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Caroline laughed. “You are still young and beautiful. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Greyson would be blind not to be attracted to you.”

My cheeks were hot, but hopefully my mask concealed my embarrassment. “It is one thing to be attracted to someone and another thing to want to marry them.” I lowered my voice. “But I must confess, I might be ready to explore some of the enjoyments that can be had between a man and a woman.”

All three were grinning now.

“But don’t hope for too much,” I said, as much for myself as for them. “After all, how many lovers have the Legends had between them? Dozens, no doubt.”

Victoria grimaced. “If not more. Moreland was a rake before we married. And I know that Kendrick had a mistress.”

Caroline frowned. “Let’s not talk about such unpleasant things. As far as I’m concerned, there were no other women before we met our husbands.”

“Agreed,” they all said.

I might very well become one of those other women Greyson’s future wife would try not to think about, but I didn’t say that out loud. One day, perhaps in the not-too-distant future, these women might be pretending they didn’t know me as they welcomed another into their midst.

The thought threatened to ruin the enjoyment I’d been having.

“They’re coming this way,” Diana said.

When we turned to welcome them, it was Kendrick who held out an arm to me. “Miss Sullivan, would you do me the honor of dancing with me?”

I looked at Greyson, who was frowning at his friend. He didn’t protest, so I accepted. “Thank you, my lord, but you must have patience with me. I’ve only been to a few country dances.”

“My wife will tell you I am the most patient of men,” he said with a wink.

Caroline snorted behind her fan.

With a grin, Kendrick led me out onto the dance floor, where a waltz was just beginning.

Kendrick glanced over my shoulder as he took me into his arms. When he smiled down at me, there was more than a hint of devilry in his expression. “Let’s give Grey a show that will have him eager to take my place.”

And then he executed a series of turns that had me laughing with delight.

Chapter 20

GREYSON

I grew increasingly impatient as Claire danced first with Kendrick, then Moreland. She was dancing with Clifton now. I knew my friends were trying to provoke me, but I refused to be baited by them.

I plucked a glass from the tray of a passing footman, scowling down at the amber liquid when I saw it wasn’t the hoped-for brandy. But that didn’t stop me from tossing back the drink before glancing at Fairfax, who’d joined me at some point.

“I’ve never ruined an innocent before.”

Fairfax raised a brow. “Has that changed?”

His voice held more than a hint of surprise. He knew my stance on being with women who weren’t experienced and who might expect more than a casual dalliance.

“Not yet, but I think we’re headed that way.”

Fairfax was watching Claire dance with Clifton. “She’s five and twenty and from all accounts, has decided not to wed.”

His observation filled me with annoyance. “It wasn’t a decision so much as she wasn’t given the opportunity.”

Fairfax glanced at me. “Are you planning to give her that opportunity?”

The question wasn’t surprising given the string of weddings we’d already had this year. “That’s not my plan, no.”

Fairfax shrugged. “Then don’t worry. Besides, at some point, she’ll take a lover. All the attention she’s received tonight should bolster her confidence.”