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“M y lady, stop fidgeting.”

Mary took a deep breath. It had been so long since she’d attended a ball. She felt the tug of the last tape of her gown being tied. Why was this taking so long? Mathers hadn’t even got to her hair yet. “What time is it?”

“Time for you to sit at the dressing table so I can finish you up.”

“What did Madame Lisette say the color of this gown was? I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“I don’t know, my lady. It reminds me of a periwinkle.”

Mary managed, just barely, to remain still as Mathers threaded a strand of pearls through her hair.

She wore the pearl and sapphire necklace she had loaned Aunt Eunice for her wedding, and pearl earrings hung on gold wires that swung when Mary moved her head.

Mathers handed Mary a lovely delicate brisé fan painted with gold and a shade of blue that matched the gown she wore. “I don’t remember purchasing this.”

“You didn’t. Mr. Featherton sent it.”

Mary slanted her dresser a look. “It’s amazing how he knew the perfect colors.”

Without batting an eye, Mathers nodded. “It is. He’s an astute gentleman.”

Pulling on her long kid gloves, Mary then added two bracelets as she thought about the trouble he must have gone to in order to have the fan painted. “You may very well be right.”

“I usually am, my lady. You have fun this evening, and be careful not to let any gentlemen take advantage of you.”

Mary kissed Mathers’s cheek. “I will.”

“I’ve told you before, my lady. You shouldn’t be doing that. ”

“And I’ve told you that no one takes care of me the way you do. You’ve been the one constant in my life.”

“You go now. That nice Mr. Featherton is waiting for you.”

Not only Kit, whose capital had just risen vastly, but many other men as well. She frowned as she thought about the ladies who had set their caps for him. Harrumph. What exactly would this evening entail? She opened the door and ran straight into the gentleman in question.

For a bare moment they stood, bodies touching. Her errant senses went wild with longing and desire. She could do it now. Reach up and kiss him.

Then he moved back a half step, and cool air replaced his heat.

He placed his hand on her shoulder. “Are you all right?”

Breathe . “Yes. It was just a shock to find you here.” That didn’t sound good. “I mean, I wasn’t expecting anyone to be right outside my door—”

His warm voice washed over her. “I’ve missed you to-day.”

Her heart thudded harder. “I felt the same.” A footman rushed by carrying a bowl of water. Why were servants always around when she didn’t want them to be? “We’d better go to the drawing room.”

Kit didn’t move. “I wish to request the first waltz, and the supper dance. Will you grant them to me?”

Was he finally going to do something to the purpose? She bit her lips to keep herself from saying something stupid. “Yes, gladly.”

He let out a breath. “Do you like the fan?”

She reminded herself he was nervous about her. “I do.” She smiled, wanting him to know she would welcome his attentions. “It’s perfect.”

“Thank you. I did hope it would be.” His lovely blue eyes reflected his words.

He placed her hand on his arm and escorted her to the drawing room as he’d done so many times before. Yet to-night was different somehow. She gave thanks to fate and the Deity. She was finally making progress.

Theo and Titus were in the drawing room awaiting their guests, when her butler, Reed, knocked and entered. His voice held a breathless note. “My lady.”

“Is something wrong? ”

“No, my lady. You have another visitor . . .”

Simon strode into the room, and all the air left in his wake. “I think I may have startled your butler.”

Oh my God! She held her hand to her mouth, unable to speak.

“Theo.” He grinned roguishly. “At least say you’ll welcome your prodigal brother.”

She flew into his arms. “Oh, good Lord, Simon. Could you not have given me some warning? I’m getting up in years, I might have had apoplexy. Does Papa know you’ve returned?”

His arms came around her, hugging her as he used to. “You can’t give me more than seven years, and I’m quite certain that’s not on death’s door. Whether Father knows depends on whether he reads his mail.”

Titus was next to her, hugging both of them and slapping her brother on his back. “Welcome home, young’un. I can’t tell you how glad we are to see you.”

Tears filled Theo’s eyes, and she was so happy she didn’t care if he’d not written. “We are just about to dine.”

Simon held her back. “And going to a ball afterward, if I’m not mistaken.”

“Yes, but you’ll want to rest.”

“Devil a bit.” He sobered. “Is she here?”

She waited. Debating whether to tell him or not. It didn’t matter. He’d discover any lies soon enough. “Yes. With her son and daughter.”

He paled. “Daughter. A girl.”

“That is what a girl is normally called,” Theo replied more tartly than she’d meant to, then gentled her tone. “Her name is Finella.”

He nodded twice. “Give me time to change, send dinner on a tray, and I’ll accompany you this evening.”

What was he thinking of doing? “Simon, are you sure?”

“I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.” He turned to go, then stopped. “I heard the old man is dead.”

“Yes, going on two years now. It is amazing he lasted that long, but her father is still alive.”

“You let me worry about him,” he said in a grim tone.

For the first time since Morna married, Theo wondered what had actually occurred between Simon and the woman he claimed to love.

The door opened and her guests strolled in, laughing and talking.

She made the introductions, then left Simon to his own devices.

He’d changed from the happy-go-lucky boy she’d known.

Still, perhaps that was not surprising considering what he had gone through.

It was time to see what kind of man he was now.

She signaled to her butler. “Send a tray up for Lord Simon, and tell him we leave in two hours.”

Kit raised his brows for a moment as Lord Simon left the room, then whispered to Mary, “Do you know anything of the brother?”

She kept her voice equally low. “Yes. I’ll tell you what happened to-day as soon as I can.” After accepting glasses of sherry from Lord Titus, Kit and Mary moved away from the rest of the group. She gazed at him as if she were particularly pleased. “I must say, I’m glad you enjoy innocent gossip.”

He grinned. “And I never repeat what I’ve heard.”

She paused, regarding him quizzically. “What a marvelous trait.”

“And?”

“This is from the horse’s mouth, as it were.” She told him about the MacDiarmid ladies arriving and what Lady Theo said afterward.

“I am amazed she would confide in people she’d just met.”

“As was I.” Mary glanced over his shoulder. “Then she told us about her brother . . .”

“If they are all at the ball together, there may be fireworks.” Normally he did not look forward to the sort of drama incidents like this caused, but for the first time since he had arrived at Rose Hill, Mary was thinking of something other than him and her.

He could only pray it would ease the tension that still existed between them.

“Indeed. Lady Theo is coming.” Mary fanned herself as her hostess strolled up.

“Lady Mary, Mr. Featherton.” One of Lady Theo’s brows rose. “You seem to be having an interesting conversation.”

“We are,” Kit answered. “We’re discussing the sites we wish to see while we’re in your lovely city.”

Thankfully, Mary smiled brightly and nodded. It occurred to him that, other than when she’d had to make up the story about the birds, he’d never heard her prevaricate.

“Well then. You must let me know when you wish to trek around Edinburgh, and I’ll arrange to have Lady Mary home in time for an excursion.”

“Thank you, my lady.” Kit inclined his head.

“Yes. Thank you,” Mary said .

Once Lady Theo ambled away, Mary gave a sigh. “I’m glad you’re quick on your feet. I never have been, except in the literal sense, that is.”

That didn’t surprise him, and he found it refreshing. “Mary, I—”

“My lords, ladies, and sir, dinner is served.”

From the corner of his eye, he saw Lord Titus approach, and quickly said, “May I escort you to the dining room?”

“I’d like nothing better.”

Kit tucked her hand in the crook of his arm. He almost laughed as Lord Titus quickly reversed direction, making his way back to his own lady.

All was right with the world. Now they had only to get through the rest of this evening.

He didn’t like the idea of Mary dancing with other men, but there was nothing he could do about it.

If he stood next to her and refused to leave her side, as Marcus had done with Phoebe, Kit would only cause talk.

Two hours later when they arrived at the ball, his worst fears were confirmed.

It was as if everyone present moved en masse toward them.

He did his best to keep Mary with him without creating a scene, but was all too soon separated from her as the Scotsmen clamored for an introduction to her and a place on her dance card.

Kit congratulated himself on his forethought in securing his sets.

Before he knew it, he was surrounded by ladies as he had never been before. He bowed and smiled as his hostess introduced him to the young women.

“Oh, Mr. Featherton,” Miss Macintyre said, fluttering her eyelashes, “I’m so glad to finally meet you.”

He bowed, taking her proffered fingers in his hand. “Entirely my pleasure.”

A tall, striking lady whom he’d already been introduced to edged her out. “Mr. Featherton, I wanted you to know I have some sets free—”

Kit struggled to keep his jaw from dropping. Dear God. Was she actually going to ask him to dance?

“Kenna,” Miss Macintyre said sharply, “Mr. Featherton was speaking with me.”

Someone needed to take these young ladies in hand.

“Mr. Featherton? ”

He turned gratefully to Lady Theo as his hostess pulled the two young females aside.

“My lady?”