“He hasn’t offered me an affront.”

“He knows he wouldn’t get anywhere with you. You’re too—”

“Old?” Yasmin supplied. “I do feel like a spinster at times. One of these days I’ll dwindle into a wallflower.”

Silvester blinked at her, startled. “Spinster? You’re the most beautiful woman on the marriage mart this year. All eligible gentlemen are at your feet. The grumpy earl as well, for all he hasn’t asked you to dance this evening.”

Yasmin felt a rush of affection for Silvester, along with a strong suspicion that he was a good deal more perceptive than he allowed others to know. She leaned over and tapped him on the cheek. “Your Grace, you are a great flatterer.”

“You should do that again after Lilford has made his appearance,” Silvester said, laughter running through his deep voice.

“Why?”

“To convince him that he has no chance. Because he has no chance, has he?”

Yasmin shook her head.

“In fact, perhaps you should kiss me.” He caught her hand in his. “On the very cheek where you just caressed me.”

“I didn’t caress you!”

“The earl would think you did,” Silvester said smugly. “If he had the ability, he’d probably throw a spare lightning bolt at me. I’ve seen him glowering at your suitors.”

Yasmin broke out laughing. “A lightning bolt? As in Jove’s favorite weapon? You have completely misjudged that man’s power, not to mention his interest.”

“For months now he’s claimed the first waltz with the most beautiful woman in London without even bothering to smile at you. Godlike powers or magic? To us poor mortals, it felt like Jove had come down from Mount Olympus.”

Yasmin shook her head, giggling. “I do hope you are not implying I could end up in love with a swan?”

One side of Silvester’s mouth crooked into a smile and he said, “That would never be you, Yasmin, would it?”

“No gods have paid me visits clad in feathers. Didn’t Jove show up as a cuckoo bird as well? If I encounter a bird with amorous intentions, I will kick it solidly, god or no. So no, that is not me.”

Silvester’s smile deepened. “I mean, darling, that you are an incredibly good girl, aren’t you?”

Yasmin felt herself going pink.

“Lilford is not the right man for you.”

“I agree,” Yasmin said instantly. “I dislike him.”

“Hmmm,” Silvester said. “I wish that was so. Perhaps in time it will be true. I’ve watched you dancing with him. You flare into life. Instead of smiling all the time, you scowl and fuss and generally resemble a woman rather than an extremely pretty china figurine.”

“I scowl at you regularly,” Yasmin said, finishing her champagne, because the conversation was making her uneasy.

“A point in my favor, I admit.”

“The earl irritates me,” she confessed. “I am tempted to drive him to rage, which is childish in the extreme. I have decided to stop the practice.”

“Thereby giving me hope,” Silvester said lightly. He glanced down at the dance card he still held. “I do believe that you’re supposed to be waltzing with Algie Dunlap at this very moment. Let’s stay here, shall we? He’s a tiresome young fool and likely won’t glimpse you in this corner.”