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He smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkling. “Are you ready?”

“I thought you said we didn’t have time for lovemaking.” I reached for his cravat, knowing what would happen once we were inside.

He captured my hands in his. “You’ll have to be patient a little bit longer.”

I pouted, but I knew my patience would be rewarded.

I was surprised when he exited the carriage at the front of the house. Normally the carriage drove to the mews behind his townhouse. No one would be surprised that a Legend was entertaining his betrothed at his home, but that didn’t mean we didn’t make it a habit to be discreet.

There was an odd light in his expression as he helped me down, and I realized he was up to something. When I’d spoken to the wives yesterday, they’d been similarly excited. At the time, I’d thought it was because of the upcoming wedding.

“Who’s waiting for us inside your house?” I asked.

He winked before opening the door with a flourish.

The butler was standing off to one side in the hallway. “You are late, my lord.”

Greyson looked down at me. “My father was understandably delighted to meet Claire. He didn’t want to let her go.”

One corner of the man’s mouth quirked before he tamped down his amusement. “Very well, my lord.”

“Is everyone here?” Greyson asked.

“They’re in the library.”

I glanced at Greyson. “Who’s here?” I asked again.

He didn’t reply as he led me down the hall with a hand on the small of my back. It was a possessive gesture that never failed to send a shiver of awareness down my spine.

We passed the drawing room and the dining room before he stopped in front of the library.

“It’s the largest room in the house,” he said. We can always move if the house is too small for you and the girls.”

I smiled at him. He’d continued his daily visits and had grown close to Hope and Grace. Watching them together never failed to make my heart swell.

We’d hired a nursemaid for them. And after the scare we’d all had, he’d spared no expense to ensure she came highly recommended.

When we entered the library, I was surprised to find the room filled with people. Given Caroline, Diana, and Victoria’s excitement yesterday, I’d expected to see them here with their husbands. But Fairfax and Rexford were also present, as was Mr. Clarence. He’d unearthed a trail of evidence tying Mrs. Atkinson to shady dealings with not just Mrs. Beauchamp but other brothels as well. Fortunately, she’d only taken the first step toward that enterprise. With the evidence Mr. Clarence had found and the connections the Legends possessed, she was currently in gaol as she awaited trial for her crimes.

The three women enveloped me in a hug. “Welcome to the Legends,” they said in unison, identical wide smiles among them.

It hit me then for the first time. These were the Legendary Wives of the ton, and I was about to join them.

“Are you surprised?” Diana asked.

I glanced at Greyson and shrugged. “I thought he was taking me here for…” I shrugged. “Well, you can imagine.”

Everyone laughed.

I waited for Greyson to say something, but he’d stepped back, giving me the focus of attention. I stood there, glancing around the room. “I’m not sure what’s happening here. Are we hosting a dinner party no one told me about?”

“No,” Fairfax said, punching Greyson in the shoulder. “It wouldn’t occur to this lout to do something quite so civilized.” He turned his dazzling smile at me, his blue eyes twinkling with amusement. “But now that you’re about to become the Countess of Greyson, I’m sure you’ll make up for his oversights.”

Greyson was amused but said nothing. It wasn’t like him to resist the opportunity to jest with his friends.

“Well, I’d like to welcome everyone, despite the fact I don’t know what’s happening.”

Caroline took me by the hand and led me to the center of the room. “Stand right there,” she said.