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do,” he replied, as comprehension dawned.
    “Exactly,” Ashleigh exclaimed, clapping her hands excitedly.
    “My dear, while I understand your eagerness to see Brendon settled, I would advise you not to get your hopes up unnecessarily.  It was only one dance after all,” he cautioned. 
    “Yes, you’re right of course.  It was only one dance,” she acknowledged.  “Nevertheless, it is an altogether unexpected and potentially promising turn of events.” 
    “Ashleigh-”
    You know, darling,” she said then, placing her hand lightly upon her husband’s arm, effectually interrupting whatever it was that he’d been about to say.  “I was thinking that perhaps we should host a dinner party in honor of Brendon’s recent homecoming,” she continued, her tone enthusiastic
    Nicholas blinked in surprise.  “A dinner party?”
    Ashleigh nodded, her green eyes twinkling.  “Nothing too elaborate, just a handful of guests.”
    “I see.  And should I assume that the Hewitts will be on the guest list?” he asked with an all too knowing look.
    “Darling, but of course,” she replied as a Machiavellian grin lit up her face.
     
     
     
    Just over an hour later, Brendon walked through the front door of Boodle’s, one of London’s most exclusive gentlemen’s clubs, the pleasantness of his mood becoming even more pronounced as he entered the private, males-only establishment.  Mercifully devoid of fresh-faced, giggling debutantes and their machinating mothers, it was the perfect place for a man to enjoy a fine glass of brandy, engage in a bit of stimulating conversation and partake in a rousing game of cards.  And within minutes of his arrival, Brendon was contentedly enjoying all three.
    “I say Leighton, was that you I saw waltzing with Huxley’s sister at the Chesterfield ball earlier this evening?” Percival Montcliffe asked as Brendon studied the cards he’d just been dealt. 
    He looked up, his expression nonchalant as he regarded Montcliffe over the tops of his cards.  “I would imagine so.  Why do you ask?”
    “Not like you, that’s all,” Percival replied as he cast one of his cards onto the center of the felt-covered table.
    Brendon grinned rakishly, arching the brow over his left eye.  “Not like me to dance with a beautiful woman, Percy?”
    Percival snorted.  “A beautiful woman yes, an innocent young miss, no .”
    “Yes, I suppose that’s true enough,” Brendon replied, chuckling as he tossed one of his own cards onto the table.
    “Hells bells, don’t tell us you’re thinking of adding your name to the list of Lady Daphne’s suitors,” Marcus Tolliver, the gentleman sitting to Brendon’s left exclaimed, his eyes going wide.
    “Hardly,” Brendon scoffed good-humoredly.  “It was one dance, gentlemen,” he reminded them.  “She’s a lovely girl, no doubt about that, but I assure you that I am at present quite happy with my life just as it is.”  However, even as he spoke the words he had to admit, if only to himself , that the thought of furthering his acquaintance with Lady Daphne Hewitt was far more tempting than he cared to acknowledge.
    “Glad to hear it,” Richard Ashton stated with a vigorous bob of his blonde head. 
    “And why is that?” Brendon asked with an amused glance toward the man sitting to his right.
    “Well damn, Leighton, if there’s a woman out there capable of convincing you to surrender your bachelor status, then surely the rest of us don’t stand a chance,” he avowed.
    “Ha,” Marcus scoffed with a teasing grin. “You don’t fool us, Ashton.  I’d wager the real reason that you’re glad Leighton’s not interested in pursuing Lady Daphne is because you’re still hoping to win the lady’s affections yourself, and if Leighton was in the mix you know you wouldn’t stand a chance.”
    While the others chuckled and boisterously voiced their agreement with Marcus’ assessment, Brendon merely sat back in his chair and