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What she really needed was a few moments of solitude so she could better consider her current difficulties.

Yet Meredith keenly realized nothing short of crying fire would effectively clear Lady Olivia from the room.

Meredith instead plastered a relaxed smile upon her lips and casually turned the page of the book of poems she had been reading as if she had not a care in the world.

After counting silently to twenty, she looked up, pinning Lady Olivia with a deliberate stare.

Meredith knew the older woman was watching her closely, aching for a glimpse of her true feelings.

Did she feel remorse for her indiscretion?

Embarrassment? Delight? Though she was resigned to this most unwelcome scrutiny Meredith was as equally determined to let no hint of her inner self betray her.

“Long ago I resigned myself to enduring the unfair and unfounded arrows of jealousy slung in my direction. In all these years, not a breath of scandal has ever crossed my path, though many have tried to lay disgrace upon my doorstep. Small minds and plain faces are a most lethal combination, are they not, Lady Olivia?”

The older woman’s snide smile quickly disappeared. She hesitated, clearly trying to decide whether or not she had been directly insulted. Meredith thought it best not to give her adversary too long to dwell upon the matter and hastened toward the door.

“I greatly appreciate your call this afternoon, Lady Olivia. You have no idea how enlightening I found our conversation.”

Lady Olivia stiffened fractionally, but after a forceful nudge in her back, stepped forward.

“Good day, Lady Meredith.”

“Farewell.”

Only with the door shut firmly did Meredith allow herself to crumple. For a moment.

Even as she had kissed the marquess last night, she had realized life as she had known it would never be the same.

Yet that did not mean she had to succumb to the inevitable.

She had endured the censure of Society during her first Season and had survived the ever present undercurrent of disapproval since that time.

“Are my brothers still abed?” Meredith asked Perkins the moment the butler answered her summons.

“Yes, I believe Lord Fairhurst and Mr. Barrington have not yet left their chambers.” The butler hesitated and then added, “Considering the lateness of their arrival home last evening, it is hardly surprising.”

“Kindly inform Lord Fairhurst’s valet that I require my brother’s company in one hour’s time. I wish to go for a drive in the park, and I need his lordship to accompany me.”

The servant turned to leave, and Meredith hastily added one final order. “Oh and, Perkins, I am not at home to any more callers this afternoon. No exceptions.”

“I understand, my lady.”

This time when the door closed, Meredith felt less agitated, more in control. Somehow she would figure out a way to escape this disaster. With fortitude, courage and determination, this too could be overcome.

The morning rain had washed the London streets clean of their usual debris.

For now, the air was sweet smelling and fresh, the thoroughfare just beginning to once again team with life.

As they clipped along in the open phaeton, Meredith wished she could enjoy the smell of freshness, but her mind was too focused on the task ahead to indulge her senses in her surroundings.

“Do be careful,” Meredith calmly said to her brother Jasper, who was holding the carriage reins nonchalantly.

“There are hidden dangers in these rain puddles—deep ruts and broken cobblestones. A fractured carriage wheel will no doubt cause us a great deal of aggravation, as well as drawing an inordinate amount of unwanted attention.”

Jasper skittered sideways, neatly avoiding an ominous looking puddle. “I know what I’m doing,” he replied, crinkling his nose in disgust at the admonishment. “I’ve been driving a carriage in London for years.”

“You have also had more than one accident, if I recall,” Meredith said pointedly.

“I’ve never overturned a vehicle when I was sober,” Jasper retorted.

Meredith bit her bottom lip and held it tightly between her teeth until they rounded the next corner.

Now was not the time to begin a lecture on responsibility and acceptable behavior, especially given that her behavior last night was the reason she needed to make this fashionable appearance at the park.

So she focused her gaze instead on the high-stepping horses pulling the coach and realized she had never seen the pair before. “I do not recall seeing these animals in the stable. Are these the infamous bays you won in your bet with the marquess?”

“The very same,” Jasper replied cheerfully. “Dardington had them brought ’round first thing this morning. Aren’t they beauties?”

“Lovely,” Meredith responded dryly. “I assume I have your word as a gentleman that you will never again wager away these poor beasts?”

Jasper slanted her a jaded look. “ ’Tis hardly necessary to harp upon the matter, Merry. Jason and I have already agreed we would share the horses, therefore making it impossible for one of us to sell or otherwise dispose of them.”

Meredith turned to her brother with a cool smile. “Agreements between you and Jason are like the wind. They blow hot and cold with unfailing regularity.”

Jasper shrugged. “I cannot help it if my dear brother shows, on occasion, an utter lack of common sense. As the elder it is my responsibility to set him to rights.”

Meredith could not contain the grin that widened her smile further. “That is a fairly accurate and wholly frightening notion.”

She shook her head. If Jasper, who more often than not showed a lack of judgment and maturity when making a decision, was indeed the more responsible of the twins, then Jason should probably not be let out of the house without a keeper.

“I noticed the front parlor and entrance hall, not to mention the breakfast room and drawing room, resembled a flower shop,” Jasper said. “Could not one of your afternoon callers have taken you to the park? I assume you had several offers.”

Meredith turned to give her brother a sharp retort, reminding him that winning that ridiculous bet for him last evening was the catalyst for all of her current woes. But she caught him gazing rather wistfully at the cavalcade of horsemen riding toward the park and quickly swallowed her remarks.

“I understand escorting an old spinster sister is hardly befitting your image as a dashing rogue, but I need to be seen and acknowledged today. Since, as you so recently pointed out, you are the more responsible and respectable of my brothers, I felt the task should fall to you.”

“I will repeat, for the last time, Jason and I do not think of you as a spinster,” Jasper insisted.

“How quickly you change your tune, dear brother. Why only last evening I was considered enough of a spinster to win that ridiculous bet.”

“Ah, so that is your plan. You are determined to shed any vestiges of the spinster image and thrust yourself into the social fray on this rather soggy afternoon. That is the real reason you have dragged me out to the park today.”

Meredith felt a jolt of surprised embarrassment. Her brother’s assessment of the situation painted her in a frivolous light, and though it was completely incorrect, she realized it might be preferable to the truth.

“We are here today because I suddenly find myself to be the object of great interest, the majority of which is unfavorable. The events of last evening, specifically my kiss with the marquess, is providing the ton with an endless stream of conversation and speculation.

“The many bouquets of flowers you saw is only a prelude to the propositions I am certain will follow, now that I am thought to be easy prey to any number of unscrupulous males. That notion must be immediately dispelled.”

“What!” Jasper nearly lost control of the bays as he reacted to her disclosure. “If any of your gentlemen callers were disrespectful, you should have summoned me at once.”

“There were no gentleman callers,” Meredith stated flatly.

“After a thoroughly unpleasant and enlightening visit from Lady Olivia Dermott, I realized I was the sensation of the hour. I therefore refused to see anyone. Better to deny them the chance to imply I am no longer respectable, that my incident with the marquess has somehow left me tainted. In this instance I thought it prudent to lead the attack instead of waiting for more scandal to touch upon me.”

Jasper’s indignant expression turned to one of admiration. “Leave it to you, Merry, to know exactly how to manage the situation.”

Jasper’s approval boosted her confidence, yet Meredith knew there could be several pitfalls of disaster awaiting her. “The plan is sound, but hardly foolproof. Only the proper execution of it will deem it a success or failure.”

“Then we must make certain all goes well.” He tipped his hat to a pair of ladies who were riding in the opposite direction. They smiled cordially in return.

“Bring the carriage round to the other entrance,” Meredith instructed as they reached the park. “I want to greet the Duchess of Barlow and her friends first. If she acknowledges me, others will quickly follow.”

Meredith discreetly pointed to a trio of ladies promenading on the gravel path. Their heads were bent close beneath their fringed parasols, which did not obstruct the view of their chattering mouths.

It seemed as though the instant the carriage entered the park, all eyes turned in their direction. It took a concerted effort not to squirm in her seat, but Meredith managed. She gave her brother a quick glance, yet Jasper seemed oblivious to all the scrutiny.

“Ladies, I bid you a pleasant afternoon,” Jasper called out. He expertly guided the carriage alongside the trio of elderly women. “I hope you are enjoying the sunshine.”