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friends to see them with him.”
    Kitty admitted to herself that she had seriously underestimated the variety and magnitude of her uncle's abilities. She knew that to succeed with women in these days of social refinement, any man must possess a good deal of address. She could not picture the Uncle Julian who corrected her conversation, and who was more likely to point out what was wrong with her appearance than compliment her on it, whispering gallant nothings into some lady of fashion's ear. Alice assured her that, contrary to appearance, her seemingly taciturn uncle was famed for his expertise in the art of dalliance when he wished to put forth the effort. Kitty could hardly wait to share her discovery with Lady Frances and to discover whether she were any more conversant with the d la mode way of marriage. If she were, it would certainly go a long way toward explaining her distaste for the London season with its universally accepted goal of the advantageous match. Mulling all this over, she gave herself up to Alice's deft ministrations in preparation for dinner.
     

Chapter Seven
     
    The marquess, feeling that he had done his duty and endured enough female company for at least a week—certainly for the day—strolled to Brooks's after dinner in search of convivial company. Luck was his. He encountered the Honorable Bertie Montgomery, exquisitely garbed in delicately shaded pantaloons and a coat that had taken the best of his own and his valet's efforts, as well as an inordinate amount of skill, to smooth onto his slender form without a wrinkle. The Honorable Bertie had been a close friend of Julian's since their days together at Eton and then Oxford. It was a friendship that continued to puzzle many who failed to see that the constantly cheerful Bertie provided a relaxing companionship for his more serious friend, while Julian's intelligence and adventurous nature flattered the sociable Bertie and provided him with a glimpse of exciting worlds without involving him in them.
    “Hallo, Julian,” he greeted him, his amiable face lighting with pleasure. “Hear you've become an ape leader this Season. Don't do it, my boy. M'mother was in a rare tweak all last year trying to pop off Susan.”
    Julian tried vainly to conjure up a vision of this damsel, but having been abroad much of the time, gave up.
    Sensing his difficulty, Bertie came immediately to his friend's rescue. “A nice little thing, Susan, but a bit on the mousy side.  You wouldn't remember her.”
    Looking at his friend's open but undistinguished countenance, Julian could readily believe this.
    “Get your niece betrothed quickly,” continued Bertie. “Mother found someone for Susan directly, and we were much more comfortable after that.”
    Julian smiled, “I shall keep your advice in mind, but I shall have very little to do with it. Lady Streatham is taking Kitty under her wing.” The marquess handed his cape to the servant at the door and ordered a bottle of port from another who rushed up to attend to their wishes. “I shall leave everything in her capable hands and lend my presence only when absolutely necessary. I would be exceedingly grateful to you, Bertie, if you would come support me tomorrow at the first fulfillment of my guardian duties at Lady Richardson's ball.'' Lord Mainwaring rarely asked anything of anybody, but this time the look he directed toward his friend was definitely beseeching.
    “Certainly, Julian, but Lady Richardson's ball is the opening event of the Season. Everyone will be there. It should not be so onerous a duty as all that.”
    The sardonic curl of the marquess's lips and the arrogant lifting of heavy dark brows were eloquent testimony to this gentleman's expectations of such an evening.
    “Oh, don't be so damned high in the instep, Julian! Such an evening can be quite entertaining. And not everyone there will be on the catch for you. I tell you what, my boy, it would do you a great deal of good to encounter some