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“No,” she said, “but you can’t be writing to a young woman.”

I laughed at Caroline. “I am five-and-twenty, which if I’m not mistaken, is several years older than you. No one will care if a gentleman writes me a note.”

But she wasn’t to be deterred. “You don’t think your stepmother or sister will care?”

I winced. “They’ll get over it. Besides, Lord Greyson will have no reason to correspond with me.”

“Perhaps not,” Caroline said. “But still, I’d like to call on you tomorrow. The other wives want to meet you.”

I frowned. “Tomorrow is Sunday. My stepmother doesn’t like to receive then.”

“All right,” Caroline said with a nod. “We’ll call on Monday.”

“I look forward to that.” I smiled warmly at her, pleased she was reaching out to me in friendship.

I had many acquaintances, and there were several people who worked at the school with whom I was on friendly terms, but I couldn’t think of one woman who I would call a true friend. But Caroline was different, and I couldn’t help hoping that I’d get along with the two other women who’d married Legends.

The carriage slowed to a halt in front of the house, and I saw the curtains twitch. To my horror, I realized it wasn’t just my sister and stepmother’s faces in the window. There were also several young women I didn’t know crowded close together.

“My apologies,” Greyson said. “It appears you’re about to be besieged.”

I let out a breath. “Well, I suppose it’s to be expected. I’ll spin a story about how we met when I was doing my volunteer work.”

Greyson winced. “Please don’t tell them I was at the school. The last thing I need, or any of those children need, is a gaggle of young women descending.”

“Worry not,” I said, trying to hide my amusement. “I’ll tell them someone dragged you there and that you were terribly bored the entire time. I’ll make sure they know you won’t be repeating that visit.”

Greyson nodded. “That should work. Don’t forget to tell them that I was rude to everyone except you.”

I laughed as he stepped from the carriage and turned to help me down. He held my gaze as he raised my hand to press his lips to my inner wrist. “We must put on a good show,” he murmured, his breath warm against my skin.

My foolish heart leapt. I could certainly see why this man was considered a catch, but I told myself sternly that I was too practical to start spinning foolish fantasies.

I dipped into a curtsy and then turned to wave at Caroline. “I look forward to receiving you on Monday.”

“I hope it won’t be too bad,” Greyson said. “I feel like a coward leaving you here to handle the wolves while I escape.”

“If it gets too intrusive, I’ll turn the conversation to the school and ask if anyone wants to come with me the next time I visit. I’m sure that will send them scattering.”

He stared at me as though he were trying to see inside my head. “I can’t believe someone like you actually exists.”

I shrugged. “Not all of us are desperate to trap you into marriage.”

Chapter 10

CLAIRE

Despite what I’d told Greyson, I couldn’t help feeling tense as I entered the townhouse. For an irrational moment, I wondered if I’d be able to slip upstairs and hide in my bedroom until everyone left.

“They’re waiting for you in the drawing room,” said the footman who was standing in the hallway.

With a deep breath, I thanked him and turned to the right. There would be no escaping the coming onslaught.

I didn’t have to feign my surprise when I saw how many women, both young and old, were crammed into the room. This was more people than we’d entertained the entire season altogether.

“Did someone plan a dinner party and forget to tell me?”

I’d hoped to diffuse my growing anxiety with humor. As I stood framed in the doorway, without Caroline and Greyson flanking me, I couldn’t help feeling as though I were about to be attacked by an angry mob. This was the type of attention my sister craved, and I was always content to allow her to have it.