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where I’ll endure old gossip and social affairs I detest, and all I might get for it is the removal of your brother from my sister’s affections. Fine. I’ll brave the gossipmongers, but only if you brave them with me. I’ll let Foxmoor court Louisa…if you let me court you.”
    She stared at him, mouth agape.
    I’ve got you now, Lady Lofty, he thought smugly.
    La Belle Dame Sans Merci let herself be seen welcoming the attentions of the disgusting Dragon Viscount? Never. She wouldn’t risk the damage that would do to her reputation as the darling of society. And then he could show Louisa once and for all how shallow her new friends were.
    As a smile tugged at his lips, her eyes hardened. “Now you think I’ll refuse.”
    “Of course not,” he said mockingly. “You have only my sister’s best interests at heart. So you’ll happily endure my company just to unite two lovers.”
    “I might. If I knew why you want to court someone of my ‘sort.’ ”
    He shrugged. “If I must go out into society, why not do it with a beautiful woman on my arm?” He let his gaze trail insolently over her, waiting until the color rose in her cheeks before adding, “In the right place, even the company of a woman like you can be enjoyable.”
    Her eyes narrowed on him. “Are you sure you’re not wanting to court me just to annoy my brother?”
    “I’ll admit that adds to the attraction, but no.” He threw out the first reason that came to him, knowing she would refuse his terms anyway. “It’s time I acquired a wife. Why not start my search at the top of the social ladder?”
    “How very flattering,” she remarked coldly.
    “I’m not asking you to marry me. I merely want you to give me your company exclusively, the way I’m letting your brother have my sister’s. If a woman of your station champions me, it will ease my way in society.”
    She regarded him intently for a long moment, then tipped up her chin. “Very well, I accept your proposal, sir.”
    His smile faltered. She couldn’t be serious. “Perhaps I didn’t make myself clear. I don’t mean a private courtship where I take you riding in the country or accompany you to a play in a darkened theater. You must dance with me publicly and ride in my carriage on Rotten Row. To truly soften the blow of my return to society, you must attend at least two or three public events on my arm.”
    Her eyes twinkled. “Is that all? I say we make it an even month of events. You’re allowing Simon and Louisa a month to court, so we should have the same.”
    “You think I’m joking—”
    “No, indeed. You don’t strike me as the sort to joke.”
    “Damned right, I’m not.” But could he really mean to go through with this?
    Oh yes. When it came to Louisa, he would brave anything. While it might hurt his sister’s standing to have him appear in public, her being found in a compromising position with the duke would destroy it. And having Prinny wheedle his way into her affections would be disastrous. Marcus knew firsthand how easily his manipulative father could ruin a life. Well, the man wouldn’t ruin Louisa’s.
    And if Foxmoor could use Marcus’s sister, then Marcus could certainly use Foxmoor’s. He’d make sure Lady Regina’s outings in society with him gave her a good taste of what being related to him would be like. Then Lady Lofty would beg her brother to stop courting Louisa. “So we’re agreed,” he said. “Simon courts Louisa; I court you.”
    She didn’t even flinch. “Fine by me.”
    “Very well. The Iversleys are having a soiree tomorrow evening to exhibit Louisa’s musical talents. I’ll be at your town house at seven to fetch you.”
    He thought she might balk, but she merely set her shoulders. “And Simon, too. I was invited, but he was not, since the Iversleys apparently share your disapproval of his interest in Louisa. But I’m not going anywhere unless he—”
    “I’ll take care of that right now.” He strode over to a