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U pon Serena’s and Valora’s return home, their mother asked, “Where have you ladies been all afternoon? You should rest before Lady Skye’s ball tonight.”

Valora flopped down on the settee in the drawing room and let Serena answer their mother.

“We were at the Marlowes, visiting with Lady Claire and Tiffany. Claire is sad because Dayton left for India and she is worried about him. He’s set out to make his fortune. He and Lord Rockwell Ware, Ivy’s brother, have bought a diamond mine. Claire thinks the mine is a dangerous undertaking, and she needed cheering up.” Serena hated lying to her mother, but Lady Vale would never understand their desire for something other than tea and embroidery.

“Well, I have organized Deidre to press and lay out your gowns for tonight. You’ll have time for a light supper and a rest before we depart.”

“Do we have to go?” Valora whined. “I’m tired. I haven’t had a night at home all week.”

“Lord Northbrook will be there,” her mother replied.

“I’m not interested in Northbrook and he’s far too young to be thinking about marriage, Mother.”

Serena wished she could help Valora, but it was best if she remained quiet. Her mother had given up hope of her ever marrying, as she hadn’t exactly been flooded with offers. Valora, on the other hand, was in great demand.

“Why are you not pushing Serena to marry like you are me?” Valora queried incredulously.

“Because I already know who she will marry when he is ready.”

Serena’s mouth fell open. “I beg your pardon.”

Her mother waved her hand at Serena, dismissing her. “We all know you’ll marry Lord Julian when he asks you. I’m sure it will be soon. Lord Grenville is putting pressure on the young bachelors within parliament to marry. And didn’t Lord Julian send you the most beautiful flowers this morning?” She frowned. “You should thank him in person. He’s in the library with Axton.”

Her older brother, Axton, was also in parliament and the two men were firm friends.

“And what makes you think I’ll accept?” She hated how everyone just assumed she’d marry Julian. Although if she was to marry, the only man she wanted was Julian.

Both her mother and Valora laughed. “If the look on your face at the ball last night when he danced with Lady Penelope is anything to go by,” her sister said, “you want to marry him.”

Her mother’s smile dimmed at Valora’s teasing. “He danced with Lady Penelope?”

“He danced the waltz with Lady Penelope,” Valora added.

“Oh, dear. Oh, dear.” Lady Vale jumped to her feet and paced. “That can’t be good.”

“Mother, do calm down. He told me Lord Grenville asked him to dance with her.”

At Serena’s words, her mother shrieked. “That’s even worse. It means Grenville is pushing him toward Lady Penelope. And Lord Julian is your last hope.”

Serena’s gaze flew to Valora. Her sister seemed just as worried. “Julian would never marry another.” But as soon as Serena said the words, she wondered. He’d never shown the remotest interest in her romantically. He’d never tried to kiss her. Heavens, even cramped together yesterday in the roof space, he’d not taken advantage. Furthermore, a marriage to Lady Penelope would open doors she never could.

“You most definitely will attend the ball tonight. You will engage with Lord Julian and find out what his intentions are,” her mother stated firmly.

“How am I supposed to do that? I can’t simply ask him if he wants to marry me.” Serena may not want him to marry another, but she wasn’t about to make herself seem desperate. She needed Julian to fervently want to marry her. She needed him to profess his love for her. She gulped back a cry, as her heart lurched in her chest. Oh, dear. She’d had no appreciation of her predicament; she was in love with Lord Julian.

Lady Vale turned to her and added, “Take a stroll out onto the terrace during the ball and see what happens.”

This time, Serena stood to face her mother. “I hope you are not suggesting I compromise myself. I will not marry any man who doesn’t love me. I’d rather be alone.”

“Stupid girl. You do not know what you are saying. What will you do for money? Your brother is generous, but what happens when he dies, God forbid? And what about children? How can you not want children?” asked her mother softly.

There was the rub. She did want children—with Julian. Hadn’t she always gone after what she wanted? Well, if she wanted Julian, she would jolly well get him. “You’re right, mother. I will talk to Julian tonight. I’ll at least find out if he’s even considering me.” With that, she stalked across the room, flung the door wide…and walked straight into a solid male chest. She looked up into eyes so familiar, her heart soared and she almost threw herself into his arms.

“Always in a hurry, Serena,” Julian teased. “I was just visiting with Axton and discussing yesterday’s victory and what it means. Our navy is going to be busy.”

“My apologies, Julian.” She didn’t want to talk just now. She had her article to write and a seduction to plan and as she did not know how to even begin, she needed to think. “We can talk more tonight. I’d like a rest before I have to dress for Lady Skye’s ball.”

He silently watched her before saying, “You do look a tad tired. Will you promise me the first waltz tonight?”

Her heart lifted, and she did something she’d never done before. She flirted with him. “Of course. You know I always save the waltz for you,” she said, touching his chest with her hand as she brushed past and headed up the stairs without looking back. And perhaps her hips swayed a little more than normal.

What the hell was that? Julian thought to himself as he took his leave of Vale’s town house and walked the two doors home. Julian still lived at the family home. He had decided not to take bachelor apartments, as he particularly cared for his home comforts. With his busy work in parliament, he enjoyed the efforts of the many staff employed by his father, the Marquess of Lorne, to look after his needs.

Serena had looked at him differently just now. She’d also touched him, and she never touched him. And that lovely round bottom of hers was definitely swaying up the stairs for his benefit. He chuckled. Courtney’s advice about making Serena take note of the fact he was an eligible gentleman would appear to be working. He’d not planned to dance with Lady Penelope, but when Grenville suggested it, he thought of Courtney’s advice and decided why not? Obviously, he’d not repeat the dance with Lady Penelope tonight or she and the ton might get the wrong idea.

He would marry Serena. And her little demonstration just now gave him hope that Serena was thinking the same way.

Perhaps it was time to get her alone on the terrace and see what happened. Perhaps it was time to push her toward thinking about marriage—to him.