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Some women felt incomplete without a man by their side.

Meredith had always prided herself on being beyond that, on feeling she alone knew what was best when it came to managing her life.

Yet as she lingered the morning after the ball in her sitting room, staring at an uncompleted letter she was composing to her friend Faith, Meredith conceded what she really wanted was to discuss the unsettling feelings she had experienced last night—with a man.

Her father-in-law was the natural choice. He was kind, levelheaded, and very much concerned about her. If the opportunity had presented itself, Meredith probably would have mentioned it to him, but the carriage ride home from the ball last night had been unusually brief.

She could always call upon her brothers and solicit their opinion, but she hesitated.

She had been impressed by their recent signs of maturity, but they still tended to overreact to a situation.

If she confided that she thought she was being watched by someone, they would no doubt raise a cry of alarm.

When considering that reaction, it was logical to conclude the ideal person to ask would be Trevor.

He was intelligent, worldly, and calm in the face of danger.

Yet it behooved her to remember her husband preferred to have as little to do with her as possible.

That thought stayed with her all through the night, making her decision not to say anything to her husband an easy one.

Meredith’s gaze shifted back to her unfinished letter. If only Faith were in town, Meredith could discuss with her good friend the fear and unease that had caused her such a restless night. She had barely slept, plagued by half-formed disturbing dreams that kept her tossing and turning in her bed.

Given the chance, she would even reveal her concerns to Faith’s husband, if her friend thought that would help. Unfortunately, this was not the sort of problem one could easily explain in a letter.

We had a lovely time at the ball last evening.

I so enjoyed seeing Elizabeth again, and even Harriet managed to behave herself.

My brothers are completely taken with Elizabeth, while totally fearful of Harriet, the ever present chaperon.

Oh, and by the by, I have a great anxiety about being followed and observed by an unseen stranger that I can neither prove nor adequately explain.

Meredith threw down the quill in frustration. Was she making too much of all this? Probably. Heaving a sigh, she picked up her pen and dipped it in the ink. Bending her head, she set herself to the task of completing her letter, without any mention of her wild imaginings.

Meredith was concentrating on keeping the tone of her letter light hearted and amusing when the hairs on the nape of her neck lifted.

Then she heard a footfall behind her. It was Rose’s half day off, so she knew it could not be her maid.

And the chambermaids had already cleaned and aired her bedchamber.

Meredith had not rung for any servants. There would therefore be no reason for any of them to be in her rooms. Besides, a servant would knock before entering her private quarters.

“I had not expected to find you at home at this time of the day.”

Meredith spun around, her pulse beating in an uneven rhythm. Trevor stood in the doorway, his expression openly curious. Meredith swallowed hard. “Goodness, you startled me.”

“I can see that.” He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned casually against the door frame. “For a moment you looked absolutely terrified.”

“I have been a bit jumpy as of late,” Meredith admitted. “And you are, of course, the last person I expect to see in my rooms.”

He grimaced, and Meredith regretted her choice of words. Steeling herself for his scathing comeback, she put down her quill and faced him fully.

“Do you have plans for the afternoon?”

She bit the inside of her cheek to hold her reply until she could speak in a tone devoid of amazement. He never asked about her plans. “I have nothing specific to attend to today. Is there something you need me to do for you?”

“Actually, I was wondering if you would like to accompany me to a horse race.”

There was a short silence. Taken aback by this sudden offer, Meredith’s befuddled brain was slow to react.

“I have never been to a horse race,” she finally said, wondering if she sounded as much like a simpleton as she felt.

“Why does that not surprise me?” He gave her a wry grin. “I think you might enjoy it. ’Tis a beautiful sunny day, and the weather promises to remain warm. The fresh air will do you good.”

It would be wonderful, Meredith thought, and the sudden quickening of her pulse confirmed the idea. An entire afternoon with the marquess by her side. How could she possibly refuse?

“Are you certain you wish me to accompany you?”

“ ’Tis just a horse race, Meredith. There’s no need to look so astonished. By your reaction, one would think I have asked you to frolic naked in the fountain outside Prinny’s palace.”

She tilted her chin and gave him a wide-eyed innocent stare. “Is that how you celebrate the end of the race? By romping sans clothing in a fountain?”

Trevor laughed. “You’d cause a riot.”

“ ’Tis better than causing a scandal, sir.”

“And a far more pleasing sight.” He flashed her a sensuous, disarming glance. “Though I prefer privacy when viewing your au naturel womanly charms, my dear.”

Flustered, Meredith turned back to her letter. His potent physical presence was beginning to dominate her, and that warm, inviting look in his lovely blue eyes was playing havoc with the speed of her heart. “To avoid the crowd, we would have to swim at night,” she ventured.

“That rather defeats the entire purpose, don’t you agree? Daylight is far more sensuous.”

Her face was flaming red, her breath shallow. Heat prickled across her skin. The erotic thoughts that popped suddenly into her head were so vivid they were almost disturbing. But she wasn’t about to be outdone.

She turned back around and faced him. “Must it be Prinny’s fountain? The garden here contains several lovely fountains. The one near the boxwood maze is particularly enchanting—and private.”

His eyes darkened with a sensual desire that sent a shiver of anticipation up her spine.

“How wrong for society to label me the wild one,” he said softly. “ ’Tis you who possesses the erotic soul.”

For one frantic moment Meredith thought he was going to move toward her and gather her in his strong embrace. Every instinct she possessed urged her to press herself forward, but she knew that would be wrong. No matter how difficult it might be, she had to wait for him to come to her.

He hesitated, and Meredith’s heart sank. If he thought too long about his actions, he would not follow his inclinations. As she expected, he made a muffled comment about seeing her later and quit the room.

Disappointed but not defeated, Meredith returned to her correspondence. Though she had longed to feel his strong arms about her, had wished for his lips to press against hers, she accepted it was not going to occur—right now.

There was an entire afternoon to look forward to, and Meredith was very determined to make sure there would be several opportunities for exchanging kisses. And maybe even a dip in the fountain!

It was a lovely day to be out-of-doors. Meredith had difficulty containing her smile as she perched beside the marquess on his curricle’s box seat. She was glad he had decided to take the open two-seater carriage. It allowed no room for servants, affording them more privacy.

Meredith enjoyed watching Trevor drive. He handled the reins as he did most things, with ease and accomplishment.

Though they did not converse in the carriage, Meredith felt relaxed and hopeful.

She determined this would be an enjoyable afternoon.

Even the weather seemed to be cooperating.

The sun was partially screened by drifting clouds, making the temperature pleasantly cool.

They drove to an area on the outskirts of town that was unfamiliar to Meredith. It was less crowded, more rural in nature, with a main road that led past small brick houses, shops, and stables. They rounded a curve and came to a crossroads with an inn on one side and a church on the other.

The marquess hesitated for an instant, then turned past the church. Meredith edged forward in her seat as the muttering sounds of a boisterous crowd grew louder and the smell of fried pies caught at her nose.

“This is not the type of outing you are used to attending.” A shadow came over his face. “The crowd can get a bit rough at times. Are you certain you wish to see the races?”

Meredith turned her head sharply. “You promised me a new experience, and I fully intend to keep you to your word. Besides, I am perfectly safe with you by my side.”

“We can leave the carriage here,” Trevor decided. He deftly maneuvered the coach beside a fancy barouche. “The racecourse is just beyond the lawn.”

Trevor secured the horses, then assisted her from the carriage. The breeze fluttered her bonnet ribbons. Meredith unfurled her parasol and lifted it to protect herself from the sun, which was now out in full splendor.

The marquess reached inside the boot of the carriage and drew out a small basket. He started toward her, then stopped.

“I give you fair warning, madame, if the wind carries that bit of lace and ruffles away I am not going to chase after it.”

“I understand.” She twirled the parasol smartly, then grinned. “If I lose it in the wind, you may simply buy me another.”

He frowned, but said no more. Meredith led the way, her heart pounding with eager excitement. In the distance she could see a haze of dust surrounding the course, could hear the sounds of laughter and shouting. The air fairly crackled with a light, festive mood.