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had two younger brothers away at school now, and Mathew sensed she was lonely without them.
    “To say nothing of Mama’s attention being directed only towards me. My being at a marriageable age is almost beyond her ability to resist the need to orchestrate my future.”
    “How will she react, do you think, when both Lord Strapshire and I are no longer seeking your favor?” He hated saying it, especially since he still hoped to continue to seek her company after Lord Strapshire ran back to London with his tail between his legs, but he felt the matter had to be addressed.
    Bianca looked at her hands. “I hope that the disappointment she’ll feel will allow my mother and me to speak honestly about my interests. This is not the first time she has become . . . obsessive about some detail of my life and yet stubbornly held her ground about it.” Bianca paused. “When I went to school, for instance, it was horrible. The headmistress beat us with switches and refused us meals when we misbehaved or performed poorly.
    “For months I sent letters home about the conditions, but Mama insisted it was the best school for young ladies and I was to stop my whining. She was proud of my acceptance to the school, you see—it required an entrance exam in addition to the expense—and it reflected well on her.
    “Finally, I refused to return to school after coming home for a holiday. I even tied myself to the bedpost on the day we were to leave and threatened to burn all my clothing to make it impossible for me to leave. We must have screamed at one another for hours—I’m sure it was something to behold—but when she finally realized how determined I was, she softened, and listened, and in the end she took up a campaign against the schoolmistress.” Bianca smiled. “Mama is formidable, and how things look are very important to her, but once I have run off two men of title I believe I can convince her of my determination to lead my own life. And I shall make sure she does not remain angry with you as well.” She smiled sheepishly, and he nodded in acknowledgment.
    “You seem very confident of that.”
    Her smile faded as she looked into his face. “I cannot spend my life with a man I don’t respect.”
    Could you ever respect me? he asked in his mind. Is there some way I can convince you that I am worthy of your respect ? He took confidence in the fact that part of his wish had already come true—they were able to ignore the Incident enough to talk of other things.
    The announcement for supper was made, and they both looked toward the ballroom doors, where guests were beginning to make their way toward the supper room. Lord Strapshire appeared in the doorway, glaring at them.
    “The time has gone too quickly,” Bianca said as they both stood. She faced him and reached for his hand. “Thank you, again, for doing all of this. I hope it will be over soon, for your sake.”
    “Do not worry about me,” he said, hoping she could feel the meaning behind his words. “I am enjoying myself immensely.”
    She cocked her head to the side. “Are you really?”
    He nodded slowly, holding her eyes throughout the motion.
    She smiled again, wide and with a slight dimple in her cheek. “Well, thank you, again.”
    He inclined his head and put out his arm so that he might escort her to the looming Strapshire. “You are welcome. Again.”

FIVE
     
    Lord Strapshire was no less insufferable during supper than he had ever been on past occasions, but Bianca found him less tedious, surely due to the balm Mathew gave her with his attention. His kindness, though the result of returning the favor he owed her, gave her hope that one day a man more like him, and less like the silly baron, would have interest in her without her having to request it. She would like a man who listened to her the way Mathew did, who explained his goals and ambition and didn’t put so much stock in appearances that he had little else to offer. She would like that