“No.” He caught her summer-blue gaze. “There is not another lady who interests me.”

He didn’t know how long they stood gazing at each other, but it was long enough for her sisters to join them.

“My lord, are you enjoying our ball?” Lady Alice said pointedly.

He dragged his eyes from Eleanor. “Immensely, my lady.”

Lady Madeline turned her back to them and her shoulders began to shake. A few moments later, she turned back around. “Oh dear. This will be a ball to remember.”

What did she mean by that?

Eleanor shook her head slightly. “It is our come out ball; naturally we will remember it. Why would you think we would not?”

“It is not that. We joined you because some of the guests had noticed you and Lord Montagu staring at each other.” Lady Alice raised an imperious brow. “You really must take care. Come along, Eleanor. You next dance partner will be here soon.”

Her statement only strengthened his resolve to ask Eleanor to marry him. Otherwise they would become an on-dit for the curious. All he had to do was work out what to say to her.

* * *

Con watched Montagu and Eleanor staring at each other with rapt expressions. “That’s a proposal waiting to happen.”

“The Season will be over by the time he gets around to it,” Rothwell said.

“No.” Con shook his head. “It will be much sooner than that.” Alice and Madeline had Eleanor’s arms and were taking her away from Montagu.

Rothwell drew himself up in his dukely manner. “Take it from me. Nothing is going to happen in that direction any time in the near future. He hasn’t even spoken with Worthington yet.”

He might be a duke, but Con had been on the Town much longer than his brother-in-law, who had gone off to Canada for several years. “I’ll wager you a pony he’ll ask her within the next few days.”

Rothwell had his superior I-am-a-duke-and-know-better look on his face. “I shall be happy to take your money from you.”

“We shall see.” Con smiled smugly. After hearing about Eleanor agreeing to help Montagu with his dependent problems, Con had been watching the man closely. Whether Montagu asked Worthington first or not, it would be very soon.

* * *