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was like lifting a slender reed. A very delicate reed.
    “I’ll introduce you, shall I?”
    “I’d be obliged, Captain.” He tipped an imaginary hat.
    When the dance was at an end, they sought Rosalind out, though the tall man had not deserted her. Her arm rested on his sleeve and he was leaning down to whisper in her ear. She drew a hand up to her mouth and covered it as she laughed.
    Well, this flirtation is best put a stop to, in all events. Her partner is surely a bounder.
    “Miss Edwards?”
    Rosalind looked at him in surprise at this form of address. Then her gaze went to his companion. Her turquoise eyes grew round. “Good evening, your lordship.”
    Her tall companion looked upon Buck as though he were a particularly repellent snake. Buck offered him his hand. “Marquis of Deal,” he said.
    “Earl of Warmsby.” Unbefitting his name, his hand was cold. For once Buck was glad that his own rank was superior.
    “I would like to make my friend, Viscount Westringham, known to you both. He was my first lieutenant on board my last command.”
    A look he could only call conspiratorial passed between him and Rosalind. She curtseyed. “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, your lordship. How thrilling it must have been to serve under the captain. His stories make me quite quake in my slippers.”
    What role was she playing now? Helpless little thing? It did not suit her at all.
    Westringham bowed to her and shook hands perfunctorily with the Warmsby creature. “Are you engaged for this dance?” he asked Rosalind.
    Her entire face lit. “Why no, your lordship.”
    Buck’s former shipmate held out a hand. “Would you care to dance with me?”
    “I would be delighted.”
    The two moved off to the dance floor. Buck stood by Warmsby’s side and matched his glower. It was a waltz. The minx was dancing as though she thought herself in heaven. Westringham was undoubtedly completely taken in. He was a good man, but Rosalind would never marry anyone she could bamboozle so easily. Buck was very certain of that. And for once he was sorry that he could not dance.

{ 6 }
     
    W HAT WAS THE CAPTAIN ABOUT, introducing her to this man who might so easily rumble her disguise? Thank heavens she had had the forethought to lower the register of her voice yesterday. She hoped the captain did not slip and call her Rosalind!
    Fanny twirled in Westringham’s arms, easily focusing her practiced charm on him. Actually, he was a godsend, as Warmsby was becoming far too particular in his attentions and resentful of anyone else who dared speak with her. Elise would be surprised to know that her warnings had been sounding in Fanny’s head all evening, as Warmsby was never far away, except when she was dancing with another. Now he had had his two dances.
    Perhaps she would suggest to Lord Westringham that they take a stroll on the terrace following this waltz.
    “You seem so familiar to me,” the viscount said. “It is as though I have known you before.”
    “I’m quite certain we’ve never met.”
    “How long has it been since you were presented to the Queen?”
    “Three years, my lord.”
    “And I have been at sea in all that time. Do you think perhaps we met in a former life?”
    This was sailing close to the wind, indeed! “I think you very fanciful, my lord.”
    “We shall see. I have a very good memory, you know.”
    After a breathtaking twirl about the room, she said, “Until three years ago, I was kept very close to home in Shropshire. So unless you hail from Shropshire, my lord, I can safely say that we have never met.”
    “Your sister is the Duchess of Ruisdell, Deal tells me. Do you make your home with her now?”
    “Yes. She and the duke and their two children have a townhouse called Shearings. It is off Berkeley Square. To the east.”
    For a short time, the inquisition was ended. Fanny cast about for some neutral, non-threatening topic. “What was it like to serve under the captain?” she asked at