Tobias pivoted to excuse himself. He needed to extend his own invitations to dance.

“Just a moment,” Lady Pickering said. She edged closer to him, lowering her voice to a bare whisper. “Are you aware that your ward was seen walking in Hyde Park yesterday morning?”

Evidently that was bad, given Lady Pickering’s disdainful expression. Her dark brows were pitched low over her eyes, which flashed with mild irritation.

He looked toward Miss Lancaster, who stood far enough away that she couldn’t hear what they said. In addition, she’d fixed her attention on the dancefloor. “Er, no. I didn’t even realize she’d gone for a walk at all.”

“This must not happen. Ladies do not walk in Hyde Park before the afternoon. Do you know what sort of nastiness happens in Hyde Park in the morning?”

Tobias looked at her blankly. “I often ride on Rotten Row in the morning.”

“Precisely. You are a man. And an obtuse one at that. You must instruct Miss Wingate, and more importantly, her companion, that they are not to do that.”

“I’m certain it was an oversight.” Except Miss Lancaster should have known better, shouldn’t she? But then Tobias didn’t know her that well. He’d relied entirely on Lucien’s recommendation.

“Good. You’ll need to keep a much closer eye on your household, particularly if you want to achieve your own goals. Regarding that matter, who are you considering?”

“Ah, Miss Goodfellow perhaps?” He still didn’t know who she was.

“Then why aren’t you dancing with her?”

Tobias glanced about, which was absurd since he didn’t even know who he was looking for. “She’s here?”

Lady Pickering sighed. “Have you even met her?”

“Probably.”

“Can you pick her out?”

“No.”

She exhaled with exasperation. “Come with me.”

He held up his hand. “Wait just a moment and then you may introduce us. Or reintroduce us.” He shook his head. “If you have other recommendations, I’d be interested to hear them. Just no young ladies in their first Season.”

“Why?”

“I prefer someone with a bit more experience.”

Lady Pickering’s brows climbed.

“Not that kind of experience, though a widow would be acceptable.”

“I see. You want a woman who already knows who she is and what she wants.”

“That would be wonderful, actually.”

“I will keep that in mind. And I do have suggestions. I’ll introduce you to one or two of them tonight if they are here.” She gave him a sharp stare that made him want to fidget, and he never fidgeted. “Why are you in a rush to marry suddenly?”

He shrugged, not intending to tell her, or anyone else, the true reason. “I just am.”

“There is more to it than that, but I won’t demand an answer.” She narrowed her eyes. “Yet.”

Pausing to tell Miss Lancaster they were going to mingle, Lady Pickering led him to the refreshment area and introduced him to Miss Goodfellow. If Tobias had met her before, he didn’t remember. He also didn’t remember her mother, who stood alongside her. Both were attractive women, taller than average, with bright cobalt eyes.