Chapter One

"Another ball, another dance, another lady." James chuckled and leaned back against the wall of the ballroom, lifting one eyebrow towards his friend.

"Indeed, indeed," Lord Radford grinned, folding his arms across his chest. "Now, which one are you to dance with next? It is the waltz, is it not?"

James nodded. "I have the very obliging Lady Jemima on my arm."

"Oh." Lord Radford dragged the sound out, lightness in his voice as he chuckled. "I presume that you are hopeful that she will be kind to you? That she will be nothing but smiles and laughing eyes? Or do you hope for something even a little more?"

James could not help but laugh, knowing all too well what his friend meant. "Perhaps a little something more at the end of the evening? I have been told that Lady Jemima is well used to being a little.. warmer than other young ladies seeking a husband."

"Though mayhap she hopes that, in being so, you will find her all the more pleasing," his friend suggested. "Mayhap she hopes you will offer her your hand in marriage."

James snorted and rolled his eyes. "Then she will be sorely mistaken," he said, firmly. "She will realise that soon enough, I am sure."

Lord Radford lifted one eyebrow. "Though not before you have made certain you can garner as much affection from her as you can, yes?"

James shrugged. "Of course! Why should I not?

His friend laughed again and James continued to grin, thinking about what it would be like should Lady Jemima permit him to take her into his arms. He was well known to be a rogue but he did not care. He had been building this reputation for the last few years and was more than determined to continue. There was nothing that he would do to satisfy society's considerations of him. Their thoughts and their opinions of his behaviour meant nothing. He was a Marquess and, regardless of how much of a rogue he became, he knew all too well that there would be many a young lady eager to take her place as his wife – and, for that matter, a good many mothers who would be more than thrilled to have their daughter as his wife. Regardless of what he did, society would always see his title rather than his character and thus, James felt himself quite satisfied.

"Ah, now, look at this!"

James turned his head to see a short, broad chested gentleman hovering near the shadows of the room. "Are you speaking of him?" he asked, pointing at the fellow directly, heedless as to whether the man in question would turn to look at him. "That slightly smaller fellow?"

"Hush!" his friend exclaimed, though he was still grinning. "Yes, that is who I am speaking of. Do you not recognise him?"

James tilted his head, scrutinising the man, only to shake his head. "No I do not."

Lord Radford looked a little surprised. "Indeed? I thought everyone would recognise Lord Hampshire, though I admit that it has been a few years since he last came to society."

"Lord Hampshire?" Recognising the name, James considered carefully. "Is that not the gentleman who lost a good deal of wealth?"

Lord Radford nodded. "Yes, the very same. He enjoyed gambling a little too much and, for whatever reason, found out that he could not pay all the debts he had accumulated. They were significant, I must say, but something must have happened to make the lack of coin a real problem for him."

"The fool." James snorted at the gentleman before them, though the man himself did not turn around. "What a fool he was to think that he could take on debts and not repay them."

"I do not think that is exactly what happened," Lord Radford suggested, but James did not care. Instead he shrugged, yawned and turned away.

"I do wonder what he is doing back in London," his friend continued, as James let his gaze rove around the room, taking in the many pretty faces of the young ladies he could see. "It is not as though society will have forgiven him as yet."

"Not unless he has repaid his debts."

Lord Radford nodded slowly, a small flicker of light coming into his eyes. "That might very well be the case," he said, making James look at him quickly. "Mayhap he has returned to London because he has been able to make reparation for his debts. Now, he hopes, the ton will be willing to welcome him back into their society."

"But why should he wish for such a thing?" James asked, a little frustrated with himself that he was being drawn into a conversation about this gentleman when he had already attempted to dismiss him. "Why return to society at all? I presume he has stayed away from London these last few years and must surely be contented now with the company near to his estate. Coming to London only draws him back into the tumult which he left behind him some years ago."

"I do not know for certain, I confess, but from what I recall, I think the Earl has another daughter who is yet unwed," Lord Radford answered, speaking a good deal more slowly now as he thought aloud. "I cannot quite remember how many children that gentleman has but I believe that there could still be an unwed daughter." His shoulders lifted and fell. "Though I cannot say such a thing for certain."

James laughed harshly. "I do hope that such a young lady is not eagerly hoping for a good match," he said, as his friend smiled ruefully. "No gentleman in good standing and with a good fortune will want anything to do with a gentleman such as that! The Earl might have been able to pay his debts – if that is what he has done – but that does not mean that his fortunes are restored. What if he does not have a good dowry for her? What if she does not take anything with her into the marriage? What good is it, then, for any gentleman to even consider her?"

"Perhaps there will be an arrangement," Lord Radford suggested, his eyes twinkling. "Mayhap you would like to offer yourself as her husband?"

Before he could stop himself, James roared so loudly with laughter that the gentleman they had been speaking of turned to look at him. This brought James' loud outburst to a very quick end and he cleared his throat and looked away, though the smile he tried to hide simply would not fade.

"No?" His friend grinned, his eyes twinkling. "Your mother has already removed to the Dower house, so what could be preventing you? You could be just the gentleman she requires."

"I hardly think so," James managed to say, still feeling Lord Hampshire's questioning eyes upon him as well as the slight sting that came with the reminder that his own mother had already vacated his estate, choosing to live alone rather than with him. Thankfully, after a moment, the gentleman looked away and James permitted himself to relax a little more. "What about you, Lord Radford? Should you not like to have a beautiful young lady as your wife?"

"Oh, I do indeed, very much so!" came the reply, making James' eyebrows shoot towards his hairline. "Though I do not think that such a thing is required from me any time soon! I have a brother with a family who could very easily take my place should the worst happen, which means I have no requirement to marry soon. Though, when the time comes, I will have the most beautiful young lady in all of England as my bride, I am sure."

"But until then?" James asked.

Lord Radford grinned and spread out both hands. "Until then, I have every intention of doing the same as you and doing all that I can to enjoy every single moment of my bachelorhood."