“Well, I hadn’t had any really,” Lisa admitted, glancing to her brother-in-law with a wry smile. “However, I noticed there were a bunch of calling cards in the salver in the entry on my way downstairs and stopped to see what that was all about. It appears I have several requests for calls today.”

Robert frowned at this news. He’d noticed the cards in the silver salver by the door on his way by, but hadn’t stopped to look at them.

“Yes, I noticed them myself,” Richard murmured with amusement. “It appears you were quite a hit last night. There are at least six cards from men hoping for permission to call today.”

“Hmm.” Lisa nodded, and then swallowed the bit of egg she’d taken a bite of. “It was fun, and fortunately all the cards are from men I wouldn’t mind seeing again. I suppose I shall send replies agreeing to see them.”

“Is there something wrong, Robert?” Richard asked, startling him out of the scowl he was giving Lisa.

“She shouldn’t be agreeing to visits until we find out who the suitor was,” he growled, more irritated than he should have been at this news.

“Well, they will hardly drag her from the house,” Richard said reasonably. “I’m sure it will be fine. Although, I don’t suggest you have all six come today,” he added, glancing back to Lisa. “It might cause a brawl in the parlor.”

She laughed gaily at the suggestion. “Oh, surely not, Richard. They are all gentlemen.”

“All but the one who paid Mrs. Morgan to drug and strip you naked for his pleasure,” Robert snapped, finally garnering her attention.

Lisa turned a scalding look his way. In contrast, her voice was dead cold when she spoke. “I was not naked, Robert. You were not looking very carefully if you thought I was. I was wearing a very lovely gown. In fact, it’s so lovely I think I shall keep it to wear on my wedding night for my husband.”

“For your husband?” he asked with disbelief.

“Yes, my husband,” she said with a shrug, turning her attention back to her plate. “I plan to marry this year. I just haven’t decided which lucky man shall get me.”

Robert stared at the top of her head blankly, his whole world shaken for some reason. He supposed it was because he was used to having her silent adoration and had never considered the possibility of losing it. Really, it was rather good for a man’s ego to have a pretty girl’s cherishing eyes following him about, and every word from her mouth sweet and complimentary. However, it seemed Richard and Daniel were right. She had given up on him and was actively seeking a husband. Someone who would replace him in her affections.