“I think he was absolutely charming.” Lizzie smiled distractedly as Isobel went on and on about Sir Charles.

The duchess smiled. “What about Lord Deering, dear? I believe you were infatuated with him just last week.”

“Oh, Mama, do keep up. Lord Deering is too old.” She bounced in her seat excitedly. “Sir Charles has an estate in Hampshire, and he said that if we ever go that way, we should write to him.”

“Calm down, love. He seems to be a fine young man and he is a relation of the Marquess of York. I do approve, but do not be so hasty. I would hate to see your reputation in jeopardy.”

Lizzie’s feelings were hurt as her mother muttered the words about a reputation in jeopardy. The duchess quickly looked over at Lizzie, realizing her mistake. Lizzie smiled at her mother to let her know that she was all right. The duchess relaxed.

Lizzie quickly moved the conversation forward. “Let her enjoy herself, Mama. Sir Charles was absolutely besotted by her. I am sure he will call upon Isobel this afternoon. Everyone observed his interest in her.”

Isobel paled. “Lizzie, you’re right. I must wear my new lilac dress that brings out the color of my eyes. Madam Sallo is supposed to deliver it today. Lizzie, you must accompany me to Madam Sallo’s shop. Now!”

Lizzie looked up startled. “Now? You want to go to her shop? Nonsense. She will deliver it as she said she would. Don’t be ridiculous.”

“No! We must go now. What if she doesn’t deliver it before Sir Charles arrives. Lizzie, you must join me,” screeched Isobel.

Even Lizzie couldn’t resist the desperate pleading from her sister. The duchess tried to persuade them to have a maid fetch the dress, but Isobel wouldn’t listen. The lilac dress had become the most important thing in the world.

“Really Isobel, you need to carry yourself with a little more grace. What would Sir Charles say if he saw you now?” questioned Lizzie.

“That I’m the most beautiful girl in this carriage?” asked Isobel with a sarcastic tone of victory in her voice.

Isobel was awarded with a pinch.

The ride was short, and Lizzie demanded that she be allowed to stay in the carriage while Isobel collected her dress. Lizzie wanted to ensure that as few people as possible noticed that they were attending to their own errands. When Isobel took longer than anticipated, feeling cramped inside, Lizzie got out to stretch her legs.

Not a few moments had passed when she heard a familiar voice calling her name. Lizzie’s face turned bright red—partly from anger and partly out of embarrassment for being caught at the shop.

“Lady Elizabeth, what a surprise to see you here.” To her displeasure, Matthew Adams, the man from the ball approached her.

“Hello, Mr. Adams,” Lizzie said bitterly.

He grinned, “So cold.”

Lizzie smiled through her teeth, “You are mistaken. I am merely waiting for my sister to finish her business.”

He flashed an amused smile her way and stood next to her. “It is not often I come across such a lovely duchess hanging out in front of a shop.”

“My mother is a duchess, Mr. Adams, as I’m sure you’re perfectly aware, or you would have addressed me properly.”

Matthew raised a hand in greeting at a passerby and commented, “I do wonder what it is about me which makes you bristle like an angry little kitten.”

Lizzie wondered if hitting him with her fan would injure him. “Once again, you are mistaken, Mr. Adams. I have treated you with nothing but politeness.” She spoke the last word with such biting insult that Matthew laughed.

The road was busy with carriages and townspeople moving about their daily tasks. She wondered what was taking her sister so long. This situation would surely be the topic of gossip.

“My cousin seems to be quite infatuated with you, Lady Elizabeth.”

Lizzie looked him straight in the face. “He seemed very infatuated with my younger sister until the ball. How troublesome.”

“I can see you do not really care for him.”

She smiled. “I do not really know him.”

Matthew adjusted his waistcoat and leaned against the carriage, “Then it seems I shall pursue you.”

Lizzie froze. “That is very brave of you. I can assure you that you are wasting your time.”

“I am a brave man, Lady Elizabeth.” Matthew’s eyes twinkled.

Resisting the urge to physically step on his foot, Lizzie smiled, a very forced smile. “What brought this about, if I may ask?”

“I find you very intriguing.”

“Hardly a compliment.”

“There is nothing else in this town that interests me.”

Lizzie bared her teeth. “Then maybe you should return home.”

Matthew studied her in amusement. “You would like that, wouldn’t you?”

“You are imagining things,” Lizzie replied with a wry smirk.

“Since I am courting you, it seems I should no longer keep my identity a secret. I am Matthew Adams, the Earl of Malmesbury.”

Lizzie looked completely unperturbed. “Is that supposed to impress me, Lord Malmesbury?”

She looked so unruffled that Matthew had the urge to mess her up a little bit, to see her get angry or annoyed. However, he knew how to play his cards. “I suspect it should impress your mother.”

“Lizzie!”

Hearing her sister’s call, Lizzie smiled at Matthew. “If it were only that simple, Lord Malmesbury. I wish you good day.”

“I will call on you tomorrow, Lady Elizabeth. Please do let your mother know,” he said as Lizzie walked away.

She was a cool one. However, that just made Matthew more determined to tear through her barriers. As the carriage rolled away, he saw the sneaking glance Lady Elizabeth threw his way and tipped his hat in polite acknowledgment. He grinned as she quickly looked away. This was going to be quite a catch indeed.

Entering his cousin’s home, he let the butler take his coat and walked into the parlor. Lord Deering was lounging in his chair, already on his fourth glass of whiskey. Knowing how drunk he must be, Matthew ignored him and looked towards his sister. She was writing a letter and seemed intently serious. Curious, he moved forward only to have her scowl at him and cover the paper with her hand.

“Do not be rude, brother.”

“I simply wanted to see to whom you were writing.”

“Yes, and then you will want to investigate, and then you will involve yourself wholly in my affairs. Off with you.”

Making a sad face, he sat in the opposite chair and asked, “Is that any way to talk to your older brother?”

“Being born five seconds before me does not make you my older brother. It makes you lucky.” Katherine eyed him. “What is bothering you? You look like you’re on the hunt.”

“I met a girl.”

His sister gaped at him. “You met a girl?”

Matthew stretched his legs. “You do not need to sound so surprised.”

Katherine faced him. “Brother, you are a snob. Of course I am surprised.”

“Yes, well, I need an heir since you cannot inherit.”

Katherine turned back to her letter. “You are also a beast.”

“It was a joke, darling. Do not get so angry.” He tried to pacify his sister. “Don’t you want to hear all about her?”

“I do not care.”

“Is that so? Well then, you would not care to know that she is Lady Elizabeth, the eldest daughter of the Duke of Wellington.”

Her sister paused and then looked up. “Go on.”

“She has a very nasty temper and she likes to hide it. She is also very witty, which she hides under a mask of politeness and sarcasm. And once you attack those shields that she has surrounded herself with, she becomes a snarling little kitten.”

“Brother, I do think you very well on the way to falling in love with this girl!” Katherine exclaimed.

“I would not go that far. I find Elizabeth interesting and I have told her that I will court her. She seemed to dislike the idea, however.”

“Who wouldn’t? You did not even ask her. No woman wants to be told what to do.”

Matthew smiled sardonically at his sister. “My darling Katherine, if I were to ask her permission, she would trip me and walk all over me with those pretty little heels of hers. She does not need a man who will ask her permission. She needs one who can tame her.”

His sister patted her golden hair and looked thoughtful. “I do find it odd though. Most young women would welcome a courtship with a young, handsome earl; especially one with your fortune.” She added, “I would very much like to meet your Lady Elizabeth.”