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sight; yet, I must admit, even in my fear, I was more than a little thrilled. . . .
     
    The Adventures of a Country Miss in London
    “It is exceedingly kind of you to take us to the park this afternoon.” Marianne strolled at Thomas’s side and slanted him a glance from beneath thick lashes. The younger girls walked a few steps in front of them. “Especially since it was only yesterday that you managed to fit us into your busy schedule at all.”
“Yes, well, I can be exceedingly kind when the occasion calls for it,” Thomas said with a grin. “Although admittedly it was scarcely a sacrifice to spend a few minutes waltzing with beautiful women. I daresay I will be the envy of every man in the park with the three of you by my side.”
    “Are you showing us off, then?” Marianne tilted her head. “Like wares to prospective buyers?”
    “Not at all.” Genuine indignation flooded him. “My intention in escorting you here was nothing of the sort.”
    “Only because you didn’t think of it,” she said primly.
    “My dear lady, I . . . ” His denial ground to a halt. Displaying them was an excellent idea and he should have thought of it. He ignored the realization and adopted his sincerest manner. “I simply think this is the least I can do to make up for the disgraceful lack of attention I have paid you and your sisters since your arrival.” Even to his own ears it didn’t ring true.
    “Yes, it is. However, I do hope we have not inconvenienced you, pulling you from the comfort of hearth and home to brave the crowds of Hyde Park.” The corners of her mouth quirked upward slightly as if she were holding back a smile.
    At once he realized, regardless of her other charges, she knew exactly why he had proposed they join the parade of those wishing to see and be seen who frequented the park every afternoon. And it had little to do with his effort at being a gracious host.
    “There is scarcely any difference today between the crowds here and those at Effington House,” he said wryly.
The duchess’s ball was tomorrow and it seemed the fevered pitch of work in the household had accelerated, if possible, in preparation for the grand event. Lord knew the Duke and Duchess of Roxborough had had any number of entertainments in the past, yet he couldn’t remember ever seeing the household in such a frenzy. Perhaps it was due to the absence of his mother’s personal attention. Admittedly it could well be that he’d simply never paid heed to such activity before.
    Now, however, he was the official host, and the ultimate responsibility for the success or failure of the ball, and the launching of the Shelton sisters into society, would be laid at his feet. “I’m afraid I couldn’t face another minute of it.”
    Besides, if he was to marry these girls off properly and quickly, this was the perfect opportunity to get to know them better without the protective gaze of Lady Dragon. He’d scarcely gained any useful information yesterday, although Jocelyn had let slip the younger girls’ refusal to wed before their older sister. Marianne was obviously the key to his success. She’d been surprisingly quiet during their dance. Rather as if she were considering some matter of grave importance that had nothing to do with her partner at the moment. The idea that a young woman could be in his arms yet oblivious to his charms was disgruntling, to say the least. Particularly this young woman, since he’d been all too aware of her. The scent of her hair and the warmth of her hand in his and the quite enjoyable feel of her in his arms.
Today she seemed much more the talkative creature she’d appeared in the library and he had suggested abandoning their carriage for the footpaths precisely to be able to engage her in relatively private conversation. And admittedly, he rather liked not having to share her attention.
    Marianne nodded toward a sedate, dark-haired beauty riding in an open carriage. “I think she looks like a