“Five years ago you weren’t so stuffy and priggish! Five years ago you were interesting!”

He gritted his teeth against replying as he reached the top of the steps and opened the door. Two more steps and he would be inside, safe, away from the blend of temptation and aggravation that was personified by Lady Charlotte.

“Very interesting, in fact. I can honestly say that the day Gillian stumbled and tore off your kilt was one of the most interesting days I’ve ever spent. You’re just not the same man you were then.”

Five years ago he had just inherited his title, and had no idea of the extent of his predecessor’s debts. Five years ago he wasn’t facing bankruptcy and ruin. Five years ago he had a future. He turned to face the blonde watching him with clear eyes that were no doubt at that moment filled with scorn and condemnation for the man he had become. He allowed a grim, humorless smile to play about his lips.

“Truer words were never spoken, my lady.”

Three

If a group of harlequins, accompanied by monkeys, dancing bears, and pantomime artists, had suddenly burst onto Green Crescent with every sinew of their bodies intent on entertaining and amusing the populace, they would have sobbed in despair at the notice given them by Lady Charlotte as she drove herself home. There were no harlequins, monkeys, bears, or pantomimists, however, leaving Charlotte’s attention free to dwell on the events of the morning.

“Crotch?” she said after some thought.

“Er…Crouch, m’lady.”

“Yes, of course. My apologies. Crouch, I’m going to want a footman to take a note to Lady Beverly.”

“As ye wish, m’lady.”

“It will be a very important note, Crouch. You must choose a reliable footman.”

“All the footmen are reliable, m’lady.”

“Yes, but this one must be especially reliable, for the note he will be entrusted with could mean my complete and unbound happiness. Lady Beverly is not yet aware of it, but she is going to assist in restoring me to my rightful position.”

“That bein’?”

Charlotte raised her chin as she turned the corner for Britton House, pulling up with a dashing flourish of her whip. A footman ran to hold the horses while Crouch handed her down.

“My rightful position is that of reigning Incomparable, of course. As Lady Carlisle, I shall once again be freely admitted into the arms of the ton. Once there, I will have no difficulty at all in obtaining everything I’ve lacked for the last four years—position, respect, admiration… Yes, this will be a very important note. Perhaps you should take it yourself. It must be delivered safely, for without Caro’s help, I shan’t be able to attend Lady Jersey’s masquerade ball three days hence, and if I don’t attend Lady Jersey’s masquerade ball three days hence, I shan’t be able to trap Lord Carlisle into a compromising position, and if I don’t trap Lord Carlisle into a compromising position, he will never marry me, and if he never marries me—”