Sunny glanced at the other woman suspiciously. “Am I to be paraded in front of him like a prizeheifer?”
“No,” Katie said with regret. “Thornborough won’t do. His taste runs to ladies who are .rather excessively sophisticated. He’s expected to offer for MayRussellsoon.”
“The American Mrs. Russell?” Sunny asked,surprised.
“Mad May herself. She’s a good choice. Having had children by two husbands already, she shouldn’t have any problems giving Thornborough an heir, and her fortune is immense.” Katie gave a little sniff. “Heaven knows that Thornboroughneedsit.”
Sunny's gaze shifted. “Who’s the man standing to the left oftheduke?”
Katie looked over. “Oh, that’s just theGargoyle.”
“I beg your pardon?” Sunny glanced at her godmother, not sure that she’d heardcorrectly.
“Lord Justin Aubrey, Thornborough’s younger brother, better known as the Gargoyle,” Katie explained. “He manages the duke’s estate, which means he’s scarcely more than afarmer.”
A line etched between her brows, Sunny studied the dark young man. While not handsome, his face had a certain rugged distinction. “Why was he given such an unkind nickname? He’s no Mr. Curzon, but neither isheugly.”
“The Aubreys are known for being tall, blond and aristocratic, and Lord Justin is none of those things. He’s always scowling and has no conversation at all.” Katie smiled naughtily. “One would have to question what his dear mother had been up to, except that every now and then the Aubreys produce one like him. The youngest Aubrey daughter, Lady Alexandra, resembles him, poor girl. I imagine she’s around here somewhere. She’s known as theGargoylette.”
Sunny’s frown deepened. “I’m sorry to think that these handsome people have such crueltongues.”
“They are no more and no less cruel than New York society,” Lady Westron said dryly. “Human nature is much the sameeverywhere.”
Sunny’s gaze lingered on Lord Justin. Though not tall, neither was he short. He looked to be of average height, perhaps an inch or two taller than she. She guessed that he was in his late twenties, but his stern expression made him seem older. He looked as if he thoroughly disapproved of the splendid gatheringaroundhim.
Her thoughts were interrupted by Katie exclaiming, “Lord Hancock is over there! I hoped that he would be here today. Come along, dear, you mustmeethim.”
After another wistful glance at the gardens, Sunny obediently followed hergodmother.
* * *
The eighth Dukeof Thornborough sampled a strawberry from one of the mounds on the refreshment table. “Splendid flavor.” He reached for another. “You’ve been getting remarkable results from thegreenhouses.”
Justin Aubrey shrugged. “I only give the orders, Gavin. It’s the gardeners who do therealwork.”
“But someone must still give the right orders, and it isn’t going to be me.” The duke consumed several more strawberries, then washed them down with champagne. “Relax, Justin. You’ve worked for weeks to make my fete a success, so you should try to enjoy the results. Everyone is having a crackinggoodtime.”
“That’s fortunate, considering that this little event is costing over two thousand pounds.” Money which could have been much betterspent.
Gavin made an airy gesture. “The Duke of Thornborough has an obligation to maintain a certain style. After I marry May, there will be ample money for those boring repairs that you keep talkingabout.”
Justin gave his brother a shrewd glance. “You and Mrs. Russell have reached a firmunderstanding?”
Gavin nodded. “We’ll be making an announcement soon. A late summer wedding, I think. You can plan on fixing the roof directly after, so it will be right and tight by winter.” He cast an experienced eye over the crowd. “I see that Katie Westron has a lovely creature in tow. That must be the Gilded Girl. I hear she’s cutting quite a swath through London society. The Prince has already invited her to visitSandringham.”
“Then her social reputation is made,” Justin agreed with barely perceptible irony. “But who is theGildedGirl?”
“Sarah Vangelder, the fairest flower of the Vangelder railroad fortune.” The duke’s tone turned speculative. “They say she’s the greatest heiress ever to cross theAtlantic.”
Justin followed his brother’s gaze to where the heiress stood talking with three besotted males. As soon as he located her, his heart gave an oddlurch.
Sarah Vangelder was the quintessential American beauty: tall, slender and crowned with a lustrous mass of honey-colored hair. She also had an engaging air of innocent enthusiasm that made him want to walk over and introduce himself. A beautiful woman, not his. The world was full of them, he remindedhimself.
Aloud, he said only, “Veryfetching.”
“Perhaps I should reconsider marrying May,” Gavin said pensively. “They say Augusta Vangelder wants to see the girl a duchess. Should I offer her the noble name ofThornborough?”
Justin’s mouth tightened. Though he loved his brother, he had no illusions about the duke’s character. “You’d find a young innocent aflatbore.”
