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“Your name is Mr. Cormac Cavendish. Grandson of the Duke of Gordon. Who you are is whoever you wish to be.”

The next morning, Kit handed Mary into his curricle, then dashed back into the house for the all-important guidebook.

“Where have Kit and Mary gone?” Kit heard Huntley ask from the breakfast room.

“I believe they are viewing Holyrood Palace to-day,” Caro answered.

“What the deuce is he trying to do? Bore the woman to death?”

Caro’s laughter floated on the air. “No, my love. He’s trying to keep her away from all the other gentlemen.”

Kit was indeed. The only problem was he didn’t know if Mary liked his company as a suitor or merely a friend. The latter was not what he wanted. Somehow he’d have to make her see him as a potential husband.

Forty minutes later, they reached the palace.

“It’s beautiful,” Mary said, staring up at the facade.

“I’ve heard the French renovated the King’s chamber when the Count d’Artois was here. Did you know he used the abbey sanctuary to avoid his creditors?” Thankfully, Kit had read the guidebook.

“I did hear something about it, though I was too young to understand it at the time.” He lifted her out of the curricle. “I love that they allow debtors to remain there and not go to prison.”

“I take it you do not agree with the current law.”

“Definitely not. It seems to me to be grossly unfair.”

He led her through the main door, and handed the porter the entrance fee. “I agree. The inability to manage one’s funds should not be a crime. What would you like to see first?”

“The Queen’s chambers. I hear they are magnificent.”

They spent the next two hours touring the inside of the sixteenth-century palace, before strolling through the courtyard garden. He was surprised, and pleased, to find almost no one else present. “Mary, I believe there is to be a drum this evening. Will you save me the same waltzes as last night?”

“I’d be delighted to.” She glanced up at him, mischief twinkling in her eyes. “Won’t the hostess be upset?”

He held back an exasperated growl. “They’ll have to make do. ”

As they were about to stroll back to the carriage, the sound of tittering could be heard. “Don’t look now, but I think we’re about to be invaded.” He tightened his grip on Mary. “Whatever happens, don’t let go of me.”

Kit seemed so appalled Mary wanted to chuckle, until she saw the trio approaching. The one in the lead was the young lady she had attempted to warn off yesterday.

“Oh, Mr. Featherton!” A girl dressed in a profusion of lace and ruffles quickened her step. “How unexpected to see you here.”

Unexpected, my foot . The two ladies with the girl giggled, giving lie to her exclamation of surprise. How on earth did they find him? They must have learned where she and Kit were during morning visits.

He bowed. “Indeed, Lady Mary and I were just leaving. Enjoy the gardens.”

The girl’s face fell ludicrously, and it was all Mary could do not to laugh as Kit steered her quickly down the path toward the palace. If she had acted like that during her first Season, no wonder he hadn’t given her the time of day. “One would think they’d still be engaged in morning visits.”

“Obviously”—he shuddered—“someone forgot to lock them in, and they escaped.”

“Oh dear.” She fought to force down the burble of laughter. “I never thought to hear you say anything like that.”

“I’ve never been chased quite as diligently as I was last night.

” Kit gave her a rueful smile. “One young lady even attempted to follow me to the gentlemen’s retiring room.

It’s enough to put one off the Season.” Fortunately, they didn’t have to wait long for the curricle to be brought around.

“I have much more sympathy for my friends who’ve had ladies set their caps at them.

” Once they were seated on the bench, his brow furrowed as he threaded the ribbons through his fingers.

“I can’t imagine how hard it’s been for you, dodging your cousin. ”

Surprisingly, Mary hadn’t thought about Gawain in several days. “I’m glad that appears to be over.”

What was bothering her was the thought that some female might manage to compromise Kit just as they seemed to becoming closer. She straightened her shoulders. Obviously it fell to her to protect him. Yet how to do that when they were both expected to dance and spend time with others ?

Rose Hill, Northumberland, England

Eunice held a cup of tea in her hands as she gazed at the handsome countenance of her husband. They had been married just over a week. “When do you wish to move into our own home?”

Brian looked up from his plate. “As soon as you have everything the way you want it.” His eyes sparkled wickedly. “It’s the bathing tub that’s calling to you, is it not?”

“Naturally, what else could it be? Although I believe a vessel that extravagant should have a grander name.”

His lips twitched. “Perhaps we should call it Venus’s pool.”

She met his smile with one of her own. “Seriously though, the staff has been hired, and all the changes we discussed are completed. I had thought to wait until my mother arrived, but we can easily have them directed to our home.”

That was wonderful to be able to say. The house she’d lived in with Roger had been part of his father’s estate, and not theirs.

Yesterday she and Brian had visited the solicitor, and Brian had ensured that if he predeceased her, she would receive the house and a generous income for the rest of her life.

“To-morrow then?”

She nodded. “I’ll send word to-day and have most of our trunks taken over.”

“When,” he asked, “will the rest of your things arrive?”

“There is not that much, but I expect them in a week or so. I’ve received letters from my children. I imagine some of them will find an excuse to visit.”

“Ah yes. They’ll want to inspect me. We could always invite them.”

She shook her head. “No, I’m going to have too much fun listening to the reasons they come up with to visit.”

“You’re a wicked woman,” he said in a fond tone as he finished the last of his breakfast. He rose, then kissed her.

“I must be off to the church. By the by, don’t forget you’re now in charge of the schedule for the altar flowers, and head of the Committee for the Betterment of the Poor of Our Community. ”

And, she was sure, anything else that could be given to her as well. Strangely, she was looking forward to all of it. “I know. I put the meetings off until next week. ”

He raised his brows. “Still hoping your mother will show up soon?”

“She is close. I can feel it in my bones. I just wish I knew what was going on with Kit and Mary.”

“Well, that makes two of us.” He kissed her again. This time instead of a peck on her cheek, he lifted her into his arms, tilted his head and plundered.

Her blood heated as his hand cupped her breast, and she wanted nothing more than to drag him back to bed. Suddenly, he broke the kiss. “There, that should keep you until this evening.”

“You . . . I can’t believe . . .” Before she could get out a coherent sentence, he patted her derrière and left the room, laughing.

Oooh, two could play at that game. He’d be very sorry he had left her wanting.

Later that day, as Eunice was changing for dinner and planning her revenge on her husband, the sounds of coaches and stamping horses drifted from the front of the house. “My love, we have company.”

He strode out from the dressing room he’d been using. “Sounds like a company, if not a battalion. You stay here. I’ll find out who it is.”

“I’ll come.” She fastened her earring. “It may be Mama. She is long overdue, and I’ve begun to worry a little.”

They reached the bottom of the main staircase as Simons opened the door. One footman in Bridgewater livery handed out the Dowager Lady Featherton, while another supported Mama.

Eunice hurried forward. “What took you so long?”

Her mother kissed her cheeks. “The ogre.”

Lady Featherton grinned. “We finally lost the blackguard. Now where are the children?”

“Gone with their friends to Edinburgh.” Eunice linked her arm with her mother, leading her into the drawing room, as Brian escorted Lady Featherton in and closed the door behind them. “I believe the thinking was that Mr. Featherton would have an easier time courting Mary there rather than here.”

“Oh my.” Lady Featherton pursed her lips. “I take it all did not go as planned.”

Eunice raised a brow. “If you mean, you thought she would give up all her fantasies about a Season, and being courted, and falling in love . . . No, it did not go as planned.” She glanced at the door.

“Be careful what you say around the servants. They believe Kit and Mary are wed. I’ll ask Cook to hold back dinner for a half hour so that you can refresh yourselves. ”

When they reached the top of the stairs, Mama looked at Brian as if she were just seeing him, and stopped. “And who might you be?”

He bowed. “Mr. Brian Doust, rector, Your Grace. I take it you’re my new mother-in-law.”

“Well, at least someone got married,” Mama groused. “I want to hear all about it over dinner.”

Simons looked at Eunice. “Which bedchambers, my lady?”

“The Blue Room and the Green Room. We’ve been keeping them ready. I’ll show them up. Please see to places for their servants.”

“Yes, my lady.”

Two hours later, she, Brian, Mama, and Lady Featherton sat in the drawing room sipping tea.

“There you have the whole story.” Eunice, eschewing tea for wine, took a sip. “Brian and I have been waiting for your arrival before moving to our new house.”

Lady Featherton slowly shook her head. “We made a mull of this one, Constance.”

“We’ll come about,” Mama said. “Though I believe we should stay here for two or three days before traveling to Edinburgh.”

“Perhaps you should wait until we receive word that Lady Mary and Mr. Featherton have wed,” Brian suggested. “I’m afraid neither of them is happy with you at the moment.”

“We shall take your advice, Mr. Doust,” Lady Featherton said. “Better to let them work it out from here. I don’t wish to distract them from each other.”

Mama frowned. “We’ll see. I’m concerned about Tolliver though. I’d like to make sure he’s nowhere around Mary.”

“I’ll write to Mary and ask how she is enjoying the Season,” Eunice suggested. With any luck at all, they would receive good news. “In the meantime, do not become too comfortable here. Brian and I are moving into our home to-morrow, and we’d like you to stay with us.”

He glanced at her, a look of longing in his eyes. Ah well, even if they were not able to be alone, at least they’d have the bathing tub.