Rachel arched a brow, tilting her head slightly. “Lord Hunt.”
“You say my name so hesitantly,” Rowan chuckled. “Has my reputation already preceded me?”
Rachel smiled lightly. “It has not.”
“Linwood, you wound me. You have spokennothingof me?” He turned to Rachel dramatically. “I have been hisdearestfriend for years, and yet, here I am—forgotten.”
“I suppose I should question my husband’s judgment then,” Rachel answered with ease.
Rowan let out a bark of laughter. “Oh, Ilikeyou.”
Simon exhaled slowly, pinching the bridge of his nose. “You could simply sayhello, Rowan.”
“Yes, but where is the fun in that?” Rowan smirked, then his gaze shifted to Marina. “And who is this?”
Marina shuffled, smiling now. “Miss Marina Montrose.”
Rowan took her hand before she could react, bowing over it. “Miss Marina,” he murmured, his tone smoother than before. “A pleasure.”
“Lord Hunt.”
Rowan studied her for a moment. “Montrose… yes, I recall the name. I believe I may have seen you at a few gatherings in London?”
“Perhaps,” Marina said evenly. “I do enjoy them, unlike my sister.”
Rachel and Simon exchanged looks—suddenly feeling as thoughtheywere interrupting something. Typical of Rowan, of course.
“I would have remembered if I had the pleasure of an introduction,” Rowan continued, his smirk returning.
Marina lifted her chin slightly. “Are you always this charming, my lord?”
Rowan’s grin widened. “I do try my best.”
“Rowan,” Simon uttered a warning under his breath to his friend, who looked annoyed at the interruption.
“Yes, yes. I promised to behave,” he turned to Rachel. “He runs quite a tight ship, does he not? Very particular about everything. I hope that you have found married life to your liking.”
Rachel looked at Simon, and then a faint blush covered her cheeks. “It is still quite new for both of us.”
Rowan chuckled. “Ah. A diplomatic response.”
“I have learned to be diplomatic,” Rachel replied smoothly. “It is expected of a duchess, is it not?”
“Ah, she is smart,” Rowan said to Simon, amused. “Well, you’re quite correct. Diplomacy can get you quite far.”
Simon stepped in before Rowan could tease her further. “And I do not intend to let you interrogate my wife all evening.”
“The duchess and I were merely having a conversation,” Rowan defended himself.
The musicians began to prepare their next song, and the couples started to arrange themselves on the dance floor. Simon noticed Rachel looking in his direction with some curiosity.
“Is something wrong?” Simon asked her finally, startling her.
“N-no, I was just…” she hesitated, as though caught doing something she was not supposed to. “The dance is about to start.”
“Yes, it is,” Simon replied, keeping his expression nonchalant.
“And so, well…” Rachel bit down on her lip. “Do you think…”
