Furthermore, she expected Lord Gregory would be amenable to caring for Mrs. Tucket, but she’d have to ensure that was the case before she agreed to anything. In fact, she’d speak with him about it on Friday at the ball.

In the meantime, she meant to offer whatever support she could to her guardian, if he would take it.

“May I come in?”

Tobias looked up from the papers he was reading at his desk after dinner to see his ward framed in the threshold of his study door. Her simple green gown was a rich contrast for her vibrant red hair. Captivated by her beauty, he stood, as if he were pulled by an invisible rope. He moved around the desk but forced himself to stop.

“Please.” He went to the small settee near the hearth and hoped she would sit beside him, even if it did invite temptation.

She came forward, the hem of her pear-colored skirts skimming the carpet as she joined him.

“I hope I’m not intruding on your work,” she said, glancing toward his desk.

He angled himself toward her and rested his arm along the back of the settee, bending it at the elbow so his fingers didn’t reach her shoulder. “Not at all. I’m grateful for the respite, actually. Is there something you wish to discuss?”

Her gaze dropped to her lap where she fidgeted with her gown. Straightening her hands so her fingers flexed, she placed her palms on her lap and gave him a tremulous smile.

“You seem nervous,” he said. “Is aught amiss?”

“No, nothing’s wrong. I went to Gunter’s today with Cassandra. And Prudence, of course.” She hesitated before adding, “We encountered Lady Bentley.”

Tobias gritted his teeth to prevent himself from swearing out loud. “I see,” he said slowly. “How was this…encounter?”

“She came to our table, and Cassandra introduced us. She, ah, mentioned something about you trying to kidnap her…” She looked away again, and Tobias couldn’t quite tell what she was asking.

“Did you believe her?”

Fiona’s gaze snapped to his, her pupils dilating in what he thought was outrage. “Certainly not! It was the most preposterous thing I’ve ever heard. In fact, I’m not even sure I believe you wanted to marry her. She was rather odious.”

Tobias couldn’t keep himself from laughing. “She is that, but in my defense, I didn’t realize it at the time. I was in want of a wife, and she was enchanting. I thought we suited perfectly.”

Her lips pressed into a straight line that screamed her disagreement. “After meeting her, I can’t imagine that was remotely possible.”

Another laugh escaped him, and because he tried not to let it, the sound was somewhere between a snort and a cough. He had to clear his throat after. “You determined that from a single encounter with her?”

“Easily. I’m surprised you found her tolerable, let alone courted her.”

He winced as he rubbed his hand down the side of his face. “I was eager to wed. My father had decreed it was time, and I didn’t have an objection to doing so. Lady Priscilla, as she was known then, made me feel as if I was the most important person in the world. I was certain we would wed. I was on my way to tell her of my intention to ask her father for her hand when I learned she’d already accepted Bentley’s proposal. It was, I’m now loath to admit, upsetting.”