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the fact that a flurry of ladies had come running to greet him and the other new arrivals. But mostly him.
    “I’d better go,” Felicity said in a taut voice, then hurried down the rest of the staircase to attend her aunt.
    Trinny went with her. Lady Kirby was now safely down the stairs; the rogues were gently setting her on her feet on the marble floor. All the young men were joking with her, for she was a great favorite with them for her unconventional views, and because she occasionally gambled with them. Clearly loving all the attention, she poked blond, charming Lord Sidney in the backside with her cane.
    He yelped and whipped around. “You vixen! What was that for?”
    “You were in my way,” the dowager informed him calmly.
    He narrowed his cobalt eyes at her in playful warning. “I think I know better.”
    “Look at her, having the time of her life,” Felicity muttered. “Shameless.”
    “Not that one can blame her,” Trinny said, looking askance at her disapproving friend.
    Felicity faltered, though, as she neared Netherford, who was greeting Her Ladyship. “You’re looking well, ma’am.” He then offered Felicity a polite but highly cautious smile. “Miss Carvel.”
    “Your Grace.” Her wide-eyed stare at the large, dark-haired man softened a little, seemingly in spite of herself. “Perfect timing, as usual,” she added.
    His brown eyes searched hers with pensive regret. “We’re always missing each other somehow,” he said in a surprisingly gentle tone.
    But Trinny furrowed her brow, watching their exchange. If His Grace really wanted to see Felicity, all he had to do was come to the ball on time.
    Her friend seemed to flounder, nodded, and dropped her gaze. “Indeed. Good evening.” Clearing her throat, Felicity mumbled good night to him, waved to Trinny, and then stepped outside while Mrs. Brown tried to coax Her Ladyship toward the exit as well.
    “Come, Aunt, our coach is waiting!” Felicity said impatiently, peering in again after a moment.
    “That girl really needs to relax,” Lord Roland remarked as he sauntered toward Trinny with a lazy smile.
    “Pardon, that girl is my friend,” she chided playfully, though her heart beat faster as he neared.
    “It’s nevertheless true.” He shrugged, calm, cool, and unflappable, with naught but a telltale sparkle of roguery in his eyes.
    Trinny gazed into them, the mystery of their color solved now. Dark green with shades of gray and deep blue…like cloud shadows moving over wooded hills on a warm summer day.
    “So,” he drawled, looking her over discreetly, “this is what you look like in the light. Not bad. I hardly recognize you without your nose all swollen.”
    “How now!” she retorted, yet she was grateful. His irreverent jest had instantly dispelled the awkwardness between them.
    “Well, it seems we meet again,” he added. “How’s the ball?”
    She shrugged, amused. “Same as every week.”
    “You’re not leaving, too, are you?” he asked, glancing at the door through which her friend had gone.
    “No.”
    “Good. I was hoping I’d run into you,” he said.
    “Likewise. I’ve been quite eager to talk to you,” she said with a grin. “I have news .”
    “Hmm, so I hear. Let me escort you back to the ballroom if you’re headed that way. You must tell me all.” He offered her his arm as they drifted back toward the staircase. They had not been formally introduced yet, but she could not resist the invitation. The man was practically a stranger, but he was the only person on earth who knew the real truth behind her unconventional decision.
    Besides, after his kiss that night, she had thought of him often. She wondered if he’d thought about her, too.
    “So…it’s quite the talk of the square this week. Congratulations are in order for Glendon girl number two, I understand?”
    “Yes. My sister Lady Abigail and her Freddie.”
    “What happened?” he murmured.
    “You did,” she said, taking his arm when