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than accept me because it has been understood by our families that we will wed. We have always had a deep affection for each other and that is a far better foundation for marriage than a brief infatuation.”
    “Then you do at least admit the possibility that she is infatuated by Rainsborough?”
    “I am not blind, my dear sister. Nor stupid. But I am quite sure that when the Season ends, I will be announcing our betrothal.”
    “I hope you are right, Giles. I myself think you need to make a stronger push for yourself. After all, Clare is young and inexperienced. I would hate to think of her being overwhelmed by Rainsborough’s sophistication.” Sabrina felt a bit devious, but she knew that an appeal to Giles’s sense of responsibility for Clare would rouse him to action better than an appeal for his own best interest.
    “You don’t think he is any real danger to her reputation, Sabrina? Or her virtue?”
    “What does anyone know of Rainsborough, Giles? He has been away for the past six years, after all.”
    “Perhaps you are right, and it is time I declared myself.”
    Sabrina smiled across at her brother. “I think you should, Giles. And soon!”
     

Chapter Three
     
    Giles had not been as indifferent to the situation as he had led his sister to believe. He had become increasingly concerned over the past two weeks as it became clear that the earl was pursuing Clare, but what he had told Sabrina was what he had told himself: that Clare needed to enjoy a flirtation before she committed herself to marriage.
    Except that this was beginning to look like something more than a light flirtation. The earl was very handsome and very charming and quite single-minded in his attention. Giles had to admit to himself that he did feel more than a twinge of jealousy each time Rainsborough approached Clare and he saw the expression of surprised delight on her face. She had never looked up at him like that. Oh, she was always pleased to see him, pleased to dance with him, but they were old friends, so how could his attentions surprise her? And while he had no insecurity about his attractiveness to women, he had to admit he looked fairly unprepossessing next to the darkly handsome earl.
    What he had said to Sabrina was true: he trusted Clare. He trusted her loyalty to their friendship. But perhaps it was time that he stepped in, before Rainsborough caused too much gossip or demanded a passionate response from Clare that Giles knew she was not ready to give. Tonight he would make it clear that Clare was spoken for.
    * * * *
    It was unfortunate for Giles that as he and Sabrina were about to set off for the Allendale rout, it was discovered that one of his grays was favoring his hind leg and had to be replaced. It made them late, and by the time they arrived, Rainsborough had claimed Clare as a supper partner, her waltzes were all taken, and Giles had to settle for one country-dance. Giles ended up squiring Lucy Kirkman into supper and had to listen to her pseudo-sympathetic observation on Clare’s obvious preference for new faces.
    “I had thought that you and she would have announced your betrothal by now, Giles,” she said.
    “Oh, I wish to give Clare every opportunity to enjoy her first Season,” he answered. “I am quite pleased to see my future wife such a success.” It was perhaps unwise to have been that open, but Lucy had quite driven him to it.
    He was not pleased to watch Clare and Rainsborough out of the corner of one eye. The earl was sitting very close to her and seemed to be whispering compliments into her ear, if her blushes were anything to go by. And after supper, Giles was never able to get Clare alone. Then, after a waltz, Rainsborough and she slipped out into the garden.
    * * * *
    The last week had been as disturbing for Clare as it had been for Giles and Sabrina. She knew she was falling in love with Rainsborough. Nay, she had fallen in love with him almost at first sight, she now realized. For what else