Lisa glanced away. She would have to point out to Robert that he would give people ideas with his behavior were he not careful. Aloud she said, “Oh well, my brother-in-law, Lord Radnor, asked Robert to help keep an eye on me while I am in town. I fear they worry that having grown up in the country I may not be aware of all the dangers and pitfalls of the city.”

“Hmm,” Charles murmured, and then glanced to her, his eyes dropping to her décolletage and back. “Then I shall be happy to help keep an eye on you too.”

“My lord, I suspect you are one of the possible pitfalls,” Lisa said with a laugh, and he offered a sad moue.

“Oh, now you wound me, Miss Madison. I have been a complete gentleman.”

“So far,” she agreed with amusement.

“So far,” he allowed. “And I promise I shall remain so in your presence . . . for the most part at least,” he added wryly and then explained, “Eventually, I will manage that kiss I have been trying to claim.”

Lisa merely smiled faintly, wondering if it would be too forward to admit she was looking forward to it. Her first kiss. She had always planned and hoped that Robert would be her first kiss. However, it looked as if that wasn’t going to happen. That being the case, she supposed she would just have to suffer and accept a kiss from the very handsome Lord Findlay instead. It didn’t seem like much of a trial at that point. While her interest was primarily in Robert, he wasn’t behaving very nicely, while Lord Findlay was being an absolute dear. Complimenting her, dancing with her, picking her flowers . . . And at least he wanted to kiss her. Which made a nice change from Robert’s constant claims that he thought of her as nothing more than a sister.

Chapter Seven

Chapter Seven

“You were not supposed to leave the house.”

“No one said anything about not leaving the house,” Lisa said calmly, starting up the stairs with Bet on her heels. They had stopped to collect the maid on the way back to Christiana and Richard’s home, as well as to wish the other men good day, and then Lord Findlay had returned her and Bet to the townhouse with Robert at their back every minute of the journey like some disapproving parent.

“You are being deliberately obtuse, Lisa,” Robert said grimly, following them up the stairs. “I am here to watch over you. How can I do that if you are not even in the house?”

“Well, if you had been there watching me then I wouldn’t have gone without you, would I?” she asked mildly. “Besides, I was perfectly safe.”