

"But…" This was all going to quickly for her. First he kissed her, then his grandmother walked in and now this.

"But what?"

"What about our plans? Mrs. Browne and Papa? Wexford and Daphne?"

"Not to worry." He had opened a drawer and was throwing handkerchiefs and such onto the bed but now he came over and kissed her cheek. "Our plans have changed only slightly and the mission is still the same – to get your family independent of you." He turned back to the desecration of his linen drawer.

Athena knew when she had been dismissed and she went slowly and without a backward glance up to her garret to paint. And think. And worry. And cry just a little. It made her feel better. Just a little.

Chapter 15

The duke and his valet did not pack straight away. Instead, Swindon sent for Athena’s siblings. He was not surprised when he learned they were all gathered downstairs. Probably a council of war. The countess tended to bring out such things in people, even complete strangers.

"We need some assistance, Your Grace," Charlotte said as they answered his summons. "We are not the sort to sit idly by while someone – anyone – insults our sister."

"Quite commendable," he replied.

"But what can we do?" Daphne wailed. "The countess is influential and we would not wish to hurt our social standing with some wicked prank."

Fran and Harry looked at each other in dismay. A humiliating scene of some sort was exactly what they had in mind.

"No," Swindon agreed with Daphne. "With my grandmother, the only way to win is to kill her with kindness."

"Kill?" Harry and Fran lit up like a chandelier.

"It is an figure of speech," Eve said, effectively bursting their bubbles. "It means we have to be polite and mind our manners."

"Miss Eve is correct," the duke said with approval. "Do you attend Lady Fitzhugh’s card party tonight?"

They all looked at each other and grimaced. Aunt Florence was to go, but they had all cried off, even Mrs. Browne, not wishing to waste an evening with stuffy old people playing sedate games of whist.

"We are now," Daphne said with a sigh. "Even Lady Wexford plans to go."

Swindon raised his head from where he had been contemplating his hands. "With Uncle Thaddeus?"

Daphne nodded and giggled. "Those two are as thick as thieves."

"Under no circumstances is Uncle Thaddeus to show up there tonight." The old fool was bound to make a cake of himself and the countess would not hesitate to denounce her own reprobate son to the company, which would lead Thaddeus to retaliate in some juvenile manner. It could only go downhill from there.

"Why?" Charlotte was curious.

"Because Grandmother doesn’t know about them yet, and because I want to keep this party sedate."

"I shall keep Lady Wexford and Lord Thaddeus away from there," Daphne announced. "You shall invite me to dine with you," she commanded Wexford, "and I shall bring Fran and Gabby with me."

"How will that help?" Wexford wondered.

"I have an idea, but I need to work on it," she sweetly replied.

Wexford shrugged. Daphne would tell him all in due time, or if she required his assistance.

While they were still discussing the card party, the duke's valet came in with a valise and returned to his work.

"Are you going somewhere?" Eve asked.

"I am going back to my own home," the duke confessed and was rewarded with a barrage of hostile glares. Even Wexford seemed put out. Daphne was on the verge of tears.

"Does this mean you will be at the card party, then?" Francesca demanded.

"Unfortunately, no."

"But..." Charlotte began to protest. Eve cut her short.

"It will be all right. Athena will have the support of those who truly love her. It will be enough," she assured her siblings. She stood abruptly, indicating to her family that it was time to leave. They all filed out ahead of her, no one saying a word to the duke.

He, in return, refused to be intimidated, even when Eve paused at the door.

"You have performed a number of services to my family and for that I am grateful. But I cannot like it that you turn tail and run the moment you are adversely affected."

"You don't understand."

"I don't. And you can bet that if I don't understand, neither will Athena. Have you told her you are leaving?"

"Yes."

Eve frowned. "That's it then. Run along home, Your Grace, and desert the lady you profess to love. As I said, she still has her family to support her. We shouldn't even bother, of course. It seems a moot point to put up a good front to someone whose opinion no longer matters now that you are leaving."

"But..."

"Perhaps you should go home," she suggested. "It will be interesting to see how long it takes you to come crawling back." She left the room quietly.

The duke growled with frustration as he began to throw his clothes willy-nilly into a bag.

"Are we in a hurry, Your Grace?" the valet asked.

"Yes, dammit! I have a card party to attend this evening!"

His manservant gave him an odd look, but he did not question his employer. Not after the young lady had just told him off. And rightly so.

Eve found Mrs. Browne in the drawing room and the two came up with a plan of their own. If they could not count on the duke, there were still others to lend their support.

It was decided that Mrs. Browne and Sir Edward would stay home and keep Athena and Harry with them. Daphne would take Fran and Gabby with her to the Wexfords and everyone else would appear at the card party.

Mrs. Browne sent notes to Sir Thomas, Lord and Lady Hayle and Lord Adrian, asking for their assistance.

"Athena has sent word that she won't be coming down to dinner," Charlotte announced as she joined them.

"That will be good," Eve said sympathetically. "I would not want her to show up at the card party and the duke be absent.

<hr>

"Your family has come with you!" Lady Fitzhugh was quite pleased. She loved the addition of young people at her parties, and the Caldwell sisters were pretty enough to turn heads even among the older people in her set of friends.

"A few had proir engagements," Aunt Florence confessed, "but Charlotte and Eve insisted on coming with me."

"And I," Beatrice said from behind her aunt. "I realized I had not called on your this age, Aunt Gertrude," she added, using their childhood name for Lady Fitzhugh, one of their aunt's bosom friends.

"Aren't you a dear?" the lady exclaimed. "And you have brought Hayle!" If she noticed the marquess with a less-than-happy mien, she chalked it up to his lordship being dragged to a quiet card party, not knowing he was more put out at his friend Swindon than his wife. The note from Mrs. Browne had been quite specific in regards to the situation and his friend's behavior. Hayle had insisted on adding his support.

"Shall we introduce our sisters around for you?" Beatrice offered, aware of other guests waiting to enter the room. Lady Fitzhugh agreed and Beatrice took Charlotte and Eve about the room. It was full of the elderly, all of them falling easily under the charm of Bea's artlessness, Charlotte's frankness and Eve's sudden shyness.

An older gentleman, Lord Arbuthnot, insisted Eve play at his table, and she accepted, finding the white-haired man had kind blue eyes.

"And if I might be so bold, Uncle," Sir Thomas said, appearing at Eve's elbow. "I would be more than happy to be Miss Caldwell's partner. He's my godfather," he added in an aside to Eve. "And he always plays with Lady Chichester."

Eve accepted, and they were no sooner seated at a table, making light conversation, when the countess arrived. She made a beeline for Lord Arbuthnot.

"Arbuthnot. Sir Thomas," she acknowledged. "And a young lady at our table. How refreshing." The way she spoke left no one in doubt she felt the opposite, but Eve did not let her annoyance show.

A hovering servant served them wine and then the countess picked up a deck of pasteboards and dealt the first hand. Lord Arbuthnot and Lady Chichester were veteran whist players, but Eve was not without skill, and she and Sir Thomas made a formidable team. She was also a quiet player and did not indulge in distracting conversation while a hand was in progress. She quickly earned the approval of her tablemates.

"Who did you say you were again?" the countess asked after Eve and Sir Thomas won a closely played round.

"I did not, my lady, but I shall, if you wish it. I am Miss Eve Caldwell."

"Caldwell... I thought I saw your aunt here tonight. Are any of your sisters with you?"

Eve indicated Charlotte's table, where her sister also played with quiet grace.

"You will introduce us at supper," her ladyship commanded and went back to the game. Sir Thomas, however, gave Eve a warm smile.

At the Wexford townhouse, the evening was in high gear. After a dinner of leek soup, capons and whitefish with winter vegetables, and a sherry trifle, Lady Wexford and Lord Thaddeus were kept from attending the card party by the antics of the two youngest Caldwell ladies, and having to provide chaperonage to the betrothed couple.

Fran and Gabby did their part and soon had their elders busy, embroiled in a lively game of Charades. This left them no time to think about cards. Daphne was particularly pleased with her sisters' inventiveness, as it gave her time to sit with Wexford and engage him in light conversation.

At one point, Lady Wexford acted out the title "Merchant of Venice," and she had the girls in stitches as she tried to get them to rhyme Mer with fur.

"Your sisters are charming," the countess told Daphne later when the tea tray had appeared. "You must invite them to the Manor this summer, and I will keep them in the dower house with me."

Wexford almost spit out a mouthful of tea. "The dower house?"

"Of course. I know the manor can accommodate all of us, but you newlyweds will want your privacy, and Daphne will need to learn to get along with the servants without any interference."

Wexford eyed his mother with suspicion. After all, the housekeeper was the sort who would not hesitate to report every little thing to her, making her an effective spy.

"And I am taking Mrs. Metcalf with me," she assured her son. "The housekeeper," she said to Daphne. "I suggest you find another before you leave London," she advised.

Fran and Gabby were being regaled with stories of Lord Thaddeus' exploits at Cambridge and were paying no mind to their sister, which was just as well. After all her moaning about Lady Wexford, they would never have believed this conversation.

"I am grateful to your ladyship for the interest you have shown in my sisters," Daphne quietly replied.

"Nonsense. They are sweet girls and I quite delight in their company. I shall call on Mrs. Browne tomorrow - I wish to see what you have chosen for them to wear to the wedding."

"Yes, ma'am." Like Wexford, Daphne could not quite trust his mother, but neither was she going to alienate the woman. Especially after she had announced her intention to retire to the dower house.

The card party was in full swing when the duke arrived, and when he first appeared in the drawing room, no one paid him any mind at all. Rather miffed at his reception - he was a young, handsome and wealthy duke, after all - he stumped over to the table where his secretary was partnered with Miss Charlotte Caldwell.

"Woodley!"

"Your Grace?"

"Did I give you the night off?" he asked, earning a scowl from Charlotte.

"Yes, Your Grace."

"Oh. Well, carry on, then. Hayle!" he exclaimed, moving on to where his friend sat with Beatrice.

"Swindon!" His reception was rather chilly, and the duke was beginning to think this had been a mistake when Eve excused herself from her table and came forward to greet him.

"So, you came after all."

"For all the good it has done me so far."

"Give them a few minutes to adjust," she advised.

He nodded and looked about. "Brave girl," he said, indicating his grandmother.

"Caldwell ladies are not cowards. Some of us may be rather shy, but we never back down."

"So I see. But tell me, where is Miss Caldwell? Why isn't she here defending her own honor?"

"Why should she? I thought that was your job." With a little flip of her skirts, Eve twirled about and returned to her table.

The duke did not follow. Instead, he took a glass of wine and settled in a corner, away from the crowd but watching the Caldwells and their family and friends. He had not understood their loyalty earlier. After all, they had put Athena through more hoops than he ever thought of doing. Neither had he ever had the advantage of a pack of siblings, though, who would defend one of their own to their last breath. He wanted that. He could have it if he made all this right, and he knew it had to begin with a few words to his grandparent.

The countess either had not seen her grandson, or she chose not to acknowledge him until later. She did not speak to him at all until it was time to go leave, and then she told him he was escorting her home.

Chapter 16

“Athena?”

“Hmm?” The two young ladies were tucked up into bed, but Eve was still thinking about the card party and her sister’s relationship with the duke.

“Do you love Swindon?”

“I don’t know.” Athena sounded miserable.

“Before today, did you?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Do I have to say? I think it’s an exercise in futility at this point.”

“No, it isn’t.” For all her sharp words to the duke, Eve wanted them both to be happy, and they weren’t going to be until they were together. “Please, tell me,” she begged.

Athena sighed. “If you insist…”

Eve sat up in bed. “I do.”

“This wouldn’t have anything to do with a certain baronet’s marked attentions of late, would it?” her sister teased, sitting up higher on her pillow, as well.

“Perhaps. But it’s different for everyone, isn’t it? Bea said she had known Hayle and had been watching him for a month before something told her he was it. They are very happy together,” she said wistfully.

“They are,” Athena softly agreed. “And their love shows in so many ways – look at how Bea spends so much more time with her children than most ladies we know.”

“I should like that…”

“So should I,” Athena said. She thought of Swindon’s wish for a family and how it seemed to fit her own.

“Swindon would be a good father,” Eve shyly suggested. “For all his faults, he has been helpful to us all.”

“All his faults?” Athena exclaimed.

“Yes, you know,” Eve said airily. “All those things that make him such a terrible person.”

“He is not a terrible person!” Athena said on a defensive note.

“But he must be,” Eve reasoned, “or you would not have fallen out of love with him.”

Athena could suddenly see where Eve's mind was headed.

“I shall amend my earlier statement, then. I am in love with Swindon, but I do not like his actions of late. Men are provoking, selfish creatures!”

Eve chuckled. “You knew that already. Look at Papa!”

“True.”

“You never answered my question, either. Why do you love him?”

“Because up until today, he has always been kind to us all; he is generous and he is easy to talk to. He has a good sense of humor, a sense of fairness and he kisses divinely. He would be a good provider and, as you said, an excellent father. He has already shown patience with the younger ones. I’ve never heard any of the servants grumble about him and I’ve heard he contributed to his care and feeding while he was here. But…”

“But he is not allowed to make mistakes?”

“No! Not yet! Not ever…”

“You might forgive him more swiftly if you take him off that pedestal,” Eve advised. “I found it easier when I did the same with Sir Thomas.”

“I’ll have to think about it.” Athena was not quite ready to forgive, especially as she had not yet been extended an apology. “Get some sleep. You’ve had a long day.” She kissed Eve, slid down on her pillow and rolled away from her sister.

The duke did not have time to think of sleep. He had a bone to pick with his grandmother.

“There is no need to accompany me home, Miles,” the countess said stiffly.

“Yes, there is. Where else can I have your undivided attention while I tell you what an evil witch you were today.”

“Miles!” she gasped.

“It’s true!”

“I was trying to save you from compromising yourself, but I was too late. I suppose now you think you have to marry her. A trollop for a duchess! Your sainted mother is most likely turning up the grass over her grave. At least one of her sisters has pretty manners, though,” she added with a sniff. It had not made too much difference in the case of Miss Caldwell, however.

“Trollop?”

“I saw her throwing herself at you.”

Swindon sighed. “I had lured her over to me, my lady, but that is beside the point. As soon as I propose, she will become my duchess and you will just have to learn to live with it. And for the record, Mama is interred in the vault at Swindon. If she was turning – which I sincerely doubt – it would be in the family crypt.”

“I cannot let you ruin the family’s good name! If you become betrothed to Miss Caldwell, I shall have to drop a few words in a couple of ears,” she threatened.

“That’s blackmail,” Swindon calmly replied, suddenly sure of what route to take. His grandmother seemed to be aggravating him on purpose and he was determined not to show his distress. Besides, he knew how to play her game.

“I cannot stop you from spreading false tales, my lady. I must remind you, however, that the family name – both yours and mine – has never been exactly pristine. I recall once when Grandfather called out one of your lovers… Once, when I was a boy, I remember seeing you and a certain person, who is now a respected member of Parliament, in the summerhouse at Swindon. I never told anyone, but there is no statute of limitations on scandal, especially when it would show him in a very bad light. Imagine what Thaddy would have to say? He’s always been held up by you as an example of how not to act. Imagine what he might say or do if he learned that the apple does not fall far from the tree?”

“I cannot believe you have no respect for your grandmother!” she snapped.

“I do not,” he argued, “because you have never earned it. All my life you have been nothing but a nasty old witch.” He thought about adding that he hoped she died before she could inflict herself on his children, but that was a bit too much. He just wanted her to stop interfering in his life.

“How dare you say that to me!” She puffed up like a wet hen. “I am a countess!”

“And I am a duke. Neither makes a bit of difference, in my opinion, when it comes to respect.”

The coach pulled up in front of the dowager’s house and two footmen ran out to assist her.

“I am very displeased with you, Swindon,” she said through tight lips.

“I won’t sleep a wink tonight, for worry,” he said sarcastically. He climbed out of the carriage behind her and said he would take a hackney back to Lady Fitzhugh’s. “Remember,” he said softly in her ear. “No news is good news.”

The dowager scowled at him, but he turned and walked off, whistling.

The next morning, Athena ate breakfast, saw Harry and a footman off across the square for lessons and went upstairs to paint. She was up to her elbows in shades of the duke’s hair an hour later when Fran stomped up the garret steps and appeared breathlessly in the doorway.

“Athena… in the parlor… flowers… Swindon!”

“Swindon sent flowers?” she asked absently.

“No! Swindon is in the parlor, with flowers, asking for you.”

“Oh.”

He’s here, most likely to apologize, and you say ‘oh’?”

“Run along, Fran,” Eve said from behind her. “Why don’t you and Gabby see if His Grace requires anything before Athena comes down?”

Fran grinned and raced down the stairs.

“I suppose I had better see what he wants,” Athena said, wiping her hands with an oily rag. “But I am not going to change my gown.”

Eve agreed. “If he truly cares for you, it won’t matter what you look like. Although you might want to tidy that hair…”

Athena’s hands flew to her head. “Is it that bad?”

Eve produced a silver brush from behind her back. “Let me.” She brushed out her sister’s fair hair and pulled it back into a neat knot at the nape of her neck. “There! You look as if you have been busy, but not harried. Now, don’t let him walk all over you.”

“Wise words from someone who now has an older baronet dangling after her,” Athena teased.

“I know,” Eve said smugly. “I learned from the best.”

As they walked downstairs, Athena wondered how she and Eve had managed to become so close in such a short period of time. It had always been she and Bea, and then Charlotte, who had run everything, with slothful Daphne and shy Eve allowing them. She supposed if Charlotte had encountered the shared difficulties of herself and Eve, though, this might not have happened.

Charlotte had announced at the end of breakfast, however, that Lord Adrian was to call on their father that afternoon, and everyone knew what that meant…

“Don’t forget your own advice,” Eve added just before they reached the parlor door.

“And what advice was that?”

“Don’t look eager and be at home when he calls to apologize,” she said with a grin.

Athena nodded, opened the door and was greeted immediately by Swindon, who paused mid-pace with a bouquet of red roses in his hand.

“For you,” he said abruptly, all but shoving them into her hands. She curtsied, set them on a low table and settled herself on the sofa.

“How nice of you to call, Your Grace,” she said politely.

“There’s nothing nice about it!” he growled. “I hurt you yesterday and I’ve come to make amends.”

“How lovely, Your Grace,” Athena said in her ‘company’ voice. She could hear Eve telling her not to give in.

“What is this ‘Your Grace’ business?” he asked. “You were used to calling me Miles, or at least Swindon.”

“But you’ve reduced us to mere acquaintances now, haven’t you?” Her features were schooled in a mask of pure innocence.

“The devil you say!”

“You could have stayed…”

“Yes, well, I apologize for that. It was an error on my part.”

Athena stayed silent. He was going to have to do better than that.

“We had a plan, you and I, to settle your family and then settle ourselves, and you were depending on me to keep my word. Then my grandmother sent me into a panic and I knew I had to protect you from her by leaving. I have, since then, cornered the old besom and set her straight. I don’t think she will be a problem any longer.”

“You confronted your grandmother?”

“Last night, after I escorted her home from Lady Fitzhugh’s card party.”

“You went?”

“Didn’t Miss Eve tell you that she gave me a dressing down? She also charmed my grandmother, but that is beside the point.”

“She scolded you?”

“She did. I pity the children she has one of these days – who knew such a timid thing could become such a tartar?”

“She didn’t…” Athena started to laugh. “That sly puss!” All the while she had been playing devil’s advocate with Athena, Eve had already given Miles a blistering set-down! What a wonderful sister she was! Athena was going to have to do something special for her in return. She rose to do just that when the duke stopped her.

“Where are you going? I’m not finished. Don’t you want to hear what else I have to say?”

“You may call again tomorrow,” she assured him. “I have other things to attend to, and we truly should not be in here so long alone. People will talk.”

“Let them. Gads, Athena, don’t you think we both have more to say?”

“I don’t,” was her sweet reply, all her warm feelings for him turning chilly as he attempted – yet again – to arrange everything to his satisfaction. She wasn’t going to stand for it. “You may come back tomorrow, Your Grace. I will be available for the requisite fifteen minutes call at that time.”

“Dash it all, Athena! I came to propose and you won’t let me!”

Athena had reached the door, but her hand froze on the knob.

“Propose?”

“Yes, dammit!”

“Why didn’t you say so in the first place?”

They smiled at each other and if Swindon didn’t notice that Athena’s smile never reached her eyes, it was because he was leading her over to a chair by the hearth and kneeling down in front of her.

“Athena – I confess that I have loved you almost from the moment we met. I certainly fell for you before the day was out and the time spent in this house with you has been heaven. I know I was wrong by ending it too soon, but I don’t want it to end at all. Will you marry me?”

Athena had been proposed to before, and by those standards this one was not half bad. He had even gotten in more apology. But to admit now that her heart was touched would be fatal. If she were to accept, he would think all he had to do was snap his fingers and she would run to do his bidding, and that was that. It wasn’t going to be that way. She loved Miles with all her heart, but she refused to come to him like a piece of property.

Eve would be proud that she had pushed Swindon off that pedestal. Athena had discovered herself in the process, and what she wanted was to be courted. Properly courted. Was that too much to ask?

“Do you wish to give me an answer now or wait for my fifteen minutes tomorrow?”

“I’ll answer now,” she said, looking him in the eye. “My answer is no.”

“Good. I… No? You are refusing my suit?” He rose from the carpet and stared at her.

“No, I’m rejecting your proposal, Miles,” she calmly replied, using his Christian name for the first time that day. “There is a difference. If I rejected your suit, it means I find there is no room for improvement and I wish you not to attempt to see me again. By only turning down the proposal, I am offering you a chance to improve.”

“I don’t understand what you want.”

“I want to be courted. I want to look back on this time and know you made every attempt to please me, to capture my attention, to get to know who I am. I want to be wooed.”

“I fail to see what difference that will make…”

“Then you have already failed,” she said sadly. “I had thought you up to the challenge.” She stood and curtsied, the interview clearly at an end. “I love you very much, but I will not spend the rest of my life being treated like part of the furniture. Perhaps you will take this time to discover that. Or maybe you will decide we don’t suit after all. Maybe I will come to that realization. Who knows? We will not, unless we give it a chance. I hope to see you tomorrow, sir. Good day to you.” She left the room before her newfound resolve threatened to crack.

Swindon scowled and walked out, uncertain as to his next move, but knowing someone who could give him some sound advice.

Chapter 17

"You look terrible!" Beatrice said with genuine concern when Swindon stalked into her drawing room. She went swiftly to his side and felt his forehead as if he were a child. "No fever... I understand you are no longer at my aunt's house." She had not had a chance the evening before to discuss that particular piece of news.

"Biggest mistake of my life!" the duke exclaimed.

Beatrice sat him down on the sofa and rang for tea. When a footman answered her summons, though, she had second thoughts and requested something stronger for His Grace.

"Now, tell Bea all about it," she urged when they were alone once more.

"You're her sister..." he mused. "Tell me what I am doing wrong."

Bea was alarmed. "What did you do? Besides leave Athena in the lurch, of course. Eve told me all about it. Why do you think we attended that boring card party last night?"

"I proposed. She turned me down."

"She turned you down?" Beatrice began to laugh.

"I don't find it all that amusing," he said baldly.

The servants came in with a tea tray, Cook's shortbread and a seed cake, and a decanter of whisky.

"I'm sorry, Miles," she apologized after her employees withdrew. "But I'm not surprised." She poured a generous shot of liquor into his cup. "Athena comes across as rather meek at first, but she has a will of iron. What are you going to do to change her mind?"

"Court her," the duke mumbled.

"I beg your pardon, Miles, but did you say you are going to court her?" Bea's grin was wicked.

"It's what she wants."

"And you have no clue how to go about it, do you? You've never had to work for a female in your life."

"I know," he agreed.

"You are smart enough to come to me for advice, at least," she said without a trace of smugness. "Charlotte wouldn't know what to do, Daphne is not original enough and Eve would most likely send you packing."

He could only agree.

"You are going to have to be unique, of course," she mused to herself. "No flowers and odes to her left thumb or anything like that, although I cannot see her refusing a stroll in a moonlit garden."

"Then what do you propose? I am open to all suggestion."

"Just assure me of one thing before I agree to assist you."

"Anything."

"Do you love my sister?"

"More than my own life," was his fervent reply.

"Then I'll help."

Swindon called on Athena the next morning and stayed the requisite fifteen minutes. He discovered she was to attend Almack's the next evening with her family, and solicited a waltz. She agreed and gave him another tidbit of information upon his departure.

"Papa and Mrs. Browne are to be married Friday at St. George's. Ten o'clock. You are welcome to attend the ceremony and the breakfast to follow."

"Thank you. I shall be honored."

Athena sighed once he left and wondered if he planned anything special for this courtship she had requested, or if he was going to stick to the usual flowers, dances and drives sort of wooing. She'd rather thought he had it in him to be a bit more.... interesting. Still, it was only his first day. He needed a chance to prove himself.

At first, Athena thought that next assembly was going to be like Swindon's courtship - rather quiet and mundane. The duke had appeared in time for the first waltz and led her out on the floor with a proprietary air. Athena managed not to groan in frustration, but she was not happy. Now prospective partners would avoid her like the plague and she would be stuck acting like a wallflower until Swindon danced with her once more.

Wasn't there someone willing to brave the duke's wrath? She wondered about that as, well into the evening she had only danced twice - both times with the same partner. Finally, someone did. Lord Fenton.

Athena wasn't going to accept at first. After all, everyone knew Swindon's Angelique had taken up with him after the duke had released her from his protection. But when Swindon caught sight of them conversing and began to descend on them like a hound from Hades, Athena accepted with alacrity.

"How is it..." Lord Fenton asked as they engaged in a harmless country dance, "that you have been to London for several seasons and I am just now meeting you?"

"Perhaps if you spent less time in brothels, taverns and your clubs, my lord, I might have come to notice sooner." She had no real interest in him other than to set Swindon's teeth on edge and was not afraid to speak her mind. Evidently his lordship didn't care either, judging by his laugh, which turned heads and set tongues wagging. Those same tabbies who had chewed over herself and Swindon all evening were now speculating on whether or not she had gained another beau.

"Very well put, Miss Caldwell. Would you care to join me for a ride in the park tomorrow afternoon?"

"With or without the fair Angelique?" she teased, bringing out another laugh in Lord Fenton.

"Without, but if you change your mind, send word and I will bring her along."

"Swindon would have an apoplexy," she said.

"He might anyway," he dryly replied, indicating where the duke stood on the sidelines, watching them dance.

"He's a good man," Athena said softly.

"That he is, but he will never settle on one lady, I fear. He's not the sort to be faithful."

"I suppose you are, then?" she countered.

"Me? Oh, no! I'm even worse. But I would like to get to know you better..."

Athena didn't trust Fenton. Wasn't he the one who had spread those rumors that had brought Lady Chilchester down on them all? She also thought she knew the duke better than his so-called friend.

"Swindon might surprise you," she suggested.

"He might," Fenton said doubtfully. "I'll believe he is serious the day he walks down the aisle of St. George's with a bride on his arm."

"So will I," she said as blandly as possible.

Swindon could not stand up with her again without starting a spate of gossip and he was not so far above himself that he thought he was immune to such things. He sat out a dance with Athena instead.

"You would do well to avoid Fenton," he warned.

Athena had every intention of doing so, but she wasn't going to admit that to the duke. "I find him rather amusing," she replied, looking over to where Eve danced with Sir Thomas instead of at her companion.

"He's nothing but trouble," Swindon grumbled.

Athena knew what he thought improper to tell her, but she sought to tease him about it anyway. "Oh? How?"

"I cannot tell you. It would not be proper."

"How honorable of you - you don't wish to sully my ears with the knowledge that Fenton has taken your former mistress under his wing or that he has been bandying your name all over town. I might sound like a jealous cat, but that was probably Angelique's doing and after seeing her, I know why he took up with her."

Swindon stared at her. "You are taking his side?"

"Why not? He did something tonight no other gentleman has even attempted - he asked me to dance despite glaring opposition."

"I just don't..."

"You just don't want to share me, do you?" She fixed her beloved with a steely gaze. "You have no competition, Miles, even if I dance with every man in the room. But you are going to find yourself growing old alone if I have to remind you yet again that I am not your plaything." She rose from her chair and stalked off, not caring whether she danced again for the rest of her life.

"Am I rude, overbearing, demanding and insistent on getting my own way?" Swindon asked Hayle the next afternoon at White's.

"Who wants to know?"

"I do."

Hayle started to laugh.

"It's not amusing, although I can tell your wife did not keep my business to herself."

"I believe I am the only person in whom she confided," Hayle assured him. He signaled to a waiter and a bottle of port and two glasses were set in front of them.

"Speaking of the lovely Beatrice, aren't you going home to her and your children?" Hayle rarely sat over a glass of anything at White's anymore.

His friend shrugged. "Actually, the lovely Beatrice said I am to keep you here for awhile each evening until you outgrow those overbearing ways of yours, even if it takes all Season. She was jesting," Hayle said with a laugh at the alarmed expression on his friend's face. "But I've been instructed to coach you on your first attempt at courtship."

"You?" It was the duke's turn, and his loud laugh caused heads to turn in the quiet hush of the room. The club would not get louder and more boisterous until well into the evening.

"I did win the lovely Beatrice," Hayle reminded him.

"Correction. Beatrice caught you and then allowed you to think you had done all the work. Not that she doesn't have good taste in gentlemen... And she truly loves you, you lucky man."

"You, too, can allow the woman of your dreams to think she has caught you and then allow you to think you have won," Hayle said with a wink. "Now, what is your first attempt at wooing going to entail? Bea is curious - she said she gave you some guidelines, but you insist on making your own plans. Better tell them to me now, so Bea can voice her disapproval, if warranted."

Swindon shook his head. "Bea can be as biting as some of her sisters when she chooses, but I cannot say at the moment what the plan is. She will be pleased, however, to know I've thought long and hard about this."

"That is the point," Hayle said sarcastically.

"Exactly. I asked myself, 'What are the things the lady wants most out of life?'"

"And?"

"I made a list and the top three, as far as I can discern, are a family, a home of her own and time to work on her art. I made a list of my finer points, as well, and, lo and behold, my top three match hers exactly."

"You want a family, a home and time to paint?" Hayle chuckled.

"Something similar. I am, as you well know, an excellent godfather and de facto uncle to your offspring."

Hayle nodded. Miles actually enjoyed visiting the Hayle nursery and spending time with the children.

"I believe I have also shown such attentions to the younger Caldwells. Number two: I have several houses, but none of them is truly a home. The house in town, especially, needs a woman's touch, and I have plenty of the ready. Which puts me in the position to allow her to decorate the place as she sees fit."

"True. The third?"

"Third, I am in a position to not only give her time to paint, but to display it all to the world."

"And if, after all this, she still refuses you?" Hayle shook his head. "What shall I tell Bea?"

"Nothing yet. My ideas are only half formed and I don't know when to put any of them into action."

Swindon's first opportunity came that Friday morning after Sir Edward Caldwell married Mrs. Browne at St. George's, Hanover Square.

The duke appeared at the church in plenty of time for the ceremony and seated himself with Hayle and Beatrice. Also in attendance were Sir Thomas Marlowe and his son, and Lord Adrian, receiving congratulations on the announcement the day before of his own impending nuptials to Miss Charlotte Caldwell. Lord Wexford and his mother shared the pew in front of Swindon with his Uncle Thaddeus.

"Heard you ripped into the old girl the other night," Thaddy said, turning around in his seat.

"How did you-?"

Thaddeus laughed. "The servants are more loyal to me than they ever were to her and she seems to have taken her anger out on her maid."

Swindon was stricken. "Did she sack her?"

"Without a character. Fortunately, Regina, er, Lady Wexford, came to her rescue once I explained the situation. Wexford has hired the girl for his future countess."

The duke was relieved, but he didn't get a further chance to speak. Someone was playing a march and the unmarried Caldwell sisters were coming down the aisle, a bevy of beautiful attendants for their new mother. Each young lady carried a single lily, while Mrs. Browne carried a handful of the same flower, a gift from the duke. The baronet stood up with the rector and young Harry, beaming widely as his daughters gave way to the bride.

Afterwards, when the wedding breakfast had been consumed and the newlyweds sent on their way to Sussex for a week, the duke found Gabby sitting on the stairs, tears streaming down her face.

"Why so sad, Miss Gabrielle?" he asked, sitting one stair below her.

"I'm going to miss them so much!"

"They will only be gone a sennight," he assured her. An idea came to him then, one that fit in perfectly with his plans. "Run get your bonnet and cloak, Miss Gabby, and as many siblings as would like a treat. Athena has to be one of them," he added. Gabby had stood, and she looked down at him with a questioning frown.

"Where are we going?"

"Somewhere very special, but it is a surprise. Are you game?"

"As a pebble!" She ran off to tell everyone that Swindon was taking them on an outing.  

Chapter 18

In the end, almost everyone came along for the surprise, and if Athena had protested at first, she gave no indication now, not even when she found herself alone with the duke in his phaeton, leading the way.

"That was a nice ceremony," he said into the silence she maintained. "How does it feel to gain a mother?"

Athena thought about that. She had been so long without one, it seemed almost a novelty. She then recalled that Swindon had neither mother nor father living.

"I think it will be good for the entire family. The younger ones will have someone to look out for them and we older children will not have to worry about Papa when we leave the nest. That was a very nice thing you did for Lord Adrian and Charlotte," she added.

Concerned that Lord Adrian might not be able to support her sister, Athena had asked Charlotte a couple of questions, learning that the betrothal and upcoming marriage had been made possible by the duke.

"It was none of my doing," he modestly replied. "I only advised Adrian on what investments to make and his money did the rest. Actually, he has been able to afford to leave my employ for some time, but there was no reason. Now they are both bent on his running for MP. Your sister will enjoy meeting his family. They are all involved in politics in some form or other."

"It sounds as if she will fit in well," Athena agreed.

They reached their destination, a dusty little shop just off Drury Lane. The sign said "Guiseppe's" and there was a picture of a marionette painted underneath. Intrigued, Athena allowed herself to be escorted inside even before the other carriages were unloaded. Indoors, the shop was larger than she had imagined, with the walls lined with incredible puppets.

"They are beautiful!"

"Bella, no?" a wizened old man asked, appearing from nowhere at her side. The duke was nowhere to be seen.

"Exquisite," she agreed.

"You pick one, signorina, and we play it on the stage." He indicated a raised theater at the far end of the room.

Before she could reply, he had run off to greet the duke, who came in with the rest of her family in tow. She watched as Swindon introduced everyone to the old man and then invited them to look around. Even Lady Wexford was speechless when confronted with the endless array of puppets on display.

Eve, coming in last with Harry, Peter and Sir Thomas, approached her eldest sister.

"I've never seen the like, have you? What do you think he's up to?" she wondered, indicating the duke who was taking puppets down to show Peter.

"Cheering up Gabby?" Athena suggested, even as she knew, deep down, it went further than that.

"Oh, look!" Eve cried. "I want this one!" She pointed to a spotted dog that was too high for her to reach. She was immediately aided by Sir Thomas, who approved her choice and brought it down into her hands. They stood there holding the dog together for a moment, looking into each others' eyes.

Athena felt decidedly de trop at that point and moved on to where Fran and Gabby were browsing through marionettes of people.

"We could have a family!" Fran was saying.

"What we need is a puppet theater," Gabby said, nodding in agreement. "Then we could make up a play for when Papa and Mama come home."

"Yes!" Harry and Peter thought that was a bang-up suggestion and they all began plotting out a show.

"We cannot forget children..." Fran said, picking up an infant puppet with a smile. "Look, Your Grace!" She handed it to Swindon.

"A much needed addition," he said, cradling the marionette and excusing himself to confer with Guiseppe and Uncle Thaddeus.

Athena stood back and watched as Swindon gestured toward the theater. Lord Thaddeus, laughing, trotted off to Lady Wexford's side. Guiseppe called something in Italian and several young men came out of a back room.

"Guiseppe and his sons are going to perform for everyone," the duke announced and there was a general exodus toward the stage as chairs were brought out for the audience. He stood next to Athena, still holding the baby marionette.

"How lovely."

"Thank you so much for this treat!" Gabby exclaimed, hugging the duke before heading for a seat. "I am feeling much better!"

The duke laughed and hugged her in return, to Athena's amazement. "Go watch the show," he urged the younger girl. "Afterwards, we are going to buy puppets, and I have arranged to buy a smaller theater in which to give our own shows."

Gabby squealed with delight and ran off to tell Harry, Peter and Fran. A shout of happiness was heard over the tops of the adults' heads.

Athena smiled at the duke, the first one she had given him in several days. "That is a very thoughtful gift and will keep them all entertained for hours, if not days."

"I hope you will allow me to come play," he said.

"Why should I not? My brother and sisters like you and you would be most welcome."

"And would I be able to spend some time with you?"

"Perhaps," Athena coyly replied.

"And would that time be spent somewhere private?"

"Perhaps..."

"If you two are quite finished flirting," Eve said tartly, "the performance is about to begin. I don't want anything marring Peter's enjoyment. Until recently, he rarely left the house, you know." She marched off without waiting for a reply.

"She and Harry have done wonders for that family," the duke whispered as he led Athena to a chair in the back. He'd much rather speak with her than watch the show.

"They have," Athena agreed. "If Sir Thomas makes her an offer - and if she accepts it - Mrs. Browne, er, Lady Caldwell wants to let Harry stay with them most of the year, and send Peter home with him during the summer months."

The duke wisely made no mention of his own offer, only nodded. Ahead of them, young and old were already caught up in the story of Robin Hood, aptly narrated by a pretty Italian girl in slightly-accented English. Athena looked down to where the duke still held the baby puppet and was quiet, but thoughtful, for the rest of the show.

The puppet theater was scheduled to arrive two days later, and all the younger people were wild to use it. Fran, Gabby and Harry practiced for hours with the eight marionettes the duke had purchased. Lord Thaddeus had given them four more, with the stipulation that they write an original play for his entertainment. Peter volunteered to be the playwright and by the time the stage was set up in the Caldwell drawing room, he already had an idea of how everything was going to turn out.

Bea arrived in the middle of one of their writing sessions the day after the stage was installed, her children with her, and was amazed not only with the activity, but the concentration being given to such a thing.

"I thought Gabby was blue-deviled over the wedding," she confessed to Eve and Athena. Charlotte and Daphne had gone shopping for bride clothes with their aunt.

"She was, until Swindon took us to this marvelous shop!" Eve said with shining eyes.

"Oh?" Beatrice's look at Athena spoke volumes. "And so it begins," she said softly. "Well done, Miles..."

As if his name were an incantation, the duke was announced. The children, including Bea's young son, instantly clamored for his attention and he was swept off to inspect the stage, watch them put puppets through their paces and listen to bits and snatches of Peter's play.

Athena did not place too much significance on Swindon's visit. After all, he would be curious as to how his gifts had been received.

"He would make a good father, I think," Bea said casually.

"Definitely," Eve added as the duke allowed her nephew to climb all over him.

"I see that he has the sensibility of a child to get along with them so well," Athena replied.

"All gentlemen are like that!" Bea said with a laugh. "But that doesn't stop us from loving them."

"No, indeed," Eve said, and then blushed. Bea and Athena shared a giggle.

"You should not be too harsh on Miles," Bea said to her sister, patting her hand. "He is just a man, after all, and one used to getting his own way."

Athena wanted to agree, but she looked over to where he played with the children and had to smile. Swindon had managed to keep their high spirits reined in to a manageable volume and yet was allowing them to control their own activity. That meant he could refrain from ordering others around.

"I think he is doing a rather fine job of letting the children have their way now," she said. Bea and Eve watched him for a moment and had to agree.

Later, after a boisterous rehearsal and a noisy tea, Sir Thomas arrived to collect Peter and the duke offered to drive Bea and her children home. Eve and Athena went upstairs to discuss what they would wear to dinner. When they reached their room, Athena opened the door, and gasped.

"What?" Eve wondered, pressing in to see what had alarmed her sister. When she spied what it was, she covered her mouth with her hand and dissolved into giggles.

"It's not funny!" Athena protested, inspecting the ornate cradle set up in front of the hearth.

"It's sweet!"

"Very." Inside the cradle was a small figure wrapped in a soft, knitted blanket. Athena carefully opened the saddling to find the infant marionette. A note with the duke's seal fell out and she opened it carefully, mindful of the puppet still in her arms.

Athena was thinking on that later in the evening as she attended Mrs. Gordon's ball. Gentlemen seemed to have gotten over their terror of the duke, or else he was keeping a low profile, because she had more requests from prospective partners than there were dances. She knew the duke was at the ball - he had danced earlier with Beatrice and had asked Athena to save him the supper dance, but then he had disappeared.

Lord Fenton was the only one, however, who remarked on it.

"I'm surprised at Miles," he said conversationally as they danced. "I thought perhaps he would be out guarding his property once more."

"Fortunately for me, I will never be property," she said confidently.

"By law..."

"I do not intend to wed anyone who considers me as such," was her lofty reply.

"Then Miles is not your man," he advised. "He's definitely the master in any situation and I've no doubt marriage would be the same."

Athena wondered what Fenton's game was. She did not care about the mistress, but she was concerned now that Fenton was saying things directly to her. Was he spurred on by jealousy, perhaps? Regardless, she would prefer not to dance rather than accept the man's invitations.

Swindon had been watching Fenton dance with Athena and could only guess what the man was saying about him. He held his tongue. As ambivalent as Athena appeared toward himself, he doubted she took any of Fenton's words to heart. After all, Athena already knew things about Fenton and he was sure his intelligent darling would keep those in mind.

Still, he was glad when he could approach her for the supper dance at midnight. It was a waltz and there was no way he was going to pass up a chance to hold her in his arms. Or sit with her afterwards, plying her with ham, lobster patties and cherry tarts. He had made a recent study of her favorite foods.

"I believe this is our dance, Miss Caldwell," he said when he came to collect her. She agreed without protest and he led her out onto the dance floor.

"Aren't you going to ask what Lord Fenton said?" she wondered almost immediately.

"Actually, no. Either you believe him, or you do not."

"Quite a different tune than the one you sang at Almack's, Your Grace."

"I did not say I wasn't curious, Miss Caldwell. I'm just not going to enquire."

"Oh!" That option had never occurred to her. "And why is that?"

"Because it is none of my business."

"A change of heart, Your Grace?"

"A wise young lady recently pointed out a few of my faults and I am doing my best to reform to her liking."

"A lady surely would not make such a request," Athena said with a gasp. "What if the fickle creature changes her mind?"

"I shall change however my lady wishes," he said.

"Even if you were asked to jump in the Serpentine?"

"I would."

"And if she said to walk backwards down Pall Mall?"

"I would ask how far."

"Why is that, sir? You do not strike me as particularly biddable, especially as it pertains to females."

"I have never been in love before, Miss Caldwell."

"So you are saying love causes you to go against your own principles?"

Minx! "Not principles, Miss Caldwell. Perceptions and prejudices, definitely. It has been an education," he admitted.

"For more than one, I daresay."

"I hope my beloved learns a few things as well." Like when it was best not to push him too far. He did not think she would follow through with her earlier suggestions, but he could not be certain.

"I am sure she will have discovered something about you before this is all over," Athena said softly. "As well as herself."

"I admit I have learned one thing about her," the duke confessed.

"Oh? Would you mind sharing it?"

"Not at all. I have learned that one must not underestimate her."

"Is that all you know?"

"I know she is more than equal to the tasks of duchess, wife and mother."

"Duchess being the most important?"

"Of course not. I did not rank those in descending order. How would you rank them?"

"Wife, mother and then duchess," she promptly replied.

"Then we are in agreement."

"Your sister and Swindon seemed to be getting along," Sir Thomas said casually to Eve at supper. He had seated her at a table for two, fetched her a glass of wine and carefully chosen her a plate of delicacies.

"I hope it is so. She has placed some heavy demands on him. I'm only telling you this, of course, because you have become a friend of the family. You and Peter."

"I'm happy to hear it. Then again..." They were situated in a corner and seated more side by side than across from each other. Sir Thomas picked up one of the hands she kept in her lap and held it in his.

Eve blushed a bit, but she did not push away. "Then again..." she prompted.

"Then again, I should like to become more to the Caldwell family."

Eve was proud of her calm countenance. "You wish my Papa to adopt you as a son?" she teased.

"Minx! Under that shy exterior lies a sharp-tongued vixen! No, I'd much rather be adopted as a son-in-law... brother-in-law... husband..."

"Husband?" Eve whispered. "Did you have a specific Caldwell in mind to take to wife? It's not Athena, is it?" she asked quickly.

"No," he softly replied, squeezing her hand. "I was thinking more along the lines of her sister, Miss Evangeline. If she will have me, of course."

Eve gave him a tremulous smile. "I can't think of a reason why she would not. Not anymore."

Chapter 19

The household was in one of its usual uproars - there were now three weddings to plan, relatives of all the gentlemen to meet and entertain, and a puppet show to perform. The younger Caldwells were ready for their parents to return to town so they could put on their show, but Athena had suggested they wait a few days more for the large dinner party being given for all the brides' new families. They readily agreed.

Athena was a bit suspicious of this, considering how vocally they had been anticipating the arrival of Sir Edward and Lady Caldwell. The children assured her that the delay would give them more time for rehearsal and a larger audience, and she had dropped the subject.

She was suspicious, too, of the time Lord Thaddeus was spending with the younger set. There had been a couple of extra trips to the marionette shop, and a lot of secret meetings with Peter Marlowe concerning the script. Athena was not put off by the secrecy, but she was concerned that Swindon might use this public display for one of his own. How she should hate for him to renew his suit in front of others.

Instead, she and Beatrice received an invitation to come to Swindon House for tea.

"What do you think this is all about?" Athena asked her sister that afternoon as they took Bea's carriage to the duke's mansion.

Bea was a consummate actress. "I have no idea," she said innocently. It wasn't too difficult to dissemble in this instance, anyway. Miles had not confided in her, and she she was as curious as Athena. Not only that, but it had been ages since she had been inside Swindon House. At the time, the place had looked rather shabby - rugs and draperies had needed replacing and the elderly housekeeper either had a difficult time keeping skillful housemaids or she was less than efficient at keeping them on task. The house could have used an intense cleaning.

When the sisters were admitted to the mansion, Bea saw the cleaning had improved, but the carpet under her feet was just as threadbare as she remembered.

"I don't know why you haven't called in a decorator, Miles," she said once greetings had been dispensed with and the ladies were installed in the drawing room with tea and cake.

"I don't want this house turned into a modern showplace, Beatrice. I abhor all that Egyptian furniture with crocodile feet and faux sarcophagi. Or tiny gilt furniture that would collapse under my weight."

Bea nodded. "Your house has so many treasures and a decorator would just consign everything to the attics - or the dustbin - and replace it all with snakes and ibises." She shuddered. "You only need new carpets and draperies. It wouldn't hurt to have the sofas recovered and everything rearranged, either."

"I knew you would see it like I do," the duke said with warm approval. "And you, Miss Caldwell?"

Athena had been looking about with interest as soon as she had walked in the door, curious about the duke's home. She was pleased, but not surprised, that he would want to display his family's extensive collections instead of replacing them with the styles currently in vogue. She had seen some truly hideous Oriental and Egyptian themed homes. She had to agree with Bea. Refurbishment was definitely required. Some of the chairs showed horsehair and cotton wool between slits in the embroidered satin on their seats. The main chandelier was missing some of its crystal drops. The velvet drapes had holes and the sun made little pinpoints on one of the worn rugs where it shone through.

"I like it all very much," she said. "You could also take the paintings down and have them cleaned, which could be done while everything is being refurbished."

"That sounds practical."

"It is only logical," Athena said modestly, but surely he did not expect her to help decorate. When he picked up a handful of fabric swatches, she had to assume that he did. She felt a bit self-conscious about being asked her opinion, and deferred him to Bea. She would have liked to have helped, but she was waiting until they were more official. She had every intention of accepting when he tendered his next proposal. So far he was living up to the promise of an unusual courtship.

"Would you like to see more of the house?" he offered. Athena agreed, but Bea said they should go without her.

"I've seen it before and I want to look through these fabrics. I mean to redecorate my own drawing room this season..." She waved them off and Athena noticed Swindon was not slow to take her off to the dining room.

“It seats four and twenty and does not get used much,” the duke said of the large table in the middle of that room. “I have a smaller breakfast parlor, which I prefer for all my meals. My mother died when I was eighteen and I still remember the large parties she used to have. After that…”

“After that…” Athena prompted, curious to hear more about his family and his youth.

“After that the light went out of my father’s life. He went through the motions of living for a few more years, but he was never the same.”

“How sad.”

“It was. Here was my father, a man whom I loved, wasting away right before me. He held on until I reached my majority and then he died.”

“Oh.” Athena was in tears, not for the father, but for the son who had been left behind. “While it is admirable that he loved her so much he no longer wished to live, I think it is rather selfish of him to quit this world as long as he loved others, and was loved. He will never be able to enjoy future generations…”

“I thought you might understand.” He took out his handkerchief and held it while she blew her nose.

“My father was not nearly as devoted to my mother as all that, but he did love her. Fortunately, he stayed it out and found love again,” Athena said with a sniff. "He has a brood of children and two lovely grandchildren, with the promise of so many more. I would say my Papa, for all his faults, knows what it means to live.”

Swindon picked up a silver candlestick from the sideboard and tossed it from one hand to the other. “I admire Sir Edward for that, and envy him his family.”

“The Lord willing, you will have one, too,” she assured him.

“Will I?” He stopped playing with the silver and looked at her intently. She smiled back at him.

“Yes, Miles, you shall.”

“You will accept my offer?”

“I will accept the next one you make to me,” she clarified. “I will leave the appropriate romantic setting and the words up to you.”

“I see. You want all the trappings now, do you?”

“I expect you to continue in your current, untraditional manner, of course,” she said with a laugh and strolled into the next room, which appeared to be the aforementioned breakfast parlor, also in need of a few improvements.

“This courtship is stretching the limits of my imagination,” he complained when he caught up with her.

“You are doing wonderfully well so far. Isn’t today part of it, after all?”

“Er, yes…”

“Then it has been a success. Shall we see what Bea is doing? You may show me the rest of the house once we are betrothed, and then I shall be more than happy to select sofa fabric with you.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he said meekly and escorted her back to the drawing room, where her sister was pouring out fresh tea.

By the time the newlyweds had returned from a sennight in Sussex, preparations were well under way for a large family gathering.

Aunt Florence and Athena had invited Bea and Hayle, Lord Adrian and his parents, Lord and Lady Basingstoke, Lord Wexford, Lady Wexford and Lord Thaddeus, Sir Thomas Marlowe and Peter, and the Duke of Swindon, to dinner, with the children to provide entertainment. Even Gabby and Harry were to be allowed to dine with everyone, Athena having deemed the party to be of only family or near family.

She had consulted Charlotte first, however – Lord Adrian’s parents were the only ones who had yet to meet the younger members of the family and therefore the ones who might object to them attending the dinner. Charlotte assured her that Lord and Lady Basingstoke were not high in the instep and were looking forward to dining with all the Caldwells.

“They have no idea what they are in for then,” Athena said with a laugh. Charlotte had to agree.

Most of the day was spent preparing for the dinner, and everyone except the performers had been barred from the music room, where the play was to take place. The only other person admitted had been Lord Thaddeus, who appeared on edge. Athena tried to speak to him, but he stuttered and ran off to see the children, a package under one arm.

She didn’t have time to worry over him, and forgot all about his involvement with the program until after dinner, when everyone took seats in front of the puppet stage. Lord Thaddeus, who was the usher, had seated the newlyweds, Lady Wexford and the marquess and his wife in the front row. He settled the countess in her chair with shaking hands and Athena, who had been relegated to the back with the duke, looked at him in some confusion.

“Do you know why he is so skittish this evening?”

“I have no clue,” Swindon sincerely replied and she had to be content with that.

The play began innocuously enough. Peter was the narrator of the show, which seemed to be a retelling of their season so far. There was the eldest daughter, who had come to London with only one other sister, but was quickly joined by her brothers and sisters. They had not gone so far as to make a parody of the duke’s fall, but they did show a Daphne-like puppet being reunited with her fiance. An Eve marionette met another gentleman and fell in love, and a Charlotte character found a gentleman of her own.

Everyone seemed to enjoy watching the courtships of these three couples and no one was surprised when an older pair appeared on stage. They all thought them to be Sir Edward and Mrs. Browne. They were all surprised, then, wen when Peter referred to them as Thaddy and Regina.

“Did you know about this?” Swindon asked Athena in a low voice.

She was much amused by the tone of his voice and the way the two puppets on stage were billing and cooing. When they broke into a love song, everyone either laughed or sighed. Athena broke out into a fit of the giggles. After all, she had seen the two of them bickering at that gaming hell.

“I had nothing to do with this,” she confessed, “but your uncle has been consulting with our young players – perhaps he is going to…” She giggled once more. “You don’t think he plans to…”

“No!” the duke exclaimed. “He wouldn’t!”

“Is that such a terrible thing?” Athena asked.

“Oh, no – I think they would deal wonderfully well together. They would lead each other a merry chase and be very happy. I own I am surprised Thaddy is even considering marriage, however. He is a confirmed bachelor.”

“Shhh!” Aunt Florence turned around to admonish them. “They are just getting to the best part!”

On stage, the Thaddy puppet was kneeling rather expertly in front of his ladylove in the audience. Everyone held their breath.

“My dearest Regina,” the marionette said with Lord Thaddeus’ voice, although Harry had been playing him before this. “I know I am just a puppet, willing to do your bidding, but I have always loved you. Will you marry me?”

Before the countess could respond, the Regina puppet sauntered forward.

“He’s mine!” she insisted. “If you want the real thing, help yourself, but the wooden one belongs to me!”

“Fran!” A few worried voices carried over the top of the stage, but the real Lady Wexford tittered like a schoolgirl.

“You may have him, if the real Thaddy will come out for my answer.”

“Told you!” Fran’s smug voice rang through the room. The audience laughed.

When Lord Thaddeus came around the stage a bit shyly, the countess threw herself at him and kissed him soundly. “The answer is yes!”

Applause rang out and Pritchard and two of the footmen brought in champagne and glasses on cue.

“Someone likes to be prepared,” Athena said with a laugh.

“Thaddy always did hedge his bets,” the duke agreed.  

Chapter 20

Lord Thaddeus and Lady Wexford decided not to wait overly long to get married, but they had not counted on his mother’s interference. Lady Chichester called on Lady Wexford the day the betrothal announcement appeared in the newspapers.

Lady Wexford was having a morning coze with Daphne, who had been invited to discuss wedding arrangements with her future mother-in-law. Lady Wexford not only wished to ensure herself that her son’s nuptials would be remarkable, but she had come to like Wexford’s pretty fiancee and rely on her good fashion sense. She was not going to have time to order a new gown before she and Thaddy wished to be wed, and she wanted Daphne to help her choose something from her existing wardrobe.

While they were still in the drawing room, however, they were interrupted by Lady Chichester, who strode into the room demanding to know what Lady Wexford thought she was doing, marrying Thaddeus without permission.

“I hardly think Thaddy is a green lad whose mother should be consulted first.” Lady Wexford conveniently forgot that she had been of that exact opinion when her own son became betrothed. She was not afraid of Lady Chichester, though. The woman had no real ammunition, and Lady Wexford could not respect such a tactical error.

“Just because my son is an aged Lothario does not mean he is capable of making such decisions on his own.”

Daphne winced, but Lady Wexford merely grinned and settled back on the sofa. “Where are my manners? Won’t you have a seat, Lady Chichester? Or shall I call you Mother Fletcher?”

The countess sniffed and took a chair. At a nod from Lady Wexford, Daphne poured some tea. An offer of cake was refused.

“I have no desire to become as large as one of the cows on my estate,” Lady Chichester said.

Lady Wexford, who was on the plump side, only rolled her eyes, as if daring the woman to do better than that. “Your elder son’s estate, of course,” she reminded the older lady. She was not above a few well-placed barbs herself. That one hit its mark, too, if Lady Chichester’s scowl was any indication. It was followed almost immediately by an angelic smile.

“An estate Thaddeus will never inherit. My son the earl has three boys of his own.”

“How blessed he must be. Fortunately for him, we will not have to live off his largesse. Wexford has bought us a house as a wedding gift, and Thaddy and I have enough private income between us to live comfortably.”

“Until you start losing it at the tables…”

“I have not played cards for several weeks now, and neither has Thaddy. We shall be too occupied, I think, to seek our entertainment at the green baize tables.”

Lady Chichester actually blushed. So did Daphne. There was no mistaking Lady Wexford’s meaning.

“Some people do resort to the baser things in life when they have no refinement,” the older countess said with a sniff.

“And a number of people resort to propriety when they lack imagination or appreciation of the baser things in life.”

“How dare you?”

Lady Wexford shrugged. “You are the one who came in here flinging insults, my lady. If you cannot stand the sting, stay away from the beehive.”

“I must get Thaddeus to cry off – he must know how he is nursing a pit viper at his bosom!”

“I wouldn’t worry about the pit viper,” Lady Wexford said sweetly. “He’ll be off her leading strings once he marries me.”

“Why, you… you… doxy!”

“Perhaps,” Lady Wexford readily admitted, “but your son is rather partial to Haymarket ware, and I want to make him happy. If that is how, then so be it. You look like you could use a bit of a tupping yourself. I beg your pardon, Miss Daphne. Fortunately, this cleaver was just leaving.”

Lord Thaddeus came in just as his beloved called his mother a wanton woman. He wished he had been there sooner.

“Thaddeus! I demand that you end this engagement at once! I will not have a daughter who calls me horrid names!” Lady Chichester ordered.

Thaddy took a cup of tea from an anxious-looking Daphne and gave her a wink.

“That’s pretty harsh, Regina,” he noted in a calm voice. “And surely you can do better than that.”

His mother gasped. “This… this she-devil has turned you against me already!”

“No, Mother. You did that ages ago. Go on, Regina. I should like to hear what else you would call her.”

Lady Wexford shook her head. “I will not say another word, Thaddy. She is your mother, after all.”

“Besides,” Daphne piped up. “Lady Chichester called Lady Wexford most of the scandalous names.”

“All the more reason to let the matter drop,” Lady Wexford insisted of her betrothed. “She’s an old woman and they must be indulged to some extent,” she added in a louder voice to Daphne.

“I have never been so rudely treated in all my life,” the older countess insisted. “I am going to make certain Chichester cuts off your annuity.”

“Too late. I just came from there and we’ve increased it and made provisions for Regina for the rest of her life. It’s much like your own agreement with my brother.”

The countess flushed. “Perhaps I will go now. I fully expect to receive an invitation to the wedding,” she told her son, fixing him with a steely glare.

“Yes, Mama. I’m sorry you had to witness that, Miss Daphne,” he said once Lady Chichester was gone.

“That is all right,” Daphne murmured. That could easily have been her and Lady Wexford a few weeks before, if it had not been for Athena, the duke and this gentleman who was soon to be Wexford’s stepfather. She had much to be thankful for.

“I don’t hear you apologizing to me,” Lady Wexford said indignantly.

“Because you are infinitely capable of fighting dragons, my love.”

Lady Wexford was quite satisfied with that answer.

Bea was using the family’s betrothals as an excuse to throw a ball. Not only did she want to introduce her family to her many friends and acquaintances, but she hoped a certain older sister and friend would take a hint and get on with becoming engaged.

“Miles and Athena will become betrothed when they are ready,” Hayle assured his wife that evening as they dressed for the event.

“They are not moving fast enough! I should give them a little push, don’t you think?”

“No, I do not. Neither one of them would thank you, and there is the possibility of something going awry.”

“My plans to not go awry,” Beatrice said with supreme confidence.

“No, they do not. But do you truly want to go down on the books as having a plan go awry, ruining their lives in the process?

“No,” she sheepishly replied.

“Then no meddling.”

Unfortunately for Athena and Swindon, other people decided to meddle instead, and not for the good. Bea had politely invited Lady Chichester, but only because the countess was Lord Thaddeus’ mother and Miles’ grandmother. She was surprised when the countess brought Lord Fenton with her as escort. Bea had not invited him because of the rumors, and she thought a young man escorting a woman old enough to be his grandmother could only be up to no good.

Being in the receiving line, however, she could only send a footman off to find Swindon and warn him to be on the alert.

“Aren’t you glad you didn’t attempt any nefarious schemes?” her husband softly teased.

“Will you be serious?” she begged between clenched teeth as she attempted to greet guests at the same time.

“I am serious. I also shall be keeping an eye on her ladyship, Lord Fenton and the Caldwells.”

Bea would have sagged against him in relief, but she had to stay upright and play the perfect hostess.

Francesca had been allowed to attend the ball and was about to enter the first dance, under the watchful eye of the new Lady Caldwell, with a young man in uniform. Eve, Daphne and Charlotte were all being catered to by their gentlemen, and Gabby was upstairs spending the evening with her small cousins. She had been promised a peek at the guests and a plate of food from the midnight supper if she could manage to stay up that late. Harry was at Marlowe House with Peter.

With no one to please but herself, Athena cheekily wrote Swindon in for two waltzes, including the supper dance. She had not yet seen him, but she was confident he would make an appearance soon enough. However, if she was going to accept dance partners the rest of the evening, she had to agree to stand up with the gentleman now soliciting her hand at the moment. Lord Fenton.

With a nod and a prayer that Swindon would show up soon, she took to the floor with Fenton for a country dance.

“I do not see your devoted swain this evening,” the gentleman said as they went through the figures in the set. “Could it be he has found amusement elsewhere? I told you he would not make you an offer.”

“I am not concerned about His Grace’s attentions wandering,” Athena loftily replied. She had seen Lord Fenton enter the ballroom with Miles’ grandmother. “And at least he has chosen a lady closer to his age.”

“Point taken, Miss Caldwell,” he replied, unperturbed. “I employ whatever means are at my disposal to get what I want.” He did not tell her that the countess had approached him first.

“And what would that be?”

“To have anything Miles covets. Do you think I have any interest in Angelique beyond what power she has to hurt Swindon?” No power at all, as it turned out, and he had already found her another protector.

“I could see why you would,” she said, recalling the tart’s low-cut gown. “But if your interest in that female was only due to His Grace, I can only surmise that your interest in me stems from that same motivation.”

“Perhaps. Swindon always had everything handed to him on a silver platter. Including the perfect wife. Or perhaps I have found a lady that I could easily fall in love with.”

“I am flattered, my lord, I am afraid my feelings must be considered in all this. I don’t love you. To be honest, I don’t even like you. I refuse to be a pawn in your game.” The music had not ended, but she was finished dancing with him and moved to the edge of the dance floor. He quickly followed.

“Please take me back to my family,” she said with as much hauteur as she could muster. She wasn’t thinking straight and she wasn’t paying attention to where he was escorting her until she felt cool air in her face. They were on the terrace. She turned to walk back inside, but he blocked her path.

“If you truly love me, as you profess, my lord, you will allow me to pass.”

“Not just yet…”

Swindon was late, and the receiving line had already disbanded when he entered the ballroom. He spent a few moments searching for Athena, and he had finally spied her on the dance floor with Fenton, so he waited anxiously on the sidelines for the music to end. But before the dance was over, he saw Athena go somewhere with Fenton. He made to follow when his grandmother tapped him imperiously on the arm.

“I am extremely pleased not to have seen any announcements in the paper concerning you,” she said without greeting. “You are showing better judgment than I gave you credit for.”

“Just because there has been no announcement does not mean there will not be one,” he stiffly replied. Where the devil had Athena and Fenton disappeared to?

“I doubt there will be one with the lady you have in mind, at any rate. I hear she has found herself another gentleman.”

Swindon laughed. He knew Athena, and despite the hoops she was forcing him through, she would never switch her allegiance. “I should like to see that,” was all he said.

“That can be arranged,” the countess replied with an evil grin and led him off toward the terrace.

“I said, let me pass!” Athena stomped down hard on Fenton’s dancing shoe and he howled with pain. She took that moment to punch him in the jaw and he fell to his knees like a pole-axed cow.

“See?” the countess said triumphantly, throwing open the terrace doors with a flourish.

“I see,” the duke wryly replied as Athena kicked Fenton and he rolled onto his side.

Athena heard his voice and ran to him, much gratified by his appearance. “Miles! I’m so glad you are here! This idiot tried to keep me from returning to the ballroom!”

“I’m sure I cannot figure out why,” he said to his grandmother. She had turned an interesting shade of red, but instead of replying to her grandson, she approached Lord Fenton and hit him squarely on the head with her reticule.

“Imbecile! I can’t even trust you to do one simple task for me! You were supposed to compromise the chit and I come out to find you searching for four leaf clovers in the grass!” Lady Chichester gave him a kick for good measure and stomped back into the ballroom.

“I’m sorry, Miles, but I must strongly advise you not to invite her to our wedding,” Athena said softly.

“Our…We’re getting married? No new proposal? No repeat of your refusal? Your answer is now yes?”

“No, no and yes,” she said happily.

The duke wrapped his arms around her and kissed her soundly. But when it appeared as if he had no intention of stopping, Athena gently pulled away and indicated where Lord Fenton was still on the ground, moaning. “Maybe you should say something?”

“Right. Consider yourself lucky, Fenton, that I won’t call you out. Fortunately, I shall be on my honeymoon, which interferes with the thrashing you so richly deserve. I have some family weddings after I return, so if you are out of town by then, I might forget all about tracking you down. Oh, and don’t worry about the countess. Once my uncle learns of all this, her activities will be seriously curtailed.” He turned back to Athena. “Now, where were we?”

She ignored Bea’s footmen, who came out to escort Lord Fenton from the premises and stepped into Swindon’s arms once more. “Right here…”

The end

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