Lady Gresham frowned. “Amelia, stop beating about the bush. How much like his father is he?”

Lady Marchmont chuckled. “Oh, that!” She waved dismissively. “He’s as handsome as sin, but then, all the Hendons are.”

“Too true,” agreed Mrs. Cartwright. “And they can charm the birds from the trees.”

“That, too.” Her ladyship nodded. “A silver-tongued devil, he is.”

Lady Dersingham sighed. “So pleasant, to know there’s a personable gentleman about one has yet to meet. Heightens the anticipation.”

There were nods of agreement all around.

“He’s not married, is he?” asked Lady Lechfield.

Lady Marchmont shook her head. “Oh, no. You may be sure I asked. He’s only recently returned from active service abroad. He still carries a wound-a limp in his left leg. He said he expected to be very much caught up in executing his commission as well as taking up Jake’s reins.”

“Hmm.” Lady Gresham’s gaze rested on Kit, seated at the end of the table. “Thinks he’ll be too busy to find a wife, does he?”

Lady Dersingham’s gaze had followed her ladyship’s. “Perhaps we could help?” she mused.

Kit, busy conveying her compliments to their chef via Jenkins, did not catch their assessing glances. She turned back to see the ladies Gresham and Dersingham exchanging satisfied nods with Lady Marchmont.

As the ladies’ attention returned to their plates, Kit caught a quizzical glance from Amy. Briefly Kit grimaced, then looked down, eyes gleaming cynically. A silver-tongued devil as handsome as sin sounded far too much like one of her London suitors. Just because the man was tall, wellborn, and not positively ugly, he was immediately considered a desirable parti! Stifling an unladylike snort, Kit attacked her portion of crab.

Chapter 4

Shortly after eleven, the coaches rumbled down the drive, well lit by a full moon. Beside Spencer on the steps, Kit waved them away, then impulsively hugged her grandfather.