“Spiteful witch,” Lavinia muttered beneath her breath, when they had gained a fair distance. “She’s jealous because she’s heard Julian Wingate offered for you. She’s been trying all season to bring him up to scratch for that mousy daughter of hers and having no success.”

“Is that what they were discussing? Julian Wingate?” Meredith was almost glad she had been ignoring the conversation.

“Lady Olivia is more than welcome to him. For the life of me, I cannot understand his great popularity. I find him boorish, conceited, and possessing of a negative opinion about everything. Except himself. It took every ounce of willpower not to run screaming from the room each time he came calling for me.”

“Most women find his charm nearly irresistible.” Lavinia struck a pose of contemplation, then grinned. “’Tis rather remarkable that you aren’t considered a great social success, yet you have managed to garner three proposals of marriage.”

“Four, if you include Wingate. But I am not so foolish to think anything but my vast fortune has attracted their attention.” Meredith smiled despite her grim words.

“There are still a few more weeks left until everyone retires to the country, or follows the Regent to Brighton. I fear that number will increase before I can escape.”

“We should make a game of it and see how many proposals you can accumulate,” Lavinia said smoothly.

Meredith’s spine went stiff. She turned to her friend in astonishment, but the mischievous twinkle in Lavinia’s eyes let Meredith know she was only jesting. “I suppose if I managed an even half dozen, that would put a flea in Lady Olivia’s ear.”

“Most definitely.”

The two women exchanged a sly glance, then burst into merry laughter.

“We need to find you someone like my Trevor,” Lavinia declared when the laughter subsided. “The problem is, there is simply no other man in England quite so perfect.”

As if somehow aware he was the topic of their conversation, the Marquess of Dardington appeared within the scope of their vision. Meredith spotted him first, but she knew it would be only a moment before Lavinia saw him, too.

The marquess was conversing with several gentlemen of various ages. Though not the tallest of the group, he was the one Meredith’s eyes were drawn toward. Golden-haired, with a fine sharp profile, broad shoulders and an undefinable dash of charisma, he enraptured those around him.

He was dressed more conservatively than his companions, in buff breeches, a patterned waistcoat, and jacket of navy superfine, yet it wasn’t his imposing handsomeness Meredith found so extraordinary. There was an underlying strength of character in Trevor Morely that had always intrigued her.

His mannerism, his attitude, his conversation all indicated he was a man who could be depended upon in times of crisis. Having grown up with a father who adored her but was hardly known for his sense of responsibility, Meredith found this a most admirable quality.

That, along with his obvious love for and devotion to his wife, made him one of the few men in Society with whom Meredith was truly interested in forming a friendship.

“Trevor.”

The sound was a mere whisper, but the emotion in that single name told Meredith Lavinia had indeed seen her husband. Meredith knew it was impossible, but somehow the marquess either heard or sensed his wife’s voice, for his head turned away from his male companion and toward Lavinia.

His attention grew fixed, centered completely on his lovely wife, though he stood several yards away. Meredith watched in fascination as the couple’s eyes first met and then held. For an instant, something dark and intense burned in the marquess’s gaze.

Blushing, Lavinia lowered her head.

Meredith abruptly glanced away. The emotion and longing on the marquess’s face had startled her, and she somehow felt as though she had intruded on a very personal, private moment—which was rather ridiculous, considering the number of people surrounding them.

Though she had witnessed it many times in the past, Meredith was once again struck by the closeness the pair radiated, even when standing so physically far apart.

Still, a slow smile spread over Meredith’s face. She might not entirely understand their relationship, but it made her happy to see the lightness that seemed to lift Lavinia’s heart whenever she saw her husband.

“My goodness, I just felt you shiver.” Meredith reached out and grasped her friend’s arm. “Are you cold, Lavinia?”

“Not at all.” A host of emotions crossed her face.

“ ’Tis Trevor. My husband can reduce me to a puddle of shivers with a single glance. Isn’t it marvelous?”

Truthfully, Meredith thought that sounded rather ridiculous, but she wasn’t about to hurt her dear friend’s feelings by saying anything.

“Actually it sounds rather uncomfortable. Here, take my shawl. ’Tis a warm afternoon, but there is a bit of a breeze.

Those short puffs of sleeves on your lavender gown are charming, but offer no protection. ”

“I’m really not cold,” Lavinia protested, refusing the garment.

Meredith sighed, but did not press the matter.

She heard Lavinia catch her breath as a second shiver went through the marchioness.

Meredith turned her head, scanning the faces of those who ambled by, pretending to be completely absorbed by the strolling crowd.

It seemed a better alternative than watching the woman at her side turn into a shivering puddle of lust.

However, at the marchioness’s third shiver, Meredith found she could no longer ignore the situation.

“Lavinia!”

“All right, I’ll take your shawl.”

“We both know that is not the cause of your shuddering,” Meredith retorted, her eyes narrowing.

Lavinia fixed her with an innocent look. “Nevertheless, it would not hurt to take special care of myself. Trevor is most solicitous of my health these days.”

“Have you been ill?”

“Goodness, no.” Lavinia waved away Meredith’s obvious concern as she adjusted the distinctively patterned silk shawl around her shoulders. “I have never felt better. Nor been happier.” The marchioness grinned slyly. “It appears I am in an interesting condition.”

Meredith frowned. “Interesting?”

“Rather interesting.”

Meredith’s frown deepened, as Lavinia stared expectantly at her. She knew the marchioness was trying to tell her something, and by the look of her it was a fairly significant something. Yet Meredith was completely puzzled.

After a few moments of silence, Lavinia rolled her eyes good-naturedly and laughed. “For an intelligent, quick-witted young woman, you can be a real slowtop at times.” The marchioness pressed her hand gently against her stomach. “An interesting condition.”

Meredith’s jaw dropped. “Good lord!”

A dreamy expression flitted across Lavinia’s lovely features.

“Isn’t it miraculous? A baby. Trevor and I have been congratulating ourselves all week for being such a clever pair.

” She sighed deeply. “We haven’t told anyone yet.

It has been our own wonderful secret. But we are dining tonight with Trevor’s father and can hardly wait to inform the duke. ”

Meredith’s throat tightened. “I am honored you saw fit to share this news with me.”

Lavinia tilted her head in surprise. “You are my dearest friend. Of course I would share my special secret with you.” The marchioness linked her arm with Meredith’s as the two woman began to stroll toward a cluster of guests.

“I know I can count on your discretion. While I am thrilled about my condition, I prefer not to share it with the world.

“The rules restricting the movements of expectant mothers in Society are every bit as ridiculous as all the others. My doctor has informed me my condition will not become obvious for several months. As long as I continue to feel well, there is no reason not to enjoy the rest of the Season.”

Meredith flushed with guilty relief, pleased to discover Lavinia had no immediate plan to withdraw from Society. It would be intolerable trying to endure the final weeks of the Season without her friend attending at least some of the events.

“I am very happy for you, Lavinia. You shall make a wonderful mother.”

“Thank you.” Lavinia’s eyebrows raised. “Oh, dear, Lady Tolliver has spotted us and is gesturing for us to join her. I know how much she grates on your nerves, so I will not ask you to accompany me while I give her my regards.”

“You are a true friend.”

“Yes, I am.” The marchioness glanced anxiously among the guests. “Will you be all right on your own?”

“Stop worrying about me,” Meredith said, though her stomach tightened momentarily at the idea of being alone.

“We can meet near the Grecian folly on the other side of the ornamental lake,” Lavinia suggested. “In an hour?”

“Perfect.”

“Don’t forget your shawl.” Lavinia began removing the lovely garment from her shoulders but Meredith held up her hand.

“No, you wear it. There is bound to be more of a breeze near the water.” She winked at her friend. “After all, we must keep you in the best of health.”

The marchioness’s twinkling laugh lingered long after she strode away.

With a small sigh, Meredith turned and lifted her parasol onto her shoulder, positioning it at the exact angle to protect her face from the sun.

She wasn’t especially interested in preventing the warmth from reaching her skin, but the device helped shield her from prying eyes.

Assuring herself there was no reason for her heart to race and her nerves to twitch, Meredith moved forward to stroll with the other ladies and gentlemen over the gravel walks and sections of lawn.

She returned the cool regard she received with a haughty watchfulness, the grip on her parasol tightening with each step.

“Lady Meredith. What a delightful surprise.”