“Alex!” she cried. She took one step, but the combination of shock and the fact she had just jumped to her feet blurred her eyes. Without a word, and for the first time in her life, Charlotte fainted clear away. Luckily Sophie had just risen to her feet, and when Charlotte suddenly swayed, she automatically reached out her arms. A minute later she found herself sitting on the floor, Charlotte’s head and shoulders in her lap, completely bewildered. Then Sophie looked up, and at the same moment Charlotte opened her eyes.

The man smiling down at the two beautiful women saw a puzzled expression on their faces that he had seen a thousand times before. Patrick squatted down on his ankles, patting his new sister-in-law’s hand.

“How do you feel?”

“Are you Alex?” Charlotte whispered.

Sophie didn’t say anything. To her mind, this man—obviously Alex’s twin—looked like the earl only from a distance.

But Charlotte was still half in a swoon, her mind foggy. She reached out and touched Patrick’s cheek wonderingly. “You aren’t a ghost, are you?”

Patrick’s eyebrow shot up. Was his brother’s wife touched in the upper works? Sophie shot him an admonishing look.

“Will you please help the countess off the floor?” she said, with something less than full social politeness. “This is your sister-in-law, as I’m sure you have realized.”

Surprised, Patrick looked at the little termagant who was clutching his brother’s wife. Then he smiled back at Charlotte, dismissing Sophie from his mind.

“I am your brother-in-law, you know,” he said winsomely. “Not Alex at all.”

“I apologize,” Charlotte said more firmly. “I can’t imagine what came over me. But I would like to get up now.” She was uneasily aware that there was a cluster of people hovering around them. She quickly sat up, and then put her hand to her head. Lord, her head was swimming!

In a second Patrick scooped her off the ground and stood up with Charlotte in his arms. She struggled, feeling with real distress the sharp eyes of all the gossips standing around them.

“This isn’t proper,” she whispered. “Put me down, please.”

Patrick strode over to the nearest divan and deposited her with aplomb. Then he stepped back and gave a flourishing bow. “I am Patrick Foakes, my lady, and very pleased to make your acquaintance,” he said. “I just stepped off the ship this morning. When I came by to see Alex I was told of your existence, and of the fact that you were at this lovely musicale.” He smiled at Mrs. Felvitson’s sharp little face, hovering at his elbow.

“Oh, dear,” Charlotte said lamely. “Alex did send you a letter telling you of our wedding, in the diplomatic pouch.”

“Must have been already traveling when it arrived,” Patrick said. “Would you like me to accompany you to the house? There seem to be a plaguey amount of people watching us here.”