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compromised you. I am sorry from my heart that you have no choice, but really I do not think you have.”
    â€œNo one need even know what happened,” she said. “It was all rather silly nonsense anyway. I believe you refine altogether too much on it, my lord.”
    He reached for her hand and held it in a firm grip. Alexandra looked down at their clasped hands, embarrassed and not knowing if she should snatch her own away. He seemed not to be conscious of what he had done.
    â€œThe whole thing is already common knowledge,” he said. “Did you not know? I did not think you could have escaped doing so. Servants, it seems, are not quite as discreet as we might hope. Amberley has already dismissed the footman responsible, but it is too late to repair the damage. I am afraid your reputation has been badly compromised.”
    â€œOh, nonsense!” Alexandra turned away from him, using the movement as an excuse to withdraw her hand from his. “I was not in any way to blame for what happened. Everyone will realize that. And you made a mistake. Everyone will know that too. The whole matter will doubtless become a joke over which everyone will laugh heartily. I shall be horribly embarrassed to be seen in public for the next two or three days. But a little laughter never hurt anyone. I will be none the worse for it.”
    Lord Eden passed his fingers through his hair, leaving it considerably more disheveled than even the current fashion would allow. “Far be it from me to contradict a lady,” he said, “but do you know much about the ways of society, ma’am?”
    â€œI have lived my whole life on my father’s estate,” she said, “but I do assure you, Lord Eden, that I was brought up to know the difference between right and wrong. And I expect everyone who can lay claim to the name of lady or gentleman to know the same. I expect the same people to have a good deal of sense.”
    â€œOh, Lord!” he said.
    â€œSo you see,” she continued, folding her hands before her again and injecting a note of finality into her voice, “your concern is not really necessary, my lord. But I thank you for your visit and your offer. I will wish you good day. My father said ten minutes, and he does not take kindly to disobedience.”
    â€œMiss Purnell!” He strode impulsively toward her again and reached out both hands for hers. He did not wait for her to respond. He took her clasped hands and separated them with his own. “I beg you to reconsider. You do not know what is facing you when you leave this house. I cannot bear the thought that I have brought that on you. Marry me. I will not be a hard master, I promise you. I will treat you with the utmost respect and affection. I owe you that, though I do believe that I would offer the same to any wife. Please marry me. Allow me to protect you.”
    Alexandra was touched despite her embarrassment over his proximity and his hands clasping hers. She only just stopped herself from returning the pressure of his hands.
    â€œThank you,” she said. “I truly thank you. But I am to marry His Grace of Peterleigh. There has been an understanding between us since I was in my infancy. I must leave now, my lord. My father will be very angry if I do not.”
    Then she did return the pressure of his hands before she realized what she was doing, pulled her own away, and made her way from the room before he had a chance to detain her further. She ran up the stairs to her mother’s sitting room, thankful that at last the whole ridiculous and humiliating episode was at an end.

    L ORD A MBERLEY SAT IN Mrs. Eunice Borden’s drawing room listening to her talk. Or rather not listening. She was telling him about a book of poems her latest protégé had presented her with the previous evening. He was smiling and watching her, not deliberately inattentive, but not listening even so.
    â€œIt is unusual for you to