Elizabeth lowered Gadzooks to the ground and the kitten immediately pounced on George. "Gadzooks's mother is named George?"

He looked up at her from his crouched position and smiled. "Yes. As in 'By George, that cat must be a female because look there-she's having kittens!' My groom named her. Mortlin knows everything about horses, but little, I'm afraid, about cats."

Her answering smile faded as the significance of his words hit her. "Your groom? Are these your cats?"

Austin rose slowly to his feet, inwardly cursing his carelessness. His pleasant interlude was about to come to an end. "Yes, the cats are mine."

Her eyes widened. "Oh, dear. Then this is your home?"

Austin cast a quick glance toward the mansion in the distance. It was where he lived but it hadn't felt like a home in over a year.

"Yes, Bradford Hall belongs to me."

"Then you must be…" She swept downward into an awkward curtsy. "Forgive me, your grace. I didn't realize who you were. You must think me incredibly rude."

He watched her arise from her curtsy, waiting to see her eyes narrow with speculation, flicker with avarice, sparkle with anticipation of how to best put her unexpected meeting with "England's Most Eligible Bachelor" to her advantage.

He saw none of it. Instead, she seemed genuinely distressed. And anxious to get away from him. How very interesting.

"I'm so sorry I said I wasn't enjoying your party," she said, taking several steps backward. "It's a delightful party. Delightful. The food the music, the guests, they are all…"

"Delightful?" he supplied helpfully.

She nodded and retreated several more steps.

His gaze never left her face. Emotions streaked through her expressive eyes-embarrassment, dismay, surprise, but not once did he discern a hint of coyness or speculation. Nor did she seem particularly impressed with his lofty title. But it was the complete lack of something else that utterly fascinated him.