“I adore them,” he said. “As does my sister Fancy—which is the reason she’s surrounding herself with them. Come along, ladies. Let’s put you all to work.”

He ushered them to the door and opened it. Alice fairly skipped into the building. Flo and Connie entered with a bit more decorum, but Selena could sense the anticipation thrumming through them. Selena, however, fearing the afternoon was designated for disaster, stopped beside him. “Does Lady Aslyn know I’ve told them she issued the invitation?”

“Everyone knows what they need to know.”

“Did you tell them . . . everything?”

“It’s not their business, sweetheart.”

“They had questions, surely.”

He tucked a bare knuckle beneath her chin, tilted her face up slightly. “They know I met you at my club. They know I’m intrigued. They know how to hold their tongues. You and your sisters were simply in need of a distraction, and I thought to provide it. You’re safe with us, Selena.”

No, she wasn’t. Whenever he was near, she was in danger of losing her heart.

He’d spoken true. He hadn’t needed to tell his family much in order to obtain their cooperation. They knew he’d met her at his club—although he hadn’t told them how recently they’d met, leaving them to assume their paths had crossed before she became a widow. He’d admitted she intrigued him. He’d explained that he wanted to give her and her sisters a respite from their grieving.

So he wasn’t surprised when he escorted Selena inside to find his family surrounding the younger ladies and welcoming them into the fold. It helped, of course, that they were already acquainted with Mick’s wife—Lady Aslyn—as well as Finn’s wife, Lady Lavinia. It was also clear they knew the Duke of Thornley—Gillie’s husband—as he was a well-placed, influential duke, probably on par with Selena’s late husband. As Thorne took control of the situation, introducing Fancy, Mick, Finn, and Beast, Lady Aslyn broke free of the gathering, strolled over, and took Selena’s hand.

“I was most sorry to hear of Lushing’s passing. You have my deepest condolences.”

“Your kind letter was much appreciated.”

“I should have been there in person to offer what comfort I could, but . . .” Her voice trailed off as she seemed rather uncomfortable with where her words were leading.

“We’re not the most accepting lot,” Selena said with a gentle smile that tightened his gut. Why did she have to be so gracious?

Aslyn laughed lightly. “No, we’re not. Come, I’ll introduce you to everyone.”