Lydia’s eyes flashed, and a flush replaced her pallor.

“We are grateful,” Lord Pettigrew replied. “My fiancée has much to learn. I assure you that her instincts, no matter how impolite, stem from deep love of her brother.”

“Your protectiveness is ill placed,” the duke said to Lydia. “The earl can take care of himself.”

Yasmin rose and dropped a curtsy. “Good evening, Lady Lydia. Lord Pettigrew.”

Her grandfather grunted. “You’ll have to forgive me for not rising. An old hunting accident.”

“Just so,” Lord Pettigrew said. “I will be honored to send Your Grace the best of the new litter of puppies.” With that he bowed yet again and drew Lydia swiftly through the dining room and out the door.

“The lad will be the making of that young harridan,” the duke said, cheerfully signaling for more wine. “She’ll be a pesky sister-in-law, I must say.”

Yasmin finished her glass, discovering her fingers were trembling.

“Lady Lydia is the image of her mother,” His Grace said. “The woman couldn’t bear to lose an argument. Have you ever read about a hyena?”

Yasmin shook her head.

“Strange animal found in the wilds of Africa. I came across a couple in that zoo in the Tower of London. The keeper told me that the female hunters are aggressive. They lead the pack.”

“Lydia will be furious when she discovers that Giles and I mean to marry,” Yasmin said bleakly.

“It’ll be good for her,” the duke said with finality. “She’s no leader of the pack, that one. She’s too impulsive, and she can’t hold her tongue.”

A chair scraped and Yasmin started as Giles dropped into the seat.

“My sister has been borne away by Pettigrew, supposedly suffering from a headache. From his glowering demeanor, I’d guess that Lydia has managed to upset even that most placid of peers.”

“She is a hoity-toity Holy Willie,” the duke said. “Spiteful, thoughtless, and hypocritical. If you’ll forgive the insult to your sister, Lilford.” At a tilt of His Grace’s chin, a footman sprang forward and poured Giles some wine, filling Yasmin’s glass as well.

“She takes after my mother,” Giles said. “More to the point, Lydia has gone home. Lady Melton has announced that the quartet will play a few waltzes, Lady Yasmin. May I request your hand for the first?”

The rest of the evening was delightful. Everyone in the ballroom eyed them waltzing and chattered about it, but Yasmin didn’t care. She just wanted to keep circling the floor in Giles’s arms, his legs brushing hers with every turn they took. At some point, she leaned back in his arms and laughed at him. “This is my favorite waltz of all we have shared.”

“Why?”

“Because of the way you’re looking at me,” she said under her breath.

“As if I want to ravish you?”

She cleared her throat. “Lord Lilford, I must ask you to behave with more dignity.” She burst into giggles.

“When you laugh, I fear that your breasts might escape your bodice,” Giles said a moment or two later.