Chapter 3

" I had such a wonderful time at dinner last night, Cecilia." Nancy's eyes were bright as they walked along the park path, with their mothers Lady Lindbury and Lady Sheridan trailing behind as chaperones. "I must thank you and your mother again for having us over. Such stimulating conversation, would not you agree?"

"Mmhm," Cecilia replied, trailing off into her thoughts as Nancy continued to speak. Even just thinking about the events of last night needled Cecilia to no end. How easily she had let the duke get the better of her!

That rude, arrogant, self-important scoundrel, she thought furiously.

Worst of all was how difficult he was to shake from her mind. Impossible, even. Even now, walking arm-in-arm with her best friend through Hyde Park, her attempts to enjoy the clement weather and verdant lawns kept being interrupted by thoughts of those low-pitched taunts, those sharp blue eyes…

"—do you not think, Celie?"

"Hm?" Cecilia snapped back to attention.

Nancy looked up at her with bright blue eyes, and even brighter flushed cheeks. "Are you quite all right, Cecilia? You seem to have been quite out of sorts since last night."

"It is nothing." Cecilia shook her head. "Forgive my rudeness. I did not sleep as well as I had hoped." That, at least, was true. She had lain her head down on her pillow, still fairly fuming with frustration at the duke's persistence in annoying her, only to find him raking her dreams, as well—disturbing her sleep with sly smirks, smart retorts, and those dark blue eyes. It was almost too much to bear.

She forced herself to push him from her head and smiled down at her friend. "What is it you were asking me?"

"Well…" Nancy paused and bit her lower lip. Suddenly she faced forward, as though she could not bear to look at her friend when she said what she said next. "I only said that—travel seems to agree with Zachary, does it not?"

"Does it?" Cecilia asked, trying not to be too obvious. She pursed her lips, nodding as they continued to walk. "I suppose it does. I have heard that food overseas can be good for one's health, and that the rigors of travel are meant to have a beneficial effect on both body and spirit."

"Yes. Yes, of course," Nancy agreed. Her voice softened. "And when he speaks—it is with a great passion and reverence for the places he has seen. It is clear he took every opportunity to learn, while still holding England nearest and dearest to his heart. He was a great conversationalist last night, and fetching, too—not that—I…" Nancy trailed off.

Cecilia gave her a moment, before prodding gently, "What is it you are trying to say, Nancy?"

"Only that—" Nancy squeezed her eyes shut. "I am rather fond of him," she said quickly, then peered up at Cecilia out of one eye. "Oh, you mustn't be cross with me, Celie!"

"Cross? Why would I be cross? You are my best friend, and he is my brother; you are two of the people most dear in the world to me. I should be cross if he had done something to sour you against him; if you are fond of him, that simply means he was polite to you as he ought to have been."

"More than polite. I mean, not more than—he has behaved most properly around me." Nancy stumbled over her words, her cheeks practically crimson. She glanced back over her shoulder and seemed relieved to find their mothers engaged in their own conversation, rather than listening in. "What I mean to say is, speaking with him was so enjoyable, and—well. I know it has been only a short while since we have known each other, and yet I find my heart inspired with feelings." She looked up sideways at Cecilia, as though trying to read her reaction. "Feelings for him."

"You have…feelings…for my brother?" Cecilia tried to feign surprise, while simultaneously hiding a slight grimace.

For all that Nancy and Zachary would be an excellent match, and for all her delight that her plan was moving so swiftly and easily, it was still strange to hear anyone speak of him romantically. He was still her brother, after all.

Nancy's eyes widened, and she clutched onto Cecilia's arm more tightly still. "Are you dreadfully upset?"

Cecilia shook her head and smiled. "Not in the slightest." She leaned in, squeezing her friend's arm playfully. "If anything, I am relieved to hear that his feelings are matched by yours."

"His—" Nancy's eyes widened somehow further, a smile rising to her lips. "Oh! Surely you do not mean…" The smile fell slightly.

Cecilia's brow furrowed. "What is the matter?"

"Only that I find it difficult to believe that he would have feelings for someone like me."

Cecilia chuckled. "Why shouldn't he have feelings for someone like you, Nancy? You are absolutely wonderful."

"Yes, it is only—well. It is only that I have heard talk that he may be something of a…" She glanced back at their mothers walking behind them and then lowered her voice. "A rake." All of a sudden, she clapped a hand over her mouth, as though only just realizing what it was she had said. "Oh, dear! Forgive me, Celie. I know he is your brother. Surely you do not wish to hear?—"

"I assure you, Nancy, I do not?—"

Nancy continued babbling, in a panic, "—and of course, I am certain the rumors are greatly exaggerated?—"

Cecilia stopped walking, and turned to face her friend, squeezing her hand reassuringly. "It is quite all right, Nancy," she said, kindly. Then, more firmly, "As you say, I am certain the rumors, whatever they may be, are greatly exaggerated. In any case, any such rumors belong to Zachary's past."

"Yes. Yes, of course," Nancy assured her.

Cecilia raised her chin. "Truth be told, I am certain they are less a reflection of his true character and more the result of his association with that awful friend of his."

"Awful friend?" Nancy's eyes went wide as she looked back up at her friend. "Oh, surely you do not mean the duke?"

"Surely I do," Cecilia replied. "To whom else could I possibly be referring?" She thought of Ian's infuriating smirk, and his lowered tone last night, heat rushing through her at the mere memory.

"But he was so kind!" Nancy protested.

"Everyone is kind to you, Miss Banfield," Cecilia said teasingly. "In addition to which, I am certain he was further inclined to be kind by your stature as a young, beautiful, accomplished, unmarried lady."

"Me?" Nancy chuckled through her blush. "Oh, Celie. I assure you, he most certainly was not looking at me in that way."

Cecilia scoffed and rolled her eyes. "I would not be so certain if I were you."

"Well, I am," Nancy said firmly, though even Nancy speaking firmly was a dozen times sweeter than anyone else Cecilia knew. "Particularly given the way he could not seem to take his eyes off of?—"

Suddenly, Lady Sheridan was upon them, having bustled up closer with Lady Lindbury in tow. "Did I overhear you speaking of the Earl?"

A hush fell over the two younger women. They looked at each other than their mothers.

"Yes, Mama," Nancy admitted at last, even more bashful than she had been in confessing her feelings to Cecilia a few moments prior. Her voice was softer now, and her cheeks burned beet red. "It is only normal that we would. He is Cecilia's brother, after all, and he just returned from travels much the same as ours, and it was so lovely to speak to him last night and compare our stories of travel." She turned to address Cecilia's mother, as though eager to change the topic of conversation. "Speaking of which! I must thank you again for having us to dinner, Lady Lindbury."

Lady Lindbury nodded and opened her mouth. But Nancy's mother could not and would not be dissuaded. Before Lady Lindbury could say anything, Lady Sheridan pressed onward, "Yes, yes, of course! I observed that the two of you had a great deal to talk about last night, it seemed. One could even say the Earl seemed quite taken with you."

"Mama!" Nancy sounded scandalized.

"It is true!"

"Mama, it is not—it is not proper…" Nancy's eyes darted back and forth between her mother and Cecilia's, and about the park at large, as though fearful that someone else out on a promenade nearby might overhear. "Lady Lindbury, I must apologize…"

Cecilia's mother took a step forward, with a kind expression on her face, and pressed a gentle hand to Nancy's cheek. "Do not worry, Miss Banfield. You are so close to my Cecilia that you are nearly like a daughter to me already. While I have no intention of meddling in Zachary's marriage prospects, I cannot say it would displease me to have your status as daughter further confirmed."

"It is settled, then." Lady Sheridan clapped her hands together. "We shall host a ball. The finest of the season. Dazzling, but still intimate. French fashions, in honor of your trip. And if the earl doesn't fill up your dance card before the night's properly begun, I will eat my hat. And, of course, you will have the opportunity to dance with other gentlemen, as well. It may do something to spur the earl on, if a spark of jealousy were to align in his heart."

"Mama, we cannot just host balls on a whim anymore," Nancy reminded her, sounding a bit embarrassed. "The new viscount, remember?" He controls the accounts, and the estates."

"Oh, leave the viscount to me. I am more than certain he will say yes to let us throw a ball. Particularly when I mention it is to aid in your prospects of marriage."

"Well. I suppose if the new viscount approves, I can hardly protest," Nancy said, that small smile returning to her cheeks.

Cecilia grinned back at her best friend, her external excitement barely holding a candle to the thrill that lit her insides. All was going perfectly according to her plan.

She couldn't wait to see the look on the Duke of Harwick's face.