Gillian greeted Lady Gayfield, who was delighted to have her present and asked whether the earl would be joining her soon. Lady Gayfield was newly married, and nervous about this, her second ton party. She was thrilled, however, that the two most talked-about members of society were going to be present.

“Lord Weston will be here,” Gillian told the viscountess. “He had an important engagement, but he promised he’d be along later.”

Lady Gayfield, feeling one Weston was good, but two would be better, especially if they could be counted on to do something scandalous like embrace publicly, was perfectly happy to wait until all hours for the arrival of the earl.

“May I be allowed to say how much I admired your actions the past evening?”

“My actions?” Gillian looked down at her faintly blue palms.

“Your…your affectionate embrace. It was so very romantic, so full of passion and l’amour! If the mood were to overtake you again this evening, and you wished to embrace your husband in such a manner, I want you to feel free to do so. You are among friends, Lady Weston, friends who would not censure you for feeling what is right and natural for your husband.”

Gillian tried not to let the corners of her mouth twitch. “Thank you, Lady Gayfield. Should I be overcome with emotion and find it necessary to kiss my husband, I will do so secure in the knowledge that I have your full approval.”

“Indeed.” Lady Gayfield smiled delightedly and pressed Gillian’s hand, with grand visions of the gossip that would fly from her party the following day should the Westons behave with suitably improper behavior. “Indeed, I would not mind at all were you to give free rein to your emotions.”

Gillian found the idea of the ton holding its collective breath waiting for her and Noble to display their affection very amusing.

“You are, after all, newly wed.”

“Very true, and while I appreciate the offer to heed the call of our passions and desires, I believe Lord Weston will draw the line at actually bedding me in front of your guests.”

There were gasps behind her as others overheard her outrageous statement.

“Oh, yes, of course.” Lady Gayfield gasped also, in mingled horror and delight. Who knew what Lady Weston would say next? She almost hoped it would be something just as shocking. If only the Westons would see fit to conduct themselves in a scandalous fashion, her reputation as a hostess of the most interesting ton parties would be made.

Gillian made her excuses and escaped both Lady Gayfield and Lord Rosse and went in search of her cousin. She had passed from a reception room to the supper room but couldn’t find her, and was just about to peer into the card room when she spied a familiar figure seated in a corner next to an enormous palm.

“Sir,” she said, making a formal curtsy.

“Eh? Oh, it’s you, gel. Thought I’d see you here this evening.”