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“Perhaps you can offer some advice. I’m worried Society won’t be kind since he is my guardian.”

“Society is seldom kind.” Mrs. Renshaw sent a sharp glance toward the ballroom. “You are right to be concerned. However, happiness trumps everything else. You’re fortunate to be marrying an earl. People will overlook a great many transgressions for such a lofty rank.”

“That hardly seems fair.”

Mrs. Renshaw gave her a wry look. “When is anything fair?”

Fiona started back toward the ballroom. “I do hope you’ll keep my news a secret for now. We have not discussed anything. I only just accepted his proposal this evening.”

Mrs. Renshaw fell into step beside her. “Of course. I am not like most of Society. I know how to keep confidences, and I value friendship.”

“Thank you.” Fiona smiled at her askance, glad to have another friend.

They stepped into the ballroom, and Prudence immediately came toward them. Fiona introduced the two women, and Mrs. Renshaw took her leave.

“I saw Lord Gregory come back to the ballroom and then he left immediately. He appeared quite distressed. Was he devastated by your news?” Prudence’s eyes were lined with worry.

“He was disappointed, but that’s not why he left. He received a summons to return home at once without any explanation.”

“I do hope it’s nothing serious.”

“As do I.” Fiona saw Cassandra striding toward them from the ladies’ side of the ballroom.

“There you are at last!” Cassandra said as she arrived at Fiona’s side. “Where did you go after dancing with Overton?”

“We strolled in the garden, and I accepted his proposal of marriage.”

Cassandra’s eyes rounded, and her jaw dropped. She let out a sound of joy that provoked a few people near them to turn their heads in curiosity.

Fiona turned toward the corner and motioned for Cassandra and Prudence to follow. She looked to Cassandra. “We haven’t announced anything yet.”

“Certainly. I didn’t mean to react so…exuberantly. I’m just so shocked! What happened?”

“I realized, rather belatedly, that I have fallen in love with him, and thankfully he has with me as well.”

“How wonderfully convenient and orderly.” Cassandra grinned. Then her eyes narrowed. “You were gone an awfully long time. I danced two sets.”

“Prudence was quick enough to tell anyone who inquired that I wasn’t feeling well. And I made sure I was seen in the retiring room. Have I completely ruined my reputation?”

“That depends on if you were seen in the garden with Overton and whether anyone put that together with your subsequent absence for an hour or however long you were gone. If you announce your betrothal quickly, perhaps tomorrow, all should be well.”

Fiona relaxed, her body loosening from a tension she hadn’t realized she’d been carrying since returning to the ball. Probably because she’d also been too giddy to notice. “That is exceptionally good to hear.”

Seeing Cassandra reminded Fiona that her brother had been upstairs.

With a courtesan. She pondered whether she ought to tell Cassandra.

On the one hand, he was her brother, and on the other, his…

private affairs were just that—private. Even if he was married and shouldn’t have been dallying with a courtesan.

Fiona decided it wasn’t her place to involve herself.

Glancing toward the wide doorway from the staircase hall, she wondered when Tobias would come downstairs and how they would need to act toward each other. It would be very difficult when all she wanted to do was to proclaim to the world that he was hers and she was his.

As if conjured from her thoughts, Tobias came toward them. He wore an absurdly bright smile that reflected Fiona’s joy.

He was not alone. Lord Lucien was at his side, and if Tobias looked utterly delighted, Lord Lucien was the personification of irritated. His brow was deeply furrowed and his jaw clenched.

“Where is he?” Lord Lucien demanded of his sister without preamble.

“Who?” Cassandra appeared perplexed.

“Don’t be clever. Wexford. Why were you dancing with him?”

Lord Lucien was angry because his sister was dancing with someone? Who was Wexford? Fiona looked to Tobias, who barely shook his head, his eyes silently communicating that he’d explain later.

“As if it’s any of your concern, I was avoiding an overzealous gentleman.

” Cassandra’s eyes glittered with an ire that seemed to match her brother’s.

“Actually, perhaps it is your concern, since this is your club. Mr. Upton had clearly over-imbibed and was not accepting my refusal to promenade in the garden.”

“Sounds as though Wexford performed a great service,” Tobias said genially.

“Wexford should have taken Upton into the garden for a beating.” Lord Lucien’s mouth twisted. “I’ll speak with him later. And with Upton.” He exhaled. “I’m relieved to discover the dance was nothing more than that.”

“And if it had been, it still wouldn’t have been your business.

I don’t know why you and Con and Father seem to think you can manage every part of my life.

I won’t tolerate it.” Cassandra glanced toward Fiona.

“I’m for the retiring room.” She left in the direction of the ladies’ side of the ballroom.

“Perhaps you should go with her,” Fiona suggested to Prudence.

Prudence flicked a glance toward Tobias before saying, “It seems you’re the one I should stay with.”

Fiona laughed softly. “I promise I will stay right here.”

Prudence hesitated but ultimately departed after Cassandra. Lord Lucien, who continued to frown, turned to Tobias and Fiona. “Allow me to offer my most heartfelt congratulations. However, I hope you’ll excuse me.”

“Thank you and yes.” Tobias gave him a meaningful look. “You heard what your sister said.”

“That I’m like my brother and father? Yes.” A slight tremor passed over him. “I’m going to find Upton.” He stalked off.

“Uh-oh, alone again,” Tobias murmured, moving to stand as close to her as propriety would allow. His fingers grazed hers.

“You can hardly call this alone.” She swept her gaze over the crowded ballroom and smiled.

“I suppose not. I’m just glad to be with you again, hopeless as that sounds.”

She couldn’t keep herself from staring into his eyes. “I feel the same.”

“Were you able to speak with Lord Gregory?”

“I was. He was disappointed, but he was also glad for me.”

“What did you tell him?”

“That my heart was engaged elsewhere. He wanted to ensure my feelings were reciprocated. I assured him they were.”

“If there is any question, my love,” he whispered, “let me confirm that I adore you most fervently. Did you tell him I was the gentleman who stole you away?”

Fiona briefly clasped his fingers and hated to let them go. “You didn’t steal me—I willingly chose you. I did not tell him it was you. We did not discuss anything about getting married, and I didn’t want to inadvertently spread gossip about myself.”

He chuckled. “An excellent consideration. We can send the announcement to the newspapers tomorrow and have the banns read on Sunday.”

“But then we’ll have to wait three weeks, and that will be after the twelfth.”

“I already told you I don’t need to wed by then. Anyway, something tells me the new owner of Horethorne will invite me to visit often.” His eyes gleamed with mirth.

“I want you to be the owner.” She almost touched his mouth when he parted his lips to argue. “I feel very strongly about this—it was your mother’s house, and it should be yours.”

“That is incredibly wonderful of you. However, all that matters to me is that our son or daughter inherits it someday.”

“We are agreed on that.” It was a struggle not to put her arms around him, to kiss him, to hold him. “I have an alternate idea to reading the banns on Sunday. What if we eloped to Gretna Green? I understand that’s something you’ve longed to do.”

He laughed a bit loudly, and again some people around them turned their heads. “I must admit that holds an appeal. I know how much you’d love to travel.”

“Especially with you. If we leave tomorrow, we can surely arrive and marry before the twelfth. Then you will have met your father’s deadline.”

He stared into her eyes. “You mean this in earnest.” At her effusive nod, he took her hand and brought it to his lips. “Yes. I’ll elope with you to Gretna Green tomorrow.” He kissed her knuckles and reluctantly released her.

Heat sparked along her hand and arm and spread, making her body hum with desire. “Well, in that case, I think we should go home and get some rest in anticipation of our journey.”

“Another excellent idea. We should probably also pack.”

“Let me stop into the retiring room to tell Prudence and Cassandra we are leaving.” She hesitated. “What about Prudence? What will happen to her now that I am getting married?”

“She will become companion to another young lady. I’ll ensure she’s taken care of until then.”

“Perhaps Cassandra’s father would hire her.” Fiona suspected she would have a bit less time to spend with her friend after marrying Tobias, and she worried that Cassandra would be lonely. Actually, she already worried that Cassandra was lonely. “Would you speak to Lord Lucien about it?”

“Anything for you, my love,” he murmured. “It’s an excellent idea—for both Miss Lancaster and Lady Cassandra. You are a wonderful friend. But then I would expect nothing less.”

His words warmed her. “Shall I meet you in the entry?”

“No, let’s leave in a way that will garner less attention,” he said. “Can you meet me downstairs?”

“Now who has the brilliant idea? I’m so pleased to be marrying such a clever gentleman. What a fortunate young woman I am.”

His eyes gleamed with love and pride. “The fortune is all mine.”