Hart? George stiffened. She only knew one person called Hart. The Duke of blasted Everingham. What on earth was he doing here? He never attended society balls. And what was he doing sneaking into the conservatory? She cursed under her breath.

She recognized one of the ladies—Mrs. Threadgood, a married lady with something of a reputation—her long-suffering husband was no doubt inside in the card room. She was with another lady of about her own age. The third was much younger, the other lady’s daughter, perhaps.

Mrs. Threadgood laughed coyly. “Naughty boy, you wanted us to follow you, didn’t you?”

The ferns rustled beside her. George stiffened. The duke had retreated into her dark corner. Over the rich, fecund scents of the conservatory—and the faint reek of the bucket—a crisp, masculine cologne teased her senses. He was close enough to touch. She was trapped.

Did he know she was there? She stood frozen, barely breathing. Curse him, curse him, curse him!

Two of the ladies had seized lanterns from the garden and were approaching down separate pathways between the plants, chanting, “Come out, come out, wherever you are.” The lights bobbed and swayed as they came closer.

Any minute now she’d be discovered, hiding in the dark conservatory, alone with the duke.

“Get rid of them,” the duke murmured.

George jumped. He did know she was here. “They’re your ladies, you get rid of them,” she whispered. She didn’t want to be found here at all.

“You want them to find us both here alone, together in the dark?” He sounded amused. Of course, no one would blame him. It was always the women who were at fault in these things.

The ladies with their bobbing lanterns were getting closer. Curse them. Curse him.

George took a breath, then stepped out into the lamplight, saying coolly, “Were you looking for me, Mrs. Threadgood?”

The ladies stopped dead. One held her lantern higher. “Good heavens, Lady George, is that you?”

George inclined her head. “Yes, I’m having a little rest. It was so hot inside. I felt a headache coming on but didn’t want to spoil the evening for my aunt. It’s so cool and refreshing in here.” She paused, then added, “Were you looking for someone?”

“Oh, no, no, no. Just a little game we ladies were playing,” Mrs. Threadgood said hastily. “And getting some fresh air, just like you. Er, you didn’t see a gentleman come in here, did you?”

“Yes, though I didn’t catch his face. He was tall, but was only here for a moment. He went out that door.” Peering intently at the floor around their feet, she gestured vaguely toward a side entrance.

One of the ladies tried the side door. “It’s locked,” she said with a suspicious glance at George.