She smiled. “Thank you for that. I worry about her less when she’s in your care.”

As always, when receiving any sort of compliment, he blushed. “I enjoy talking with her. She makes me laugh.”

She felt the tiniest of tightenings in her chest. “Does she?”

His blush darkened. “I mustn’t keep her waiting. I’ll see to things Wednesday when you’re not here.”

Watching him go, she sensed a shift in the air around her and knew Matthew was now at her side. Swerving her attention over to him, she realized they were alone in the room, that Lottie had disappeared. “Lottie seems to be taken with you.”

“She’s taken with all men whom she judges to have a few coins in their pockets.”

“I have the impression you have more than a few.”

“I have enough to see me in good stead.” His gaze roamed over her face and she wondered if he wished it was his fingers taking the journey. She certainly wouldn’t have minded. “I didn’t hear you ask Tittlefitz to escort Marianne home.”

“He’d already informed me that it was his intention to do so.”

“Your matchmaking may be bearing fruit.”

She tilted her nose up in the air as haughtily as possible. “I am feeling somewhat satisfied that my efforts are going well.”

“I suppose you’ll focus on your own matchmaking now.”

Running her tongue over her lips, she took gratification when his gaze dipped to her mouth. “The next ball is Wednesday. After having two gentlemen and three ladies call on me, I’m not dreading it as much as I might have. It could be fun.”

“Avoid going for turns about the garden.”

“Do you think a gentleman would take advantage?”

“He might.”

“We’re alone now and you’re not.”

“But I want to, and because I do, I’m going to bid you good night.”

“Where I’m concerned you don’t have to be so honorable.”

“Lords set high standards for the women they want to marry.”

And if she decided she didn’t want to marry a lord? She didn’t pose the question to him. Just because he was drawn to her, wanted to kiss her, didn’t mean he wished to marry her. Perhaps she was in danger of following her romantically inclined heart toward a man who saw her as only a woman to bed, not wed. “As well they should. Still, where’s the harm in a kiss?”