Lady Amelia Gregory adjusted her skirts as the well-endowed stable boy pulled up his trousers. She didn’t know his name, and she didn’t care. “Stay here,” she said. “Don’t follow me out.”

“My lady, I’d like to—”

“For God’s sake, don’t talk. I certainly didn’t come here for conversation.”

“But—”

“I got what I came for. You were acceptable. Now stay here, and don’t leave for at least fifteen minutes.”

“I’ll go out the back way.” The boy turned and walked away.

“Suit yourself.” Amelia hurried to the door of the stables and peeked out. Three horses were approaching. “Oh, bloody hell.”

Two of them headed left toward the guest stables, and one came toward her to the main stable. Midnight, carrying His Grace and that little twit, Lily Jameson. Amelia seethed. Not interested, my arse. The little fool can’t wait to become a duchess.

Amelia quickly turned around and headed for the back door of the stable, but it was too far away. She ducked into a stall behind a brown-and-white mare and watched through a small crack in the wood.

“Come in, Lily,” Daniel said. “Stay and talk to me while I take care of Midnight.”

“Don’t you have grooms to take care of him?”

“Yes, but I like to do it myself.”

“I understand. He’s a beautiful horse, Daniel.”

Daniel? She called him Daniel? The little harlot.

“Thank you so much for today,” Lily continued. “I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed riding more.”

“Neither have I.”

“May I help you with him?”

“Certainly.” He handed her a brush. “Take this and smooth out his mane, while I take care of his feet.”

“I absolutely love animals.” Lily ran the brush through Midnight’s mane. “Dogs are my favorite, but horses are a close second. They’re such beautiful and noble creatures. I wish I were a better rider.”

“You just need to get more comfortable.” Then he laughed. “You want to know what I think?”

“What?”

“I think you spend the majority of your time painting and writing, and you’ve never given yourself the chance to learn to ride properly.”

“Rose has tried to teach me, but I’m hopeless.”

“Nonsense. You responded well today.”

“That’s only because you were controlling Midnight. If I had been riding alone, you would have seen that—” She paused. “You’re not buying any of this are you?”

“Not a word,” he chuckled, shaking his head. “You have excellent instinct, as I saw today, plus it’s obvious that you enjoy horses. I could teach you, and you’d be riding like Rose in no time.”

“Would you really teach me?”

He finished with Midnight’s hind feet and strode toward her, taking the brush from her hand. “Love, I would do anything for you. Don’t you know that by now?” He grabbed a different brush and gave it to her. “Now we’ll do his coat. You do this side, and I’ll do the other. Here, I’ll show you.”

Amelia fumed, hidden. He had called her love. That ridiculous little twit, who “couldn’t care less” about being a duchess. Lily had no doubt set the course in motion long before she arrived at Laurel Ridge. I’ll ruin her, Amelia thought. But that wasn’t possible. All they had done was go riding together, with chaperones. Damn. She could make something up, though, something deliciously scandalous. Of course, if she did that, the little fool’s father, the earl, would no doubt force Daniel to marry her, and Amelia would have no chance at Daniel’s title. Besides, why resort to lying when she could do something much more fun? The little bitch had a very handsome and very available brother. Amelia had already threatened to seduce Lily’s brother, so why not go through with it?

Amelia smiled to herself, but her contentment was short lived, as the brown-and-white mare dropped a large clump of manure on her shoe.

---

Lily and Rose barely awoke in time to dress for dinner. They were among the last to enter the dining room and be seated. Lord Evan rose and offered each of them an arm, guiding Lily to her seat.

Daniel took her arm. “Thank you for delivering her, Xavier,” he said. “I’m sorry, Lily. I didn’t see you come in.”

“That’s perfectly all right.” She glanced around the room. No!

Lady Amelia Gregory had somehow snagged the seat next to Thomas, which was supposed to be occupied by Emma. Lily turned to the outside table. Poor Emma was nestled between Wentworth and his uncle.

“Lily,” Daniel said, “I want to thank you for—”

“What on earth is going on?” she interrupted in an urgent whisper.

“Nothing. What are you talking about?”

“Somehow that dreadful harpy Amelia Gregory is sitting next to my brother. And poor Emma is caught between Wentworth and his lecherous salivating uncle. Why did you change the seating?”

“I didn’t. I told Aunt Lucy to keep it the same as last night.”

“You have to do something, Daniel. I won’t let that bitch get her claws into my brother.”

“Lily,” he said calmly. “There isn’t anything I can do right now. Knowing Am…er…Lady Gregory, she will make a horrendous scene if I try to change her seat in front of all the guests. It will completely disrupt the meal. But I’ll take care of it tomorrow. It won’t happen again, I promise you.”

“You said you’d do anything for me! Look at Emma! She can’t even move her arms because Ludley is so…rotund. He’ll probably drool all over her crumpets, and then try to squeeze her thigh under the table. And Amelia will…oh, I can’t bear having her for a sister-in-law!”

“Lily,” Daniel whispered, “you need to lower your voice. It’s just dinner. Your brother has more sense than to make Lady Gregory your sister-in-law.”

“You didn’t have enough sense to stay away from her. What makes you think Thomas will? He’s a man after all, who does the majority of his thinking with his—”

“What do you mean I didn’t have enough sense to stay away from her?”

She didn’t want to tell him about her conversation with Amelia, so she resorted to rumor. “Good Lord, Daniel, everyone knows.” She looked quickly over her shoulder. “Emma is already dodging Ludley. My God, he’ll use every tactic to try to grab her breast. He’s been doing it to me for years.”

“Lily, Lady Gregory never meant anything— He’s been doing what?”

“What? Oh, Ludley. Yes, I’ve been diverting his roaming hands forever. I wasn’t so successful the first time. I was not but fourteen, and—”

“Fourteen?” Daniel’s voice lowered, his teeth clenched. “That sick bastard. I’ll pummel him. By God, I’m going to boot him off this estate.”

“Oh, for goodness’ sake, don’t bother.” Ludley and his meandering hands were the least of Lily’s concerns at the moment. “Just take care of this seating problem. Please.”

“Lily, I can’t. My mother would never forgive me. She would be incredibly embarrassed to have her dinner interrupted with such a trivial—”

“It is not trivial!”

“Not to you, love, but to her. I’m so sorry. I’ll make this up to you.”

“Daniel, this is the absolutely worst thing in the world!” Lily whispered urgently.

Daniel caressed her thigh under the table. “Please calm down. I’m sorry this has you so upset. But don’t you think you’re being a bit melodramatic? Your brother and Emma are fond of each other. That won’t change because of an unfortunate seating choice. Why don’t you talk to Emma after dinner. If she says Ludley acted inappropriately in any way, you have my word he will be sent packing.”

“Melodramatic? How could you…” Daniel’s caress under the table did feel good. Lily started to relax. “Yes, I will talk to Emma, and I don’t expect we’ll be seeing Ludley on the morrow. As for Amelia Gregory, if she so much as touches my brother—”

“Jameson can take care of himself, Lily. He wouldn’t appreciate your interference anyway. I’m right, aren’t I?”

“I suppose so, but I don’t care. I’ll burn in hell before that little doxy gets hold of him.” She took a few deep breaths, the tension in her leg subsiding a bit. A little bit.

“Are you all right now?” Daniel asked.

“Yes, I’ll be fine. Where’s my wine?”

“Allow me.” He filled her glass and handed it to her. “My, all that surliness, Lily. You’re so worked up. Your skin is rosy all over. It makes me want to…”

Lily tried to stay angry, but she couldn’t help smiling. “Later,” she said. “And you’re going to pay for this incident.” She took a sip of wine.

He beamed. “I can’t wait.”

---

Thomas was disappointed not to be seated next to Emma. He had grown quite fond of the lithe blonde and was beginning to believe Lily was right about finding a woman of intelligence. As the daughter of a banker, Emma was well versed in the world of finance and had listened to his tales of estate matters with interest, even offering her opinion from time to time.

The current seating was even more bizarre due to the fact that everyone else at the table, in fact at all the tables, seemed to be in the exact same position as the previous evening, except for Emma and his current dinner companion, Lady Amelia Gregory. Thomas knew little about Lady Gregory, except that she was the former Amelia Scott, a commoner, and the second wife of Frederic, Earl Gregory, twenty-five years her senior, who had passed away within the first year of their marriage. There were ruminations about the earl’s untimely death, but nothing had been proven.

Lady Gregory had been linked to many men of import by way of illicit affairs since then, including Lord Daniel Farnsworth himself, before he became the Duke of Lybrook. Lady Gregory seemed pleasant enough and was very pretty. Thomas was chivalrous to a fault, so he filled her wine glass and saw to her other needs, despite the fact that he wished she were Emma.

“My lord,” Lady Gregory said, “I must thank you for your attentiveness. I can’t recall when I have been looked after so conscientiously.”

“It’s my pleasure, my lady.”

“I had the delight of meeting your sister, Lady Lily, at the opening ball. And of course I’m acquainted with your parents. Frederic always said that Ashford had a unique head for estate matters. It’s no secret that his is one of the most influential earldoms in England. I would love to know more about your family. Your dear mother, for instance. Where is she from?”

“My mother comes from London. She’s the daughter of the Baron White.”

“Really? How fascinating. How did she meet your father?”

“I’m not exactly sure, my lady. I’ve never asked.”

“I bet it’s a romantic story, my lord.”

“Perhaps it is. My parents have always had an abundance of affection for each other.”

“How nice. A love match, was it?”

“Whether it was at first, I don’t know. It certainly is now.” Thomas was beginning to find this conversation tedious, so he took a sip of wine, and then turned to Rose and Xavier.

“Oh, my goodness,” Lady Gregory exclaimed. “My lovely new dinner gown, ruined!”

Thomas turned back to see that Lady Gregory had spilled her glass of red wine down the front of her dress.

“May I be of service, my lady?” the gentleman on her other side asked.

“Oh, no, I couldn’t impose.” Lady Gregory turned to Thomas. “My lord, I do hate to burden you, but it seems that I must excuse myself. Could I trouble you to escort me to my chamber?”

Thomas sighed. What could he do? “Of course, my lady.” He rose, offered her his arm, and together they strode from the ornate dining room. Rose was engrossed in her conversation with Xavier, but both Lily and Emma saw him leave with Lady Gregory. Neither looked pleased.

---

Later that evening Lily sat on the terrace with Rose, Alexandra, and Sophie.

“Have any of you seen Emma?”

“She took a walk with Thomas,” Rose said. “Her mother went with them to chaperone.”

“I need to talk to her when they return,” Lily said.

“What about?” Sophie asked.

“I want to find out if that disgusting Lord Ludley tried anything uncouth during dinner. The poor thing was stuck between him and Wentworth this evening.”

“Horrors!” Alexandra cried. “At least Wentworth couldn’t stick his tongue into her mouth at the dinner table. He might have been able to reach her ear without anyone noticing, though.”

“Goodness, Ally,” Sophie said. “Where do you come up with such outlandish ideas?”

“It’s not so outlandish. In a novel I read, the hero—”

Sophie clasped her hands over her ears. “I don’t want to hear it! The thought of a tongue in my ear—how ghastly.”

Lily smiled. Ghastly wasn’t the term she would have chosen for that particular pleasure. “Wentworth and his tongue are the least of Emma’s problems. His uncle is a complete lech. Rose and I have been dodging him for years.”

“She’s right, I’m afraid,” Rose said. “He seems to know every trick in the book for stealing, shall we say, an impression of a woman’s charms.”

Sophie’s hand flew to her mouth. “How horrid!”

“Yes, it is,” Lily said. “I must talk to Emma. If he tried anything inappropriate, the duke will ask him to leave the estate. He told me so.”

“You’ve gotten pretty chummy with His Grace, Lily.” Alexandra smiled. “If there’s anything going on…”

“There’s nothing going on. I’ve been seated next to him at dinner twice, and we’ve gotten to know each other a bit. He’s very charming.”

“Charming and dashing,” Alexandra said. “Too bad he’s a renowned skirt chaser. But he’s so handsome. And rich. I think that could be overlooked. Lily dear, how was your tour of the art collection last evening? You never returned.”

“Didn’t Rose tell you? I was feeling poorly.”

“Yes, of course, Rose told us. She checked on you several times also.” Alexandra winked. “That was quite the little coup you two devised.”

“What on earth are you talking about, Ally?” Rose feigned innocence.

“Come now. You don’t think we really believe that Lily was in her room resting after viewing the duke’s art.”

“Believe what you want,” Lily said. “But that’s exactly what—” She spied Emma and her mother returning to the terrace. “Emma!” She motioned. “Do come join us, please.”

Emma approached them and sat down. “How are all of you this evening?”

“We’re just fine, dear,” Lily said. “How was your walk with Thomas?”

“Just lovely. He’s heading back to the bachelor house now. There’s a poker game tonight or something.”

“Gambling? My goodness,” Sophie said.

“It’s probably just a friendly game, Sophie,” Rose said. “Thomas enjoys gaming. Papa does too, actually.”

“Emma,” Lily said, “I’m so sorry about your unfortunate dinner companions this evening. If I had known you would be seated with Lord Ludley, I’d have warned you.”

“Warned me about what?”

“About him. Tell me, did he try anything inappropriate?”

“He did seem to brush my thigh more than necessary, but I assumed it was because of his size. He is rather large.”

“Large doesn’t begin to describe him,” Lily said. “And his thigh caressing was not an accident, I assure you.”

“He also seemed to salivate a lot.”

Lily laughed. “Yes, he’s disgusting. Tell me, did he do anything that made you uncomfortable?”

“She’ll have the duke kick him off the estate for you, you know,” Alexandra said.

“No, no.” Emma said. “I’m absolutely fine. There’s no need… How can you get the duke the kick him off the estate, Lily?”

“Haven’t you heard?” Alexandra held two fingers up side by side. “Lily and His Grace are like this.”

“Ally, you’re making that up,” Lily said.

“I don’t think so,” she began, then, “My goodness, what time is it, anyway?”

“It was nearly ten when Lord Jameson and I parted,” Emma said. “Why do you ask?”

“I have an engagement,” Alexandra said, and then lowered her voice. “Mr. Landon and I are meeting on the back terrace.”

“Ally!” Sophie exclaimed. “Without a chaperone?”

“Of course without a chaperone,” Alexandra said. “What fun would it be otherwise?”

“I suppose I can’t talk you out of this, can I?” Sophie shook her head. “Please use good sense though. Don’t let him take any liberties.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t dream of it,” Alexandra said, winking. “I plan to take the liberties myself. I’ll see you all later. Will you be here for a while?”

“I’ll only be here for a bit,” Rose said. “I’m playing the grand piano in the conservatory for Lord Evan at eleven, and Lily is my chaperone. In fact, Lily, we should go. I’d like to warm up a bit. I haven’t actually played the grand yet, and I need to get the feel of it. Would you two care to come along?” She nodded to Sophie and Emma.

“Thank you just the same,” Sophie said. “I think I’ll stay out here. It’s such a nice evening.”

“I’ll stay and chat with Sophie,” Emma said. “But do have a lovely time.”

“We will, dear,” Lily said, linking arms with Rose and Alexandra. “Tomorrow evening there will be another formal ball. Won’t that be fun?”

“Oh yes,” Alexandra said. “I had a wonderful time at the first one. Except for Wentworth and his errant tongue, that is.”

“Alexandra…” Sophie began.

“Sophie, darling, if you had been in my shoes, you would say the same thing. Do enjoy your evening, ladies.” She broke away from Lily and hurried off.

Lily and Rose said goodbye and entered the house, making their way past the library to the conservatory. The chandelier had already been lit, and cast a luminous glow on the black lacquer grand piano in the center of the room. One wall of the large room was devoted entirely to bookshelves which housed written music of all kinds. In a corner stood a gilt-edged harp, and in another corner, several guitars and mandolins. The walls were filled with more paintings, and Lily slowly walked through the room, looking at each one with interest. She made a mental note to have Daniel explain them to her later and took a seat on a lush sofa covered in forest green satiny fabric.

“Start with the Mozart sonata, dear. It’s my favorite,” she said.

Rose sat down on the cushioned piano bench and sighed, lovingly running her fingers over the sleek ivory keys. “This is the most glorious instrument I have ever seen.”

“It looks a lot like the one at our estate,” Lily said.

Rose rolled her eyes. “Lily, this is at least two feet longer than ours, and the finish is far better quality. As for the sound, let’s see.” She played a few measures. “Can’t you hear the difference?”

“Not really,” Lily said.

“You are a goose. The tone is far superior.” Rose began playing the Mozart. “It’s almost as if the piano crescendos on its own. It knows exactly what to do.”

“That’s you, not the piano.”

Rose blushed. “You put too much stock in my talent, Lily. I hope I don’t embarrass myself.”

“You play beautifully and you know it. When Daniel and Lord Evan get here, you should start with the Mozart. Then play your Bach. Then Handel’s Water Music; that’s lovely. And don’t forget that cute little sonata by Scarlatti. I suppose you should play an English composer as well. How about Purcell? The music from the Fairy Queen is sweet.”

“Goodness, Lily, this is just an informal little gathering. I’m not playing a full concert.”

Lily ignored her. “Do you need me to go upstairs to the chamber and fetch your sheet music?”

“No, I can do it from memory. If only the Beethoven were ready.”

“Try it now. I’ll tell you if it’s ready or not.”

“I suppose I could, since the gentlemen aren’t here yet.” Rose began to play, her fingers dancing over the keys as the music soared from the piano.

“That’s the Beethoven that isn’t ready yet,” Lily said to Daniel and Evan, who had entered while Rose was playing. “I thought it was tantalizing, Rose.”

“Don’t be absurd, Lily,” Rose said, flushing. “I didn’t even get through half of the concerto.”

“You play beautifully,” Evan said. “Which concerto is it?”

“Beethoven’s Fifth Piano Concerto in E Flat Minor,” Rose said. “He completed it in 1811. I’ve only been working on it a short time. I didn’t mean for anyone but Lily to hear it.”

“Nonsense, it was lovely,” Evan said.

“Play the Mozart now, Rose.” Lily turned to Daniel and Evan. “Mozart is my very favorite composer, ever since Papa took Rose and me to the opera to see The Marriage of Figaro. How old were we, Rose, about ten and eleven?”

“I was but nine, so you would have been ten,” Rose said. “It was a wonderful performance.” She laughed. “Thomas was seventeen. He escorted me and Papa escorted Lily. We had such fun playing grownup.” Rose’s face glowed. “All right, Lily, I’ll play the Mozart for you.” Her hands began dancing over the keys again, lightly bringing forth the delicate sonata.

Evan eventually went to sit beside her on the piano bench, watching her attentively. Daniel took Lily’s hand in his and kiss her upturned palm. Lily smiled at him, enjoying the music and his attentions. Rose played for over an hour, ending with Scarlatti’s sonata.

“You do play beautifully, my lady,” Daniel said. “I don’t know when I’ve enjoyed a concert more.”

“You flatter me, Your Grace,” Rose said. “But thank you for the compliment, and thank you also for allowing me to use the conservatory. It was a pleasure to play such a magnificent instrument.”

“It’s been a long time since anyone has played it so compellingly. Please feel free to use the conservatory anytime you wish during your stay at Laurel Ridge.”

“Thank you, Your Grace.”

“I must agree with His Grace, Rose,” Evan said. “Your playing is compelling—more than just talent and technique. There is an emotional component to your music that is nearly indescribable. I’m not sure the composers themselves could have played their own pieces any better, or with more feeling.”

“My lord, I do believe that is the nicest compliment I have ever received,” Rose said, lowering her head. “I do thank you.”

“It’s quite late. May I see you to your chamber?” he asked her, standing and helping her to her feet.

“Yes, that would be fine. Lily can accompany us.”

“Actually,” Lily said. “I would like for Daniel to explain some of these lovely paintings to me. Would you care to wait a bit?”

“I’m frightfully tired,” Rose said. “I-I suppose it’s all right for us to go alone. It’s just a walk to our chamber, after all. Shall we, my lord?” Rose took Evan’s arm and he led her out of the conservatory.

“Alone at last,” Daniel said to Lily, kissing her lightly on the lips. “Your sister is a splendid talent.”

“I told you so,” Lily said. “She has always considered herself a merely adequate musician. She’s so blasted modest, it’s annoying. But I think she’s incredible.”

“I agree, but you’re even more incredible, in my humble opinion.” He gathered her in his arms and kissed her, opening her lips with his tongue.

“Daniel, the paintings…”

“Can we talk about them tomorrow?” he asked softly, teasing her neck with warm, moist kisses.

“I suppose so. But Daniel, I can’t go to your chamber again… I can’t… Oh, bother.”

Daniel led her out of the conservatory, down the hall and up the servants’ staircase to his chamber.

---

Amelia stood in the dark outside the bachelor house. Jameson had come back from taking a walk with the skinny blond wench and then had gone inside and hadn’t come out again. It was still early. What on earth was going on in there? Was she losing her touch? Jameson hadn’t responded to any of her subtle advances when he escorted her to her chamber during dinner. She had ruined a perfectly good gown for nothing. She had never failed to attract any man of her choosing in the past, but just days ago the duke had rebuffed her. She would simply have to be more persuasive with Lord Jameson.

She may have lost the first battle, but she had every intention of winning the war.