A cheerful voice broke into his thoughts. “Knew it had to be you out here, Peter, my lad!” One of his friends, Lord Simon Putney, walked through the door and took out a small cigar. “Saw your betrothed leaving the balcony. Never thought you’d do so well for yourself. She’s a beauty. Her breasts!” Simon kissed his fingers. “I always thought you’d marry one of those icy types, if you married at all,” he continued genially. “But you’ve caught the best one of the Season!”

Simon lowered his voice and gave Peter a manly sort of look. “You know what I mean. She looks as if she’ll liven up your bedchamber, old fellow.”

Peter did. In fact, he was so gloomily aware of the truth of his friend’s assessment that he stayed out on the balcony for a half hour, smoking one of Simon’s cigars. Normally he would never do such a thing, given that the pungent odor of tobacco was so difficult to remove from clothing. But it was comforting, under the circumstances.

The only problem was that Simon proved to be intoxicated, and he waxed more and more enthusiastic about Gabby’s prime feature—her breasts. Peter restrained himself from saying irritably that if he wanted to buy a cow he would have gone to the country. The pure unkindness of the remark was not fair. Gabby’s chest was not her fault.

Gabby, meanwhile, was sitting in the ladies’ chamber having her hair pinned up yet again when Sophie Foakes, the Duchess of Gisle, entered the room.

“Miss Jerningham!” Sophie exclaimed with delight.

“Do forgive me for not rising, Your Grace,” Gabby said with a smile. The maid still had some twenty hairpins to apply, and if Gabby moved, the whole process would have to begin again.

“Oh, surely we needn’t be so formal,” Sophie exclaimed as she plumped herself into a chair next to Gabby. “Now, are you enjoying London, Miss Jerningham?”

“Please, will you call me Gabby?” The question was impetuous, but the duchess seemed very friendly.

“I would adore to,” Sophie replied promptly, “as long as you call me Sophie. We shall scandalize the old biddies.”

“Why would it be scandalous?” Gabby felt a bit wary about causing scandal, given Peter’s admonishments.

“Oh, it isn’t really, Gabby. It’s just that women of my mother’s generation who have known each other since the cradle are still greeting each other as Lady Such and So. Now, why haven’t I seen you in Hyde Park or at my reception? I sent you a card.”

Gabby looked about. They were the only ladies in the chamber at the moment. “I had to wait until Madame Carême’s clothing was delivered,” she confided. “Peter was most adamant about my remaining in the house until I was properly attired.”