Tobias knew what she was doing. “You’re trying to maneuver your way into an assembly, aren’t you?”

“Is that bad?” Her eyes narrowed slightly, and she pursed her lips. “You’re certainly not helping.”

“That’s not true.” He crossed his arms. “Why are you so bloody interested in going to a Phoenix Club ball anyway?”

She blew out a breath. “Didn’t I just finish explaining how coveted an invitation to the Phoenix Club is? Truly, if you want me to have a successful Season, I must attend a Phoenix Club assembly. Only think of how attractive that will make me to potential suitors.”

Laughter exploded from him then. “Attending a ball as a guest is not the same as being a member. I daresay there will be a number of young ladies who attend a ball who will not find themselves members in the future when they are eligible.”

“So some of the attendees will be beneath the club’s lofty standards, while I won’t even be able to go.” She clasped her hands in her lap and blinked at him.

Hell, he’d walked right into that. “I am working on how you might attend an assembly, all right?”

Unlacing her hands, she rested them on the seat on either side of her lap. “You are?”

“Don’t be disappointed if it doesn’t come to fruition.”

“It’s a stupid rule. You’re a member and you’re my guardian. I should be able to go with Prudence as my chaperone.”

Once again, he couldn’t argue with her reasoning. If she knew he was a member of the committee that could change such rules, she would never let the matter alone. “I’ll speak with Lucien.” Perhaps they should allow young ladies with male family members—or guardians—to attend the assemblies. And Lucien wouldn’t have to invite his irritating aunt. Damn, why hadn’t he thought of this earlier?

“Miss Wingate, if I haven’t already marveled at your intelligence, allow me to do so again.”

She inclined her head with a well-earned, smug smile. “Thank you, my lord.”

Very smart. And amusing.

And far too beautiful by half.

“I must say, I did like Lord Gregory,” she murmured, turning her gaze toward the window.

And she just might beat Tobias to the altar.

Chapter 9

Fiona strode eagerly into the drawing room where the butler said Cassandra was waiting for her. Before Fiona could greet her, Cassandra waved for Fiona to join her on the settee.

“I have news,” she said with a rather dire tone.

“Has your father betrothed you to someone?” Fiona asked with deep concern.

Cassandra’s animated expression arrested. She stared at Fiona a moment, then blinked. “Whyever would you think that?”

“You just sounded so serious, and now you’ve lines etched into your forehead.”

Laughing, Cassandra massaged her brow. “Better?” At Fiona’s nod, she returned her hand to her lap. “Lucien told me our aunt is not getting an invitation to the Phoenix Club.”

Disappointment blazed in Fiona’s chest. “Why not?”

“Apparently the membership committee was not in favor.” Cassandra exhaled. “It’s no use being upset about it. I begged him to try again, but he said the committee’s vote is final—and I’m not even supposed to know there was a vote. If I tell anyone, he said he’ll send me to a nunnery.”