Amelia stared. "Serious?"

"Not that sort of serious. I mean… deep. Reserved-no!-controlled. That always makes men seem older."

Amelia nodded. "Very well-I'll allow he seems just perfect for you, but how are you going to tackle the big problem? Every hostess in the ton has been trying to lure him back into society, but he refuses every invitation."

"Let's be perfectly frank-he ignores every invitation."

"Precisely. So how are you going to meet him often enough to convince him…" Amelia's words trailed away. She studied her twin's face. "You're not going to try to draw him into our world-you're going to go into his world instead."

Amanda grinned. "That's my plan, at least until he's well enough snared so he'll follow me anywhere."

Amelia giggled. "You make him sound like a dog."

"Hardly a dog-a lion, perhaps. A huge tawny beast who delights in lazing in his lair and who hunts at night." Amanda nodded, her expression determined. "That's exactly what I need to do-snare and tame my lion."

She wasn't fool enough to think it would be easy. Amanda spent the day evaluating various approaches. The horse was one, but she didn't want to appear too eager, and besides, if she played that card too early, he might do exactly as he'd said and send a groom with the mount, preserving a cool, sensible distance. Cool, sensible distance was not what she needed.

But she couldn't go back to Mellors, not when he'd warned her away. Aside from being supremely foolish, that would show her hand far too clearly. And he wouldn't approve…

That thought triggered another, and another in quick succession; suddenly she knew exactly how to bring her lion to heel.

"Last night, Mellors-tonight, Lady Hennessy's. Have you taken leave of your senses?" Through the gloom in the carriage, Reggie glared at her. "If m'mother finds out I've accompanied you to such a place, she'll disinherit me!"