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conversation on the subject,"
    Annabella said." She was kind enough to
    give me her opinion as to the sort of
    husband Lord Barton would make."
    Lucas broke in on the fraternal wrangl
    ing, his interest sharpened by Annabella's
    last remark." How was Miss Huntington
    able to form an opinion about Barton?"
    Oh, I believe he pursued her quite
    industriously for several months last year.
    During that time she had an opportunity
    to learn a great deal about him."
      Did she?" Lucas was aware of the chill
    in his own words." Just what did she
    learn?"
      A number of small items such as the
    fact that Barton has apparently fathered a
    babe or two on his mistress, that he has
    been known to get so deeply into his cups
    that he has had to be carried into his house
    by his coachman, and that he has a passion
    for gaming hells," Annabella answered.
      Here now," Lyndwood muttered," can't
    hold a few insignificant peccadilloes against
    a man."
      Really?" inquired a familiar, husky
    female voice from the open window of
    the carriage." Would Viscount Barton be
    equally prepared to overlook a similar
    list of insignificant peccadilloes in his
    prospective wife?"
    Lucas turned his head sharply toward
    the carriage window, aware that the mere
    sound of Victoria's voice had immediately
    reactivated the desire he had first experienced
    in Jessica Atherton's card room.
    He concealed his eagerness with the cold
    control he had learned years ago, prepared
    to greet his heiress with proper formality.
    But instead of a striking woman in an
    elegant gown and bonnet, he found himself
    staring at a figure dressed to the nines
    in men's clothes. Laughing eyes met his
    through the shadows, challenging him.
      Good God," he said through his teeth,
      this is insanity."
      No, my lord, this is amusing."
    Lucas recovered himself as he heard the
    groom start to clamber down from the
    driver's seat. He shoved open the door
    before the man could arrive to open it
    properly, and reached out and caught hold
    of Victoria's wrist before she realized his
    intent. He had been expecting a lady with
    a taste for some mild adventure, not this
    outrageous creature.
      Get in here, you little baggage, before
    someone recognizes you."
    His urgency brought Victoria through the
    door far more quickly than she intended.
    She gasped as she landed heavily on the
      seat beside Lucas and grabbed her beaver
    trimmed hat to keep it in place. He saw she
    was clutching an expensive-looking inlaid
    walking stick in her hand.
      Thank you, my lord," she said with
    heavy sarcasm.
    Lucas ignored her." Let's get out of here,
    Lyndwood.
    Lyndwood obliged by tapping his stick
    against the roof of the carriage." To the
    park, if you please," he called out.
    Annabella smiled at Victoria as the
    carriage clattered into motion." You look
    very well turned out this evening, Vicky.
    Do I detect BrummelPs influence in your
    choice of blue? He is particularly fond of
    the color, I'm told. But you have always
    preferred yellow."
      I decided a yellow coat might be a
    bit too striking for the occasion," Victoria
    conceded.
      So you limited yourself to a yellow
    waistcoat. I congratulate you on your
    sense of restraint. And, pray tell, who
    tied your cravat? I warrant I haven't seen
    such a clever design in ages."
      Like it, do you?" Victoria fingered the
    carefully arranged neckcloth." Invented this
    particular fold myself. Call it the Victoire."
    Annabella gave a peal of laughter." Vicky,
    I swear you sound just like one of the
    dandies on Bond Street. You've got the
    whole tone exactly right. Just the proper
    sense of affected boredom. I declare you
    could trod the boards and make ydur living
    as an actress."                               "
      Why, thank you, Bella. That is high
    praise indeed."
    Lucas lounged back in the seat and
    surveyed the striking figure beside him with
    a critical eye. His initial shock was giving
    way to annoyance and a