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There was a fresh charm about her, from her pert blond curls and aristocratic little nose right down to the dainty foot that peeped from beneath the hem of her fashionable pelisse.
    He wondered why she had never married, for surely it could not have been for the lack of suitors. A fellow could scarce get near the lady a few years back, and he doubted if things had changed overmuch.
    "You surprise the,” he said, giving voice to his thoughts. “I expected you to be married, and that lad your own."
    Clare blushed as she hadn't in years. Flustered as a green girl, she said, “I am scolded by my family ever and anon for placing myself on the shelf, sir.” She made a pretense of checking William, tucking the flannel blanket about his chin.
    "Well, I, for one, am quite pleased to see you in a blessedly single state.'’ He chuckled at her surprised glance, so revealing.
    Her long lashes fanned over warm cheeks at his laugh and what he implied by his words. Goodness, she was as bad as a Bath miss, to feel so upside down, so allover queer. Just because a devastatingly handsome man tells one he is glad she is unmarried does not mean anything serious.
    "I might say the same for you,” she began, then realized immediately how that must sound. “That is, I am surprised you are yet unmarried. You were much sought after, as I recall."
    "Until the mamas determined I had not a feather to fly with. Leastways, only a very small feather."
    "You sound remarkably tranquil about the matter. I gather you must have landed on your feet wherever you went.” She patted the baby where he snuggled against her shoulder, smiling at Mr. Talbot as she rubbed her cheek against the fine wool.
    His reply was lost a moment as he observed the sensual movement of her face against the soft fabric. Her eyes had a dreamy quality to their gentle blue, and he wondered why some man had not claimed this lovely creature for his own long before this. Did she have any notion how appealing she looked with the babe in her arms? A man might get ideas, very permanent ideas, just looking at her.
    Clearing his throat, he continued his explanation. “I went to the family plantation in Jamaica. With a spot of good fortune, I was able to expand our holdings there and increase the profits. When my father died, I discovered he had willed the entire place to the. I have managed to do well enough."
    Clare liked his modesty, for another could have bragged about his wealth. Richard Talbot revealed as much by what he didn't say as by what was uttered.
    "I had hoped to do well enough in Bath, myself,” she teased. “I fear this young man has put paid to my ambitions. The quidnuncs have had a glory day with the on-dit of an unmarried lady and an infant."
    "No!” he replied, shocked that any taint of gossip should be placed against the lovely woman who had always been above suspicion of impropriety in years past. He shook his head, unwilling to believe the ladies of Bath could be so silly and blind. “Did no one inquire as to the truth of the matter?"
    "There's the rub. I suspect there may be a secret motive for placing the baby with the. How can I broadcast my innocence without putting him in danger, be that the case?"
    Richard found it utterly absurd to even think she might be right about the whole matter. Surely one of the women would decry the gossip as being ridiculous?
    At that moment, Clare decided she had best get home before one of the tabbies saw her with Mr. Talbot and added to the gossip. Rising, she bowed her head, unable to shake his hand or curtsy. “Thank you for the lovely visit, sir. I trust we shall meet again while you visit in Bath."
    "I lost my lodging because of a delay and have been put to finding another place to live. But I am settled in the Edgar buildings now and surely will seek you out at your address."
    Pleased he was to pursue their friendship, Clare informed him of their direction. She was surprised at his reaction.
    "Oh, ho, so you are the ones