“I have already discovered your sister is stubborn,” he replied in a sly tone of voice. “But I was . . . persuasive.” And that additional comment made it seem as though—well, as though something was happening that absolutely was not.

Which Della could tell because of her own reaction, but also because of her sisters’ faces.

“Look,” she said, speaking in a low tone of voice, “do not be shocked when you hear that Lord Stanbury and I are engaged.”

“You are!” Olivia exclaimed. She started to wrap her arms around Della, who shook her head, sharing a commiserating glance with Eleanor.

“We are not, but we are saying we are so as to—so as . . .” She turned to Lord Stanbury. “What are we doing anyway?”

He grinned. “You are helping me keep the ladies at bay.” He swept into a bow. “You see, ladies, I am irresistible. Especially now that it will be known that I am a duke’s heir.”

“That is very clever,” Eleanor commented. “Although you should have kept it a secret from Olivia.”

“I can keep a secret as well as anybody!” Olivia retorted, far louder than Della would have liked.

“Yes, I can see how good you are at not drawing attention to yourself,” Della replied dryly.

“Hmph,” Olivia said, but her eyes sparkled and it looked as though she was pleased to be in on the subterfuge.

“Lord Stanbury,” a soft voice called from a few feet away. A handsome older woman drew toward them, a smile on her face. “I am Lady Linden. It is so lovely you were able to attend our gathering. I am hoping the duke is feeling better?”

A shadow crossed Lord Stanbury’s face, so quickly Della might have missed it if she hadn’t been looking at him at the time. Come to think of it, she spent a lot of the time she was with him just—looking at him.

Damn him for being so attractive, and stirring up all those feelings.

“Yes, he sends his greetings. And sends me, of course,” Lord Stanbury said.

“And you are Lady Della?” Lady Linden said, turning to Della.

She braced herself for the inevitable look of disapproval. But the lady’s face was just warm and welcoming, and she felt something inside her relax.

She still had the remainder of the guests to face, of course, but at least one person wasn’t going to be unpleasant.

She would take it as a win.

“Yes, thank you, my lady,” Della said.

“If you will excuse me,” Lady Linden said. “I will leave you with your sisters and Lord Stanbury. Thank you so much for coming.” She sounded sincere, and Della thought perhaps this wouldn’t be as bad as she’d anticipated.

She felt a pinch on her arm. She turned around, not surprised to see it was Olivia.

“What is going on?” Olivia said in a whisper. “You have to tell us, I am dying of curiosity!”