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“Aren’t I?” she smiled sweetly. “See that you school your features. You wouldn’t want Lenora to get the wrong idea.”

She turned away and set off to join her sisters.

The problem was—he wasn’t the dog in the manger. Not anymore. He wanted Lenora in every possible way a gentleman can want a lady.

He had to let her know how completely his intentions had changed.

And, from the way Preston was solicitously guiding Lenora toward her sisters, Asquith knew he was running out of time.

***

As Asquith approached with all her sisters, Lenora’s breath shallowed and her grip on Preston’s arm tightened. Preston’s curious, sidelong glance softened as he took in her concern. Then, he gently placed his fingers over her own, a comforting gesture.

Asquith’s gaze narrowed.

Her stomach dropped. Asquith was confusing, but her reaction to him was worse.

The memory of their kiss mingled with his harsh words, highlighting the stark contrast between her fantasy of being loved and the grim reality that she might have been mistaken in his character.

At best, he had simply yielded to her wishes and, eventually, he would resent her.

At worst, she was a complication he could not afford—something she had not known before a conversation with Amelia.

When Amelia had mentioned seeing Asquith just after the Hampton event, at first, Lenora had been jealous, but Amelia explained Asquith had not called to visit her, but her father.

Hampton was helping Asquith with his stables.

Lenora had known Asquith had extensive stables...her grandfather, the fourth earl, had even built a riding house at Asquith Park. She’d also known how important a role Asquith’s horses played in his life.

What she hadn’t known about was the cost of such a venture. The sums mentioned by Lady Amelia left her ill.

Now she understood why he’d insisted things were not as simple as she’d thought. She had not only to convince him to change his mind about marrying her, but they then had to convince the Lord Chancellor that Asquith was not wedding her for her dowry, meaning his estate books as well as any interests and business ventures would have to show a profit.

And if Lady Amelia’s description of the costs that went into building a successful stud farm were correct, Asquith would not turn a profit for a long time, meaning, in order for Asquith to marry, he’d have to sacrifice his cherished horses.

Even if she could be sure she could trust him, how could she ask him to abandon something he loved so much?

While he might want her, he had never suggested he loved her with equal fervor. Not the way he loved his horses.

She’d resolved to give him up. But now that she’d seen him...

She inhaled swiftly and leaned a little more heavily on Preston’s arm.

She, Preston and Amelia reached Asquith and her sisters. If her sisters hadn’t been in public, they would have, as usual, fallen into a five-way embrace. On Bond Street, they could only grasp hands. Each warm, successive touch increased the dampness in her eyes.

She looked away as Asquith made introductions.

“My!” Amelia leaned back. “You can see the family resemblance.”

“We all look like our mother,” Millie explained. “Thank heavens.”

“Where is Godmama?” Cassie asked Lenora.

“We left her at the modiste,” Lenora managed.

“She and my mother are gossiping,” Amelia finished.

“Godmama?” Eliza feigned surprise.