Rhystan almost snorted at the ridiculous designation.

“As if anyone could hold a candle to you.” Ravenna rolled her eyes and threw herself back against the squabs. “And as if my brother could keep his eyes off you. He practically galloped out of the ballroom the minute you stepped out onto that balcony. It was a wonder that Mama did not see him leave and discover you earlier herself.” Her gaze sparkled with mischief and panned between them. “Is it true what Littleton said that you were doing out there?”

“We were talking,” Rhystan said.

Ravenna grinned. “Is that what they’re calling it these days? I suppose you do use your tongue for both.”

Sarani gasped with a smothered laugh, and he scowled, though the recollection of Sarani’s sweet taste made his mouth water. He suddenly wanted to kiss her again. Kiss her elsewhere. See if she was as sweet there as her lips had been.

His sister cackled. “You are a dissembler, brother.”

“Ravenna, enough,” he snapped. “That is unseemly.”

But of course his warning went unheeded. “My goodness, the gossip was afire. A duke ravaging a lady? The aloof Duke of Embry no less?” She pressed a hand to her mouth to hold back her giggles. “Poor Penelope. She and Lady Windmere were dead certain she was going to receive an offer from you. Though I warned her months ago that I suspected my brother’s heart was elsewhere.”

“Was she expecting an offer?” Sarani asked.

“Penelope intimated as much,” Ravenna said. “She has already had seven offers from suitors. It’s because she’s an heiress of course. Her dowry is enormous, like her head.”

Rhystan shook his head. “She could have all the money in England, but marrying that chit will drive any man to an early grave. Any other gentleman is welcome to her, but not me.”

“Speaking of suitors,” Sarani interjected, peering at Ravenna. “Any young men take your fancy tonight? I did not spot a single silly, smelly sir in tonight’s mix.”

“Not a one, no.” Ravenna let out an aggrieved sigh. “They’re all boring, full of their own importance, and lacking in ambition. They were all commendable dancers, though, and creditable punch fetchers. I was not thirsty for one second the entire evening.”

Rhystan flattened his lips. “Courtship is not a joking matter, Ravenna. You need to secure a husband.”

“Why?” his sister shot back. “So you can leave again? Go back to your exciting, shipboard life?”

He stared at her. That was exactly why. But hearing it stated so baldly and seeing the fleeting flash of hurt on her face made something tighten inside him.

“Ravenna—”

“I don’t wish to marry anyone.” She drew a deep breath. “Well, not right now. I want to travel and see the world as you have. Visit India, maybe where Sara grew up. I’ve talked to Asha—”