And he hadn’t been lying when he said he did not want to be married. If he had to be shackled by his ducal responsibilities, he’d be damned if he’d add even more into his life. He’d seen his parents—seen how they might have once loved one another, only to become bitter and disappointed by one another’s failings. And how his father had betrayed his mother so many times.

He wouldn’t subject himself to that.

“My lord?” she said. She sounded impatient. How long had he been lost in thought?

“Apologies. Until tonight, then?”

She nodded, then beckoned to her maid and walked away, leaving him staring after her, this time able to look at her form, which was swaying enticingly.

Entering Society was going to be an enormous amount of fun, now that he’d found someone as fascinating as her to accompany him.

The butler paused before announcing her name. Della smiled gently at him. She hoped he wouldn’t be reprimanded for allowing her inside; it wasn’t his fault that Viscount Huge had taken it into his head to bring her here this evening.

“Lady—Lady Della Howlett,” the man said at last.

Della held her breath as she saw everyone in the room turn as one. If it weren’t for his hand at her back—if it weren’t for Sarah—she would have spun on her heel and run out of the room, no matter how bravely she faced scurrilous merchants, recalcitrant schoolgirls, and feisty kittens.

“Go on,” he urged in a low voice. “You are betrothed to the most fascinating man in London. Nobody will scorn you, I promise.”

“Griffith Davies, Viscount Stanbury,” the butler said, this time as though he were actually pleased to be saying the name.

The crowd reacted again, their shocked expressions from before now tinged with curiosity.

Della saw a whirl of color approach her, like a pinwheel come alive, and realized it was Olivia and Eleanor, their eyes wide and their mouths hanging open in surprise.

She hadn’t told her sisters she’d be doing this, so of course they were startled. That they had bolted out from the crowd so quickly to stand by her side made her relax just a tiny bit.

“We didn’t know you were coming this evening,” Olivia said, her eyes darting back and forth from Lord Stanbury to Della, avid interest in her gaze.

“My lord, allow me to present my sisters. This is Lady Eleanor Raybourn, and Lady Olivia—” She paused, frowning. “What is your name anyway?”

Olivia stuck her hand out to Lord Stanbury. “Lady Olivia Wolcott,” she said.

“I am pleased to make your acquaintance, my lady. And yours, Lady Eleanor.”

“We’re just thrilled you were able to persuade Della to come out,” Olivia said in a delighted tone. “I have told her that it would be fine, but she would not listen.”