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Ava,” he said, and noted that her companions looked at her with great astonishment as he bowed over her hand. He deduced, judging by the way she closely watched him
    as if she expected him to c onfess how he’d made her acquaintance, that she had not told anyone about their carriage ride together —an encounter that was now playing itself out in his mind’s eye.
    When he let go of her hand, she gave him a brief and anxious smile. “I, ah…may I introduce you to my sister, Phoebe, and my cousin, Greer?” she asked, gesturing to each companion in turn, her eyes never leaving him.
    The two curtsied politely but peered at him suspiciously.
    “How do you do,” he said, and turned back to Ava. “I offer you my condolences for the loss of your mother.”
    “Oh,” Lady Ava said, her lovely face falling. “Thank you. It’s been almost a year since she left us, yet she
    is still greatly missed.”
    “Lady Ava.” Harrison had come down off his horse and stepped up to greet her. “How do you do?” “Lord Harrison,” she said, smiling warmly. “So good to see you again.”
    “Is Lord Downey still in France?” he asked. “When we last spoke, you rather t hought he’d return for the
    Season.”
    “At present, he is still in France, but we do expect him in the near future.”
    Not thinking clearly and terribly uncertain what he was about, Jared asked, “Will you attend the Season’s events?”
    Ava Fairchild blinked. “ We are in mourning.”
    “For one month more,” her cousin hastily interjected. “When we come out of mourning, we shall be pleased to accept invitations.”
    Lady Ava jerked her gaze to her cousin.
    “Then I shall very much look forward to seeing you again in a b allroom, Lady Ava,” he said with a smile.
    “I recall that you enjoy dancing.”
    Her eyes widened slightly, then narrowed. “I do indeed, my lord —particularly a waltz.”
    He almost laughed. “Then perhaps you will allow me the honor of reserving a waltz now?”
    “How very kind of you to ask,” she said, and the corners of her mouth turned up in a beguiling little smile.
    He understood, of course, that she did not necessarily agree to his request. He smiled with amusement, and noticed that she was indeed quite fair. He hadn’t really recalled just how fair.
    Lady Ava’s cheeks flushed an appealing shade of pink at his scrutiny; she glanced at the timepiece
    pinned to her breast. “Oh dear, we really must be on our way.” She lifted her gaze to him, her green eyes shining with some delight. “If you will pardon us?”
    “Of course,” Jared said, stepping back to allow them room to pass. “I look forward to seeing you during
    the course of the Season—and to the dance you have promised me.”
    “Good day, my lord,” she said, smiling coy ly. She shifted her gaze to Harrison and curtsied, as did her sister and cousin. “Good day.”
    “Good day, ladies,” Harrison said, lifting his hat. He and Jared watched as the three of them walked on, their heads together, their arms linked.
    Jared’s mind was whirling around the improbable, inconceivable idea that had popped into his head without warning and now refused to dislodge itself.
    As if he were reading Jared’s mind, Harrison sighed playfully. “Well,” he said, glancing sidelong at Jared. “She is an e arl’s daughter. I suppose you could do worse.”
    Jared smiled.
    “Have you considered, old chum, what a certain widow will make of it?”
    “I’ve not considered a blessed thing,” he said truthfully. But as he admired Lady Ava’s derriere as she moved away, he wa s struck by the peculiar feeling of being particularly intrigued, just as he had been the first time he’d met her. He glanced at Harrison and winked. “Miranda…” He shook his head, reaching
    for his horse. “I will speak with Miranda.”

Five
    “B ut how did you meet him?” Phoebe demanded for the hundredth time since they’d arrived home yesterday afternoon. “I don’t recall