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already have.”
    Closing her eyes, she realized how that would sound to
anyone nearby. She could be ruining her reputation in the eyes of the ton .
She should return to her mother and wait to speak to Mr. Tilbury when they were
in the privacy of Mrs. Granderson’s home.
    Mr. Tilbury wouldn’t drop the subject. “I thought only of my
aunt and her guests and had no other motive. Your brother would wish me to see
that your visit to London is everything you wish it to be.”
    She mentally thanked him for that bit, should anyone be
eavesdropping. But she hoped he could see in her eyes what she wanted to say.
“Gilbert wouldn’t expect any favors that might be misunderstood by others.”
    He gazed down as her when they reached the box, but didn’t
pull aside the curtain right away. “I wrote to Gilbert several weeks ago, so
there may be no misunderstanding of my intentions.”
    Jean’s lips parted to reply, but no words came out. No words
formed in her mind, as if it went completely numb. Mr. Tilbury led her to her
seat, spoke with his aunt and her friend, then sat beside Jean as the curtain
rose for the next act.
    The nerve of the man. He’d written to her brother of his
intentions without even telling her what he planned. Gilbert might assume she
wished to accept Mr. Tilbury’s offer, when at that moment she wasn’t certain if
he suggested marriage or some less-than-proper arrangement. Not that it
mattered, because she had no desire for any sort of relationship with him and
planned to tell him as soon as she had the chance.
    Not in a passageway with every busybody in London looking
for the latest tidbit. She was not someone who should draw anyone’s notice, if
she weren’t standing with a gentleman known to have recently come into an
inheritance of grand proportions. She planned to remain beneath everyone’s
notice even after the end of the Season, when hopefully she would retire to the
country to plan her wedding. To a man of her choosing.
    Her wedding. Was it only a few months ago she’d been
daydreaming of the event? Which of the new gowns she’d ordered would suit a
simple ceremony in a country church, as she couldn’t see herself ever marrying
in Westminster Abbey or any church in London. It didn’t matter whom she married,
a duke, earl or captain, she wasn’t suited to grand gatherings.
    The presence of the gentleman beside her continually
intruded into her thoughts. His clean scent encroached upon her. He rarely
moved during the play, yet she was certain she felt every time his arm shifted
when he inhaled.
    Jean no longer had any clue what the performance was about
and hoped her mother wouldn’t ask later. It couldn’t be over soon enough to
suit her. She needed to get far away from Mr. Tilbury.
    * * * * *
    Ben arrived at his aunt’s home early in the afternoon after
sending a note asking Miss Seton if she cared to take a drive. He’d been
slightly surprised when she responded she would. She’d been so annoyed with him
at Drury Lane, and he wasn’t certain what he’d done to incur her wrath. It
couldn’t be the ices that caused her distress.
    He knew her well enough to know she’d tell him in no
uncertain terms, should she still be angry.
    Miss Seton greeted him with a frosty smile as she pulled on
her gloves. “Mr. Tilbury, how delightful.”
    “I’m as delighted as you are, if not more so.” It took every
measure of strength he had not to laugh at the narrowing of her eyes that
earned him.
    “Where shall we drive today? Hyde Park again? It’s rather
early to go there.”
    “If you wish. Or we can take a casual route and see some of
the grander homes. Would you enjoy that?”
    She looked off in the distance as he settled into the
phaeton beside her. “Yes, I believe I would,” she said softly.
    “Mayfair it is, then.” The air was warm, reminding Ben the
Season would be winding down soon. He needed to press his suit before Jean had
other offers to consider, since she only had one