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“Lady Merrington, yes. Mama? Absolutely not. Did you see her face? She knows your shenanigans all too well.”

Sarah laughed. “My shenanigans? I did it for you. You should have seen your face when you realized the Duke arranged for almost every eligible bachelor within a ten-mile radius to be in attendance this afternoon.”

Eleanor noticed how some men turned and smiled when the sisters walked by. She politely tilted her head in acknowledgement and smiled back.

“I feel like a prize pig being led to slaughter.”

Sarah caught the eye of a particularly attractive young man. “Oh, and what a slaughter it will be.”

Eleanor laughed and gently pushed her sister. “Sarah! Do not let Mama hear you speak like that. Or a man for that matter. Remember what Mama says?—”

“Yes, I know. Save some mystery for the wedding night,” Sarah mockingly answered.

The girls walked in silence for moment.

“There are a lot of men here, though,” Sarah whispered conspiratorially.

Eleanor’s eyes shifted to those around her. “Maybe Lady Merrington opened up the radius to twenty miles.”

The girls giggled as they reached the refreshment table.

“Ah, Lady Eleanor, is that you?”

Eleanor looked up from her cup of punch.

On the other side of the table stood Simon Hawkins, the Viscount of Hountshire. The man whom she met at the ball they held for the Duke.

“Ah. Lord Hountshire, how lovely it is to see you.”

He raised one eyebrow in jest. “Is it? Last time we spoke for just a moment then you made up an excuse to run to your mother instead of dancing with me.”

A joking smile played along his lips causing a smile to form on Eleanor’s.

“I assure you, Lord Hountshire, it was not some elaborate rouse to leave you wanting.”

Hountshire leaned across the table. “I was hoping you would come find me after you finished your task for your mother.”

Eleanor brought her hand up in mock horror. “Oh, a lady must never go looking for trouble, Lord Hountshire.”

Hountshire and Eleanor shared a laugh. “Tell me, Lord Hountshire, are you enjoying yourself today?”

A warm smile spread across his face. “I am now, Lady Eleanor.”

Just then a cough came from Eleanor’s side. “Oh, Lord Hountshire, may I introduce you to my sister, Sarah. Sarah, this is Simon Hawkins, the Viscount of Hountshire.”

Sarah dipped her head. “Nice to meet you Lord Hountshire.”

“And you as well, Lady Sarah.”

Simon put down the plate he was holding and walked around the table. “Would you like to walk with me, Lady Eleanor?”

With a quick glance at Sarah, who nodded in approval, Eleanor slipped her hand through his offered arm.

Derek puckered his lips at the sweet punch.Good God, what do they put in this drivel?

“As I was saying, Your Grace, I think if you and I work together, we could see quite a handsome return on investment.”

Derek’s eyes were watching a certain young lady be escorted by Hountshire. He should be glad, thrilled even, but there was something bothering him about their interaction.