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nonsensical notion but it seemed her father-in-law never took his eyes from her, and she agonized over which impropriety she was committing that he should frown at her so.
    Once her waltz with Theo was over, she did not lack for partners, one of whom was the daunting Marquis of Trevelin. The only circumstance that overshadowed the unpleasantness of his scarred mouth was his unsavory reputation. As a debutante nearly a decade past, Anne was thoroughly warned away from him. She thought it all of a piece to be waltzing in his arms in the same hour she had seen her first phantom and suspected his request for a set was at the behest of the Duke who
would
insist on meddling in her affairs even when not under his roof. Theo was quite in demand, as well, but she knew to credit his dancing every set to his impeccable manners and quiet charm. In the end, there wasn’t the opportunity to slip away with him to inspect the painting in the portrait gallery.
    Quite late in the evening, as she made her way through the throngs of people in order to find a moment to recover from the overwhelming heat, she found herself quitting the room in train with the Duke and his nephew, Sir Anthony. Just ahead of them was the Duchess and Lady Crenshaw who looked at daggers drawn. She eschewed the odious habit of eavesdropping, but she was more than a little curious as to what the disagreement could be about. Surely, she should not be held accountable for any words that reached her ears of their own accord.
    “I do believe we should affiance my son to your daughter,” the Duke pronounced with a smile so smug and wide even Anne could see it from her position just behind his shoulder.
    “I haven’t a daughter,” Sir Anthony replied with a cat-in-the-cream pot smile of his own.
    “That is as it may be. Nevertheless, you one day shall,” His Grace returned as if privy to future events unknown by any but God.
    “I thank you for the honor, but I am persuaded the idea appeals to the Duchess not at all.”
    “No, I suppose it does not.”
    “Am I right, then, in thinking you enjoy causing her discomfort?” Sir Anthony asked in obvious surprise. As for Anne, she was not in the least astonished.
    “What I enjoy,” the Duke purred, “is witnessing my wife’s delight at the discomfort of yours.”
    With those words, the Duchess spun around and, in a voice loud enough for Anne to hear, announced her view on the matter. “Just think, we are to be in-laws to one another’s children!”
    Anne thought Lady Crenshaw not in the least grateful for the honor as her face turned sheet-white. She, however, said nothing, a lack of response that seemed to drive the Duchess wild. With a smile that showed every one of her teeth, she took her husband by the arm and led him quickly away.
    The exchange deepened Anne’s desire to be free of the Duke and his sway over her. A week ago she would never have countenanced so much as the contemplation of marriage, but that was before she had met Theodore Williams, a man so gentle and kind that she have need have no fear he would treat her with anything but honor. Moreover, unlike her husband, Theo would surely stand up for her, protect her and indulge her wishes. The fact that his smile spread to his eyes so that they twinkled like stars and her heart beat a bit faster at the sight of him was a sure sign that they should suit. However, barring a glance or two of him on the dance floor, she did not see him again for the remainder of the ball.
    It was not the least unreasonable to assume he very well might be gone shortly after breakfast in the morning. As such, she climbed the stairs to her bedchamber with a heavy heart. She walked as slowly as possible to her door down the passageway in hopes he would magically appear at one end or the other as did the ghost in the graveyard. He did not. With great reluctance, she opened the door to her room and crossed the threshold feeling precisely as if she were sealing her fate, one that