Lucius melted into the throng of guests mingling in the side room devoted to gaming tables. Standing with George was another gentleman roughly the age of Lucius himself. He was not local, and although they had not met in London, it was fairly obvious from the faint sneer and the quality of his tailoring that he mixed with the best circles.

“This is Maria and Charles’s guest, Mr. Downing,” George said. “He is visiting from London for the holidays, and he has just arrived.”

Lucius greeted him with a nod. “How were the roads?” So this is the fellow Holbeck finds objectionable? I wonder why.

“They were passable everywhere but for that stretch of woods through Hatfield,” Downing said. “The Bear’s Tooth Inn in Welwyn said I should be able to get through, so we attempted it. Your sister promised a most delightful ball if I could arrange to be here on time, and I remembered that Gregson was from the area, who is a particular friend of mine. I wrote to let him know I would be here.”

Out of politeness, Lucius asked, “Has your acquaintance with the Holbecks been of long date?”

“A few years,” Downing replied, just as politely. “We have some political dealings together.” Both men turned to watch the entrance where newly arrived gentlemen poured into the card room.

“The card room is filling up as quickly as the ballroom.” Lucius gave a soft chuckle. Maria’s plans might be foiled by her own husband’s love of the dice if all the eligible bachelors were at the gambling tables. “I wonder if we’ll be able to encourage any of the men to leave it.”

“I promised Maria I would dance,” George said, raising his eyes to the heavens. “I must, I suppose, but I’d rather be in here.”

A feeling Lucius could sympathize with, although he found himself looking out into the ballroom frequently for a glimpse of Miss Lockhart. He generally only danced out of duty, but he wondered what it would be like to have her in his arms. Her waist was small, and his hand would settle nicely on it.

Downing swallowed the contents of his glass. “No dancing for me. I much prefer the cards. Less of a risk.” He gave a short laugh. “Once I nearly got entangled, and I’ve since steered clear. I have money and mistresses enough not to stumble into the parson’s mousetrap.”

George looked up from fingering his unbroken deck of cards and met Lucius’s gaze. His eyes were full of mockery, which heartened Lucius. If his brother found Downing’s affectations to be too much, there was hope for him yet.

George turned his attention back to Downing, his expression the picture of innocence. “Is that so, sir? Pray tell, what quantity of mistresses is sufficient? I’m curious.”

Lucius turned away before he might betray himself with a laugh. Leaving the card room, he wandered into the ballroom as guests began to pour into it. He was feeling a bit at odds—it wasn’t like him to be so restless. More than one young lady eyed him hopefully, and he knew if he did not find an occupation quickly, he would be expected to play court to several of them.