Celia forced her body to relax as they continued along the graveled path leading back to Beaumont. But she felt like growling at Lydia when the girl blithely continued.

“It has been said he is the illegitimate son of an English lord. Or maybe it was a French count. It’s all so mysterious and fascinating. The man is quite handsome, and reportedly rich as Midas to boot.” A dreamy expression passed over Lydia’s face. “I’ve never seen him actually take part in any social events, but the man is hardly a peasant. Would it be beyond the pale if he took a lady’s hand for a waltz or two? I mean, Lady Elise married a commoner and she’s the daughter of a marquess.”

“The daughter of a penniless marquess,” Ivy clarified. “There are many reasons Stalling accepted that offer for his daughter’s hand in marriage.”

“And all counted out in pounds,” another lady said with a giggle. “But it’s said the marriage is agreeable to all parties. Indeed, it’s rumored Lady Elise’s husband is quite in love with his new bride and she with him.”

“I wonder if Mister Rose has ever shown an interest in a woman of the upper class?” Lydia mused aloud.

“You could ask Mister Rose these questions yourself, Lady Lydia,” Sara invited with an amused chuckle. “In fact, here is your chance, for I believe he rides toward us along with Lord Bentley and Lord Ravenswood.”

“No, thank you!” Lydia waved her hand so quickly it loosened a few tendrils of hair. The wisps flew around her pretty face as she dramatically declared, “I would fear for my reputation and perhaps my personal safety if I spoke so boldly. Mister Rose does not appear he would invite prying into his affairs in any form, even if for the sake of harmless curiosity. I merely speculated aloud. My father would never approve of such a man, even if his coffers are deep.”

“Wealth does make it easier to excuse a lack of title,” Lady Caroline Robertson remarked with a sly smile. “But perhaps Mister Rose is better suited as a lover, rather than as a husband.”

“That scar of his nearly frightens me half to death,” one lady commented with a shudder of distaste. “Although the rest of his form quite makes up for that one flaw.”

Ivy shot the women a quelling glance. “Remember we do have a few unmarried ladies among us, please.”

Lydia smoothed the front of her gown and straightened her elaborate bonnet. “Anyway, one must admit he is handsome, even with the scar.”

“Yes,” Caroline agreed in a sultry voice. “We can all agree on that point, at least.”

More than a few of the ladies craned their necks for a better view of the men advancing across the meadow.

Celia’s annoyance increased as the three horses galloped closer. She’d always believed her own interest in Gabriel Rose to be a singular thing. After more than a year of watching the man from beneath lowered lashes, she never considered someone else might also find him attractive. Nor had she thought another might seek his attention.