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since his mother would be the one to suffer most from any potential rumors, he had no choice but to do as she asked.
    “Don’t worry,” Casper said with an impish smile. “I’ll be more than happy to keep Miss Smith entertained while you see to your ducal duties.”
    Anthony had no doubt that he would, but knowing his friend’s devilish ways, he didn’t feel the least bit reassured by his willingness to help. Not when it came to Miss Smith. He was trying to think of an excuse to prevent Casper from spending any time with her when the lady herself said, “How kind of you, Mr. Goodard.”
    “It’s settled then,” his mother declared as she took Miss Smith by the arm and started leading her back inside.
    Anthony waited until they were out of earshot before he turned to Casper and said, “If you so much as look at her in an inappropriate fashion, I’ll call you out.”
    Placing a hand upon his heart Casper said, “I promise I’ll be on my best behavior.”
    Anthony frowned.
    “Your lack of confidence wounds me,” Casper said with exaggerated sadness.
    Anthony’s frown deepened.
    “Look,” Casper said with a sigh. “Miss Smith is clearly more interested in you than she ever was in me—though I cannot begin to imagine why. Regardless of my reputation, I have never once risked ruining our friendship for the sake of a woman, have I?”
    Forced to concede the point, Anthony shook his head.
    “And I’ve no desire to do so now. If she’s so important to you, then I won’t ruin it for you—you have my word on that.”
    “Thank you,” Anthony said with a nod as he started after his mother and Miss Smith. “I realize how strange it must seem to you, given everything we’ve been through together, but there’s something special about her, and I . . . well, I suppose I’d just like to keep her to myself for the remainder of the evening—find out if there’s a chance for anything more.” Considering what he knew of her, he somehow doubted that she would agree, and yet he couldn’t shake the feeling that their paths had crossed for a reason.
    Keeping pace with him, Casper raised an eyebrow. “More? You’re not thinking of reverting to your sinful ways with Miss Smith, are you?”
    “God no,” Anthony said. He realized a moment later that Casper had stopped walking, and he stopped as well so he could turn to look at him.
    “Surely you’re not contemplating marriage!” Casper was staring at Anthony as if his head had just fallen off his shoulders. “You barely know her!”
    “Casper,” Anthony warned. “I have no intention of marrying anyone . . . yet. So if you don’t mind, I’d greatly appreciate it if you’d refrain from hollering about it for the entire world to hear.”
    “My apologies,” Casper whispered. “I can’t imagine what came over me.”
    Anthony rolled his eyes before adding, “I happen to like Miss Smith.” Her soon to be fiancé aside . “And since I am entertaining thoughts of marrying in the not so distant future, I’ve decided to start looking at all potential candidates.”
    Casper gaped at him. “Are you serious?”
    “Quite. In fact, I’ve never been more serious about anything else in my life, and while you may be correct in that I don’t know Miss Smith well enough yet to propose to her, I do know that she’s very forgiving and has a splendid sense of humor.” And before he was tempted to tell his friend more about the time he’d spent in Miss Smith’s company, he hurried up the steps and strode inside the ballroom.

 
    Chapter 6

    “H ave you met my daughter, the Countess of Huntley?” the dowager duchess asked as she guided Isabella along the periphery of the room.
    “No, I have not yet had the pleasure,” Isabella said, eyeing the duchess. She felt as though she ought to address the topic that was hanging over them like a storm cloud waiting to burst. Apologizing for her unauthorized attendance would be the proper thing to do—especially since