“Is he really so notorious that just to be seen dancing with him would fairly ruin a girl?”
“I have seen it happen, and it’s a shame really, because he’s notthatmuch of a womanizer. Not that he ever lacks for female companionship. But he’s not out to seduce the whole of London either.”
“Just his fair share?”
Regina noted the grin and realized Roslynn was amused by Anthony’s reputation rather than scandalized. Perhaps she wasn’t interested after all. Or perhaps she wisely sensed that it was hopeless.
“Gossips can be cruel, m’dear.” Regina leanedcloser to whisper. “In fact, I don’t dare leave your side. Heismisbehaving, staring at you like that.”
Roslynn avoided the other woman’s eyes. “He could be looking at you.”
“Of course he isn’t. But as long as no one here is quite sure which of us he’s ogling, you’re safe.”
“Ah, there you are, Ros.” Frances joined them. “Lord Grahame was just asking for you. He claims you promised him a waltz.”
“So I did.” Roslynn sighed. It was time to forget Anthony Malory and get back to work. “I just hope the fellow can loosen up and be a little more revealing this time.”
Too late, she realized how that must have sounded to Lady Eden, but Regina simply smiled. “It’s all right, m’dear. Frances has told me something of your situation. You might be amused to know I had the exact same problem when I was looking for a husband. But unlike yours, my choice had to be approved by my family, which only made it exceedingly difficult because, to them, no one was good enough for me. Thank God my Nicholas compromised me, or I still might be looking for a husband.”
It was Frances who appeared shocked. “But I thought you had been promised to him!”
“That was the general assumption after the announcement was made, but the fact was, he had abducted me, thinking I was his current mistress, and that little mistake got out. Oh, he brought me home immediately upon realizing his mistake, but the damage was done. And he came kicking and protesting to the altar, confirmed bachelor that he was. Yet he has settled nicely into marriage. It just goes to show that if someone seems unsuitable in all respects, theymight turn out to be the best choice after all. You just never know.”
The last was said for Roslynn’s benefit, but she forced herself to disregard it. Her chore was hard enough without adding to it the unsuitables. She wasn’t going to end up with a bad penny on the off chance that he could be reformed. A gambler she was not.
With that resolve firmly set in her mind, she went off in search of Lord Grahame.
Chapter Eight
If an order had been placed, the weather that morning couldn’t have been more perfect. It nearly tripled the amount of riders who were generally found in Hyde Park at such an early hour. Afternoons were the time for promenading, when every conceivable type of carriage could be seen making slow progress along the countrylike lanes. Mornings were reserved for the exercising of stock and body, when one didn’t usually encounter one’s acquaintances and so was not forced to stop repeatedly for conversation, as would happen in the afternoon.
Anthony Malory was resigned to giving up his customary hard gallop through the park that morning in favor of a brisk trot. Not that Reggie wasn’t game, but he doubted her frisky mare could keep up with his powerful stallion, and since she insisted on joining him, he was forced to keep to her pace.
After last night, he had his suspicions as to why she had invited herself along, and he wasn’t sure he wanted to discuss the lady. But when Reggie slowed and reigned in, waving James and Jeremy on, he knew there would be no help for it. The little darling could be uncomfortably persevering at times.
“When I asked to ride with you this morning, I rather thought we would be alone,” Regina began with just the faintest degree of annoyance in her tone. “Jeremy I could understand wanting to come along with us, but Uncle James? He rarely rises before noon.”
Actually, Anthony had pulled brother and nephew out of bed, browbeating and cajoling them into joining him. That ploy hadn’t worked, however, to keep Reggie from her purpose. And blast James. He knew very well the only reason he was along was to keep the conversation impersonal, but there he trotted off, flashing Anthony an amused grin.
Anthony shrugged innocently. “What can I say? James has changed his habits considerably since he became a father. Hasn’t that scoundrel you married done the same?”
“Famous! Why is it you always attack Nicholas when your own behavior has been less than exemplary?” And she jumped right into it. “She’s half Scot, you know.”
He didn’t bother to ask who, but said indifferently. “Is she?”
“They’re known for terrible tempers.”
“All right, puss.” He sighed. “What’s on your mind that you feel obliged to warn me?”
Her brow wrinkled, blue eyes probing blue eyes of a like shade. “Are you interested in her, Tony?”
“Have I died and don’t know it?”
She laughed, unable to help it. “Yes, I suppose that was a silly question. Of course you’re interested—you and a few dozen others. I guess my next question should be, are you going to do anything about it?”
“That, my girl, is none of your business.”
His tone was gentle but firm, and Regina’s frown was back. “I know. But I thought you should learn a little something about her before you make up your mind to pursue her.”
