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recovered from the incident with the gig. She had presented Almack’s vouchers with great ceremony, pointing out their procurement was due solely to her efforts.
    Afterwards, her stepmother had gushed about their visitor’s elegance and generosity, although Lucy believed Lord Devlyn must have brought pressure to bear – it was blindingly obvious Lady Fanthom saw them as provincial nobodies.
    It appeared Lord Devlyn had helped Belinda achieve a successful debut in another way. As a nonpareil and eligible bachelor, everyone was curious about the lady he had singled out for attention. The ton had followed his lead and Lady Sinclair’s assertion that Belinda was real reason behind Devlyn’s visit to Hampshire did not now appear so outrageous to Lucy.
    Studying the stack of calling cards on the table, Lucy’s gaze fell upon a particularly modish one. Her brow furrowed as she recalled the gentleman who had presented it. Lord Sneyd had already called twice. His manners and dress were as flawless as his artful flattery. Lady Sinclair declared Lord Sneyd to be a cultured man, handsome, charming and much taken with Belinda. With her step-sister in agreement, only Lucy felt uncomfortable in his presence.
    Two short meetings had provided no obvious reasons for her dislike, but Lucy felt something unpleasant lay beneath his stylish exterior. His pale eyes had studied her as if sensing she found him disagreeable. Resolving to ask her grandmother or Lady Gainsford about Lord Sneyd, Lucy returned the card to its place just as her stepmother and sister came in.
    “You keep early hours, Lucy! In London it is not fashionable to have breakfasted and finished one’s toilette before eleven o’clock,” observed Lady Sinclair.
    “Lucy does not care for fashion,” said Belinda, looking very beautiful in sprigged muslin. “I hope she does not put us all to the blush by talking of books and poetry, the ancient Greeks, or some such tedious subject.”
    Lucy smiled. “I will ask for your help if I send anyone to sleep by talking about the ancient Greeks.”
    “Well, I’m not bookish , but I understand what gentlemen find interesting. Lord Sneyd would be bored to death if you talked about those things to him.”
    “For once I agree with you, Belinda - Lord Sneyd’s conversation is designed to keep most ladies enthralled. He makes love very elegantly,” Lucy said dryly.
    “And what’s wrong with that? I like my cavaliers to be stylish and deliver the pretty compliments I deserve.”
    “Lord Sneyd is charming,” snapped Lady Sinclair. “I cannot see any objection to his manners or his character, whatever you say, Lucy! He finds Belinda entrancing and has begged permission to drive with her in the park.”
    “There is something about him I cannot like. Can we discover a little more before you encourage him?”
    Lady Sinclair frowned. “Certainly not! Why, the Sneyds are one of the oldest families in England; they can trace their ancestry back to the Conquest.”
    “That does not guarantee respectability. Quite the opposite.”
    “Don’t be stupid! Your sister is fortunate to have caught the attention of such a man.”
    “Are you jealous of Lord Sneyd’s preference for my company?” asked Belinda with an arch look.
    Lucy was saved from replying by Stanton announcing Lord Devlyn and Lord Ashe.
    “Oh my word!” Lady Sinclair exclaimed, thrown into a fluster. “Belinda’s success is assured following this visit. Don’t stand there dawdling - show them up at once, Stanton! Belinda, do sit on the chaise where the light is beneficial.”
    When Lord Devlyn entered, Lucy was instantly covered with a full-bodied flush. She fought to subdue her rapid heartbeat and the glow of pleasure she felt at seeing him again. Stop this at once , she told herself fiercely. Even so, her gaze feasted on him. He looked impossibly handsome to her eyes. An austere, strong featured man in his prime, tall, big-framed and yet a touch too lean. A force of