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“She does know how to play to her strengths,” Mei agreed. “It is likely why she has proven so popular this Season. You are lucky to meet her here where you are not battling her many suitors for her attention.”

Blast. Did that sound catty? She did not mean to be catty. And yet hearing that Lady Darcy had been a standout did make her feel a bit like hissing. Maybe a bit of clawing.

“Is she the only one?” Mei asked, clamping down on her unruly emotions.

“Miss Fenley was very relaxing to be around.”

That one surprised her, and not only because Miss Fenley was the lowest ranking of the ladies present. Although Mei agreed that she was very easy to be in company with, she had found that gentlemen did not always prize such an attribute. In some ways, she’d been included as a foil to Lady Darcy, although Mei did think she would make some gentleman a very fine match. Someone who was able to see beyond her quieter nature to the prize that she was.

Perhaps Bolton would be the one.

Mei’s stomach tightened.

“She is,” Mei agreed. “Although she can be a tad shy, she is very engaging once you get to know her better.”

“Lady MarcyAnne was also an enjoyable companion. I appreciated her honesty.”

“Honesty about what?” Mei could not help but ask.

“About her envy for Lady Darcy’s ability to make an entrance.” The duke’s eyes seemed to sparkle, and Mei could not help but laugh.

“I do believe that with a full Season behind her, Lady MarcyAnne will be more than capable of giving Lady Darcy a run for her money,” Mei admitted. “She’s very clever. It’s one of the reasons she would make for a fine duchess. What of Lady Juliette?”

“Ah. Well.” The duke rolled his shoulders, sitting back in the chair. “She’s another very qualified lady who would make a fine duchess, but by the end of supper, I very much felt as though I was more of a test for Lord Hayworth than a prize she seeks.”

“Really? I did note Lord Hayworth’s interest in her, but it was difficult to see if she returned his regard.”

“She did not say anything outright, of course, but there is a feeling between them.” He waved his hand back and forth in front of them. “Something ineffable. A… chemistry, if you will.”

“And you think this chemistry will be more important to her than becoming a duchess?” Mei did not disagree, but she also found herself intrigued at how similarly they saw the situation. The duke was more attuned to others' emotions than she would have given him credit for. Being able to speak so frankly together—it was another glimpse behind the façade he put up for Society. A rather fascinating one.

“Perhaps. It would not be for everyone.” He sighed, leaning against the back of the chair. “There are those who would secure the more advantageous marriage, and then, once an heir and a spare had been provided, seek their pleasure elsewhere.” The words hung in the air of the library, and he suddenly straightened back up. Though the light provided by the lamps was low, she was sure she saw a flush of color spreading across his cheeks. “My apologies, Miss Hu. I should not speak so frankly of such things.”

“Of mistresses and lovers?” She smiled, taking great enjoyment in the way he coughed. “I would have to be blind not to know of ‘such things’, Your Grace, with the way the ton carries on. That is important information to know as a matchmaker. That you would prefer to have such chemistry between you and your wife is an important factor. Did you, ah, do you…” Blast, she was floundering now. This was not professional of her. She needed to be able to speak of such things. “Did you feel that chemistry with any of the young ladies today?”

There was a small pause, and Mei’s gaze met his. Her breath caught in her throat as his eyes blazed at her across the small space between them, which suddenly felt so much smaller than it already did.

“None of the young ladies I met today, no.” The words were spoken very deliberately, each one with measured thought behind it.

None of the young ladies he’d met today, no.

The amount of meaning behind that very specifically phrased sentence made butterflies explode in Mei’s stomach. The tension between them, the one that she’d felt earlier during the meal whenever their eyes met, rose up and tightened around her so that she could barely draw breath.

“I see. Well. That is very, ah, it is very, um, illuminating.” Mei got to her feet before she did something utterly foolish. The duke got to his feet as well, as good manners dictated now that she had stood, but she wished he had not because it felt like he’d closed even more of the scant distance between them. “I should be going. Um, perhaps we can speak more tomorrow once you have had a chance to spend more time with your brides. Potential brides, I mean. Excuse me, Your Grace.”

Bobbing a curtsy, Mei snatched up one of the gas lamps to light her way and turned to go. As quickly as possible.

“Miss Hu…” The duke’s voice stopped her when she’d only taken a few steps. She looked over her shoulder at him. He was still standing, watching her. With the lamp on the table and his height, his face was wreathed in shadows, making it impossible to read his expression. “If none of the young ladies, I mean, if I do not feel⁠—”

“I would never be any man’s mistress,” Mei said, turning her head away and walking as quickly as she could without breaking into a run.

His voice floated after her, soft, and yet, his words cut her to the core.

“I would never ask you to.”

She did not care what he thought now. Mei fled the library, utter humiliation swamping her. Of course he would not ask her to. Her attraction must be entirely one-sided.

Not that she wanted to be his mistress, but…