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“I’m
not. It’s just…” She trailed off. She could explain neither her situation nor
the encounter behind the curtain with Lord Lionhurst. “I just already have something
very important to see to tonight.”
    “Oh, darling. What a goose I am! What
gentleman is in your line of fire tonight?”
    “No one in particular,” Gillian
replied, not certain she was ready to divulge her mission to Sally just yet, or
possibly ever.
    “Have you forgotten about Mr.
Sutherland?” Whitney interjected, a gleam of mischief in her eye. “I thought
you wanted to marry him?”
    “Whitney, hush!” How embarrassing and
typical of Whitney to stir up trouble by blurting such a thing to Sally. Now
Sally would ask questions that Gillian could not answer.
    “How very interesting.” Sally
scrutinized her. “Why do you wish to marry Mr. Sutherland? He would take you
away from England.”
    “I have my reasons for wanting him.” She
prayed Sally would accept her vague answer.
    Sally’s mouth tightened, but she
nodded. “Well, I suppose I could assist you, though I really don’t wish to help
you capture a man who will whisk you away from me.”
    A swell of emotions rose up to lodge
in Gillian’s chest, but she pushed the tide back. Sentimentality would have to
wait. “How do you suppose you could help me? Do you know Mr. Sutherland?”
    “Not personally. Lionhurst is business
partners with him and has brought the man here tonight.”
    What a relief. After a week of trying
to meet Mr. Sutherland, she was finally going to get her chance. Gillian couldn’t
stop the smile from coming to her face.
    Sally grinned back. “I’m glad my
information pleases you. Lionhurst can introduce Mr. Sutherland to us both.”
    “Couldn’t you just introduce me to
Mr. Sutherland yourself after you meet him?” Something about Lord Lionhurst
made her think avoiding him would be best. So far, he’d caused her nothing but
trouble.
    “I would, darling, but there they
are. Together. ” Sally pointed toward the terrace door.
    Gillian followed the direction Sally
pointed. Her sight settled immediately on Lord Lionhurst’s tall figure. His
black hair shimmered under the light of the chandelier. His white shirt, cravat
and black pants would have been commonplace except he wore a ruby waistcoat
that fit him to perfection. A devilish grin danced across his face, as if
wicked thoughts played out in his mind. He was the apple in the Garden of Eden. Dangerous. Sinful .
    An involuntary sigh of appreciation
escaped her lips. Good God, she was a dolt! She glanced around to see if
anyone had noticed.
    An amused smile stretched across
Sally’s lips. “Are you positive your heart is safe?”
    “Completely certain. Mr. Sutherland
is the only man for me.”
    “Truly? What is it about Mr.
Sutherland’s looks that draws you to him?”
    Gillian quickly turned her gaze to
Mr. Sutherland as Sally quietly chuckled beside her. Blast Sally! She somehow
knew Gillian had not spared a glance toward Mr. Sutherland. As the men made
their way through the crowd and toward them, Gillian found it hard to keep Mr.
Sutherland in her sights with Lord Lionhurst there. The man was too tall, his
shoulders too broad.
    She forced herself to concentrate on
Mr. Sutherland. He had brown wavy hair that did not shine as the marquess’ black
locks did and—oh, good heavens. This comparison was going badly and in a
dangerous direction. She pasted a smile on her lips and kept her gaze planted
on Mr. Sutherland until both men stood before her.
    “Lionhurst, this is Lady Gillian, the
Duke of Kingsley’s eldest daughter. I’m sure you remember her,” Sally finished
with a throaty laugh.
    Gillian shot Sally a glare.
    “Of course, I mean after all these
years,” Sally finished with a shrug.
    Gillian focused on Lord Lionhurst and
prayed he would keep their meeting in the curtains to himself.
    His blue eyes crinkled with amusement
and something else—something possibly wicked. His bold gaze