That was why he had been pleased when lovely Jocelyn Kendal had delicately informed him that she had entered into a marriage of convenience, and was interested in diversion. He had always admired her, but had kept his distance because it was strictly against his code to tamper with innocents. During the weeks he had been in the country he had thought about her with mild anticipation, and as soon as he returned to London he had called on her. Alas, in the interval since the lady had issued her discreet invitation, she seemed to have become an adoring, if confused, wife. Rafe must look elsewhere.

In an effort to relieve his depression, he congratulated himself on a narrow escape from what could have been a sticky affair. He should have known better than to become involved with such a bantling-brained romantic. In truth, he had known better, but she was really quite refreshing, the most appealing woman he had met in years. She was rather like…

He cut the thought off sharply. The main purpose of his early return to London was not dalliance, but a message from his friend Lucien, who wanted to discuss a business matter. The fact that the Earl of Strathmore's business was spying meant that his little projects were usually quite interesting.

Rafe's rank gave him access to the highest levels of society wherever he went, and over the years that fact had made him a useful part of his friend's far-flung intelligence network. Rafe's specialty was acting as a courier when official channels were not sufficiently private, but he had also conducted several discreet investigations among the rich and powerful.

As Rafe drove the curricle into his stable yard, he hoped that Lucien had something damned distracting this time.

Lucien Fairchild watched with amusement as the Duke of Candover made his way across the crowded drawing room. Tall, dark, and commanding, Rafe so exactly fitted the part of an aristocrat that he might have been an actor rather than the genuine article.