“And how long have you been an orphan?”

“Two years.”

“Am I correct in estimating that you were not raised to expect a London Season?”

Was she that transparent? “Yes, Your Majesty.”

“You are very brave to come here today. You’ve acquitted yourself well. I’m sure your parents would be proud. Do not be disappointed if you return to Shropshire unwed, for this will be the adventure of a lifetime.” Her dark eyes gleamed with warmth and perhaps a tinge of excitement.

Fiona didn’t know what to say. What had started as a nervous occasion and deteriorated into calamity was now culminating in something she could only describe as joyous relief. “Thank you, Your Majesty. I am thrilled to be in London and plan to make the most of my time here.”

“Brilliant. You do just that.” She turned her head and spoke to one of her ladies in a low tone so that Fiona couldn’t hear what was said.

Clear that she’d been dismissed, Fiona did her best to turn as elegantly as she’d seen Miss Nethergate do in the antechamber. She was pleased when her skirt only wobbled slightly. Perhaps she would master this just in time for it all to be over.

The queen’s words echoed in her mind as they made their way to stand on the side of the room so they could become spectators instead of the show.

The adventure of a lifetime.

Yes, this London Season was precisely that, and Fiona wasn’t going to waste a moment worrying about being marriageable. She didn’t mean to run headlong into ruin, but she wasn’t going to be cowed into not enjoying things that other young ladies did, such as making small wagers in a perfectly acceptable gaming room. Of course, to do that, she needed funds. Why didn’t she have an allowance?

She looked askance at the earl, who stood to her right. He looked different in his court costume of dark grey velvet, with a silver-embroidered green waistcoat, and an intricately tied cravat with lace. Lace. He should have looked effeminate, but the entirety somehow made his masculinity stand out even more. Rather, more than she’d noticed. Not that she hadn’t noticed he was a man. But today was different. Today, he looked like the men who’d expressed interest in her. Which was preposterous because he hadn’t demonstrated that at all.

No, but he’d shown care and concern here as he’d helped her up from the floor. As if he could read her thoughts, he looked in her direction, his eyes silently querying if she was all right.

“Thank you,” she whispered. “For saving me.”

“It was my pleasure. I will gladly do it again. I am your ally, Miss Wingate.”

She hoped so, for she far preferred him in that role than as a foe. If she’d learned anything since coming to town, it was that having more people in her life was a good thing.

It was also just a little bit complicated.