Page 23

“Daff's the best,” Benedict agreed.

Colin nodded. “Capital girl. Really good sport.”

There was an awkward pause, and then Simon said, “Well, good sport or not, I'm not going over there to save her, because she told me quite specifically that your mother forbade her ever to be seen in my presence.”

“Mother said that?” Colin asked. “You must really have a black reputation.”

“A good portion of it undeserved,” Simon muttered, not entirely certain why he was defending himself.

“That's too bad,” Colin murmured. “I'd thought to ask you to take me 'round.”

Simon foresaw a long and terrifyingly roguish future for the boy.

Anthony's fist found its way to the small of Simon's back, and he started to propel him forward. “I'm sure Mother will change her mind given the proper encouragement. Let's go.”

Simon had no choice but to walk toward Daphne. The alternative required making a really big scene, and Simon had long since learned that he didn't do well with scenes. Besides, if he'd been in Anthony's position, he probably would have done the exact same thing.

And after an evening with the Featherington sisters and the like, Daphne didn't sound half-bad.

“Mother!” Anthony called out in a jovial voice as they approached the viscountess. “I haven't seen you all evening.”

Simon noticed that Lady Bridgerton's blue eyes lit up when she saw her son approaching. Ambitious Mama or not, Lady Bridgerton clearly loved her children.

“Anthony!” she said in return. “How nice to see you. Daphne and I were just chatting with Lord Macclesfield.”

Anthony sent Lord Macclesfield a commiserating look. “Yes, I see.”

Simon caught Daphne's eye for a moment and gave his head the tiniest shake. She responded with an even tinier nod, sensible girl that she was.

“And who is this?” Lady Bridgerton inquired, her eyes lighting upon Simon's face.

“The new Duke of Hastings,” Anthony replied. “Surely you remember him from my days at Eton and Oxford.”

“Of course,” Lady Bridgerton said politely.

Macclesfield, who had been keeping scrupulously quiet, quickly located the first lull in the conversation, and burst in with, “I think I see my father.”

Anthony shot the young earl an amused and knowing glance. “Then by all means, go to him.”

The young earl did, with alacrity.

“I thought he detested his father,” Lady Bridgerton said with a confused expression.

“He does,” Daphne said baldly.

Simon choked down a laugh. Daphne raised her brows, silently daring him to comment.

“Well, he had a terrible reputation, anyway,” Lady Bridgerton said.

“There seems to be quite a bit of that in the air these days,” Simon murmured.

Daphne's eyes widened, and this time Simon got to raise his brows, silently daring her to comment.

She didn't, of course, but her mother gave him a sharp look, and Simon had the distinct impression that she was trying to decide whether his newly acquired dukedom made up for his bad reputation.

“I don't believe I had the chance to make your acquaintance before I left the country, Lady Bridgerton,” Simon said smoothly, “but I am very pleased to do so now.”

“As am I.” She motioned to Daphne. “My daughter Daphne.”

Simon took Daphne's gloved hand and laid a scrupulously polite kiss on her knuckles. “I am honored to officially make your acquaintance, Miss Bridgerton.”

“Officially?” Lady Bridgerton queried.

Daphne opened her mouth, but Simon cut in before she could say anything. “I already told your brother about our brief meeting earlier this evening.”

Lady Bridgerton's head turned rather sharply in Daphne's direction. “You were introduced to the duke earlier this evening? Why did you not say anything?”

Daphne smiled tightly. “We were rather occupied with the earl. And before that, with Lord Westborough. And before that, with—”

“I see your point, Daphne,” Lady Bridgerton ground out.

Simon wondered how unforgivably rude it would be if he laughed.

Then Lady Bridgerton turned the full force of her smile on him—and Simon quickly learned where Daphne got that wide, wide smile from—and Simon realized that Lady Bridgerton had decided that his bad reputation could be overlooked.

A strange light appeared in her eye, and her head bobbed back and forth between Daphne and Simon.

Then she smiled again.

Simon fought the urge to flee.

Anthony leaned over slightly, and whispered in his ear, “I am so sorry.”

Simon said between clenched teeth, “I may have to kill you.”

Daphne's icicle glare said that she'd heard both of them and was not amused.

But Lady Bridgerton was blissfully oblivious, her head presumably already filling with images of a grand wedding.

Then her eyes narrowed as she focused on something behind the men. She looked so overwhelmingly annoyed that Simon, Anthony, and Daphne all twisted their necks to see what was afoot.

Mrs. Featherington was marching purposefully in their direction, Prudence and Philipa right behind. Simon noticed that Penelope was nowhere to be seen.

Desperate times, Simon quickly realized, called for desperate measures. “Miss Bridgerton,” he said, whipping his head around to face Daphne, “would you care to dance?”

Chapter 5

Were you at Lady Danbury's ball last night? If not, shame on you. You missed witnessing quite the most remarkable coup of the season. It was clear to all partygoers, and especially to This Author, that Miss Daphne Bridgerton has captured the interest of the newly returned to England Duke of Hastings.