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“I wondered if it might be something to do with your grandfather’s will,” she murmured coyly.

“Now what the devil do you know about that?”

“Something about you needing to be married?”

“Marianne, seriously, how do you know that? I’ll be in grave trouble should anyone find out.”

Her lips curved. “I shall not say a word, I promise, but Minerva should be cautious with whom she speaks.”

“Min is hardly a great gossip.”

“No, but she has asked your cousin Mr. Brooks for some help and I ran into him a few days ago.”

Seth scowled. Brooks was meant to be playing escort to Minerva while she fulfilled her task. So why was he still in London? He couldn’t even send word to Minerva as he was not certain where she was at this point.

“If you see Brooks again, send him my way, will you?”

She nodded. “And I shall warn him to remain quiet too.” Marianne jerked her head toward Pru. “I think you had better go and spend some time with her. No one else will approach now she has turned down the Earl of Tynebridge.”

Seth almost choked on a breath. The damned Earl of Tynebridge had approached her? How had he missed that? The man was closer to Pru’s age than Seth was and considered one of the most eligible men of theton.

Something hot and spikey darted through him. A sensation he’d never felt until he’d seen her outside of the house of a known rake. A time when he’d not known she was a widow. Of course, he’d put it down to feeling protective of her, but this was no protective instinct. This was something else.

Damn it, this was jealousy.

The country dance ended and Marianne offered a smile that held too much knowledge behind it. “Perhaps you ought to see if you can persuade her to dance with you.”

“Perhaps,” he muttered, offering Marianne a bow and an apologetic smile.

He backed away and found himself edging around the room toward Pru. Lord, he hated to be so damned predictable but he needed to be near her.

Anyway, had he not promised her a pleasant night? By all accounts, it did not look like she was having much fun. This was nothing to do with scaring away potential suitors and everything to do with ensuring she had a good time.

He smiled to himself. Yes, that was it. He was simply feeling guilty that he had dragged her away from her studies to this frivolous party that clearly brought her no joy.

Another gentleman glanced Pru’s way. That sharp dart lodged itself in his gut.

No. It was jealousy. Goddamn it. Why should he be feeling jealous over Pru? Hell, the woman only just tolerated him by his reckoning.

Gaze fixed on the dancing, she spared him a quick sideways look when he approached. “There are women left sitting,” she commented, nodding toward some of the younger ladies who had not found a dance partner for the minuet.

“There is a lady here, standing.”

“Oh, I have no intention of dancing.”

“I noticed.” He turned fully toward her, taking in the way the curls danced against her neck and framed her features. It was a charming effect and yet…and yet he longed to see her with her hair pulled into that no-nonsense style she favored. “I thought you were going to make an effort tonight.”

“I am here, am I not? I am even wearing a suitable evening gown.”

“As I said, you look beautiful.”

Color tinged her cheeks. Seth could not help smile at her blush. As practical as this woman was, apparently she was not entirely immune to flattery.

She fingered the skirt of her gown. “I only wore this so I did not embarrass you too much.”

“Well, you have my thanks. But I’d far rather you wore a plain gown and actually agreed to dance with me.”

She sighed and twisted to view him. “I am trying, honestly, but I haven’t danced in many years and have forgotten most of the steps.” She smirked. “One does not get much chance when studying.”