And it was absolutely perfect. She’d wanted a scandal to present itself and present itself it had, in the form of Lord Green.

Jane shivered. What was it about taking off her spectacles that made her feel so … scandalous? Perhaps it was because a handsome gentleman had never shown the slightest interest in her before? Perhaps it was because she’d never had the slightest inclination to return that interest? But there was something about this tall, dark man that made her want to go into the drawing room with him alone … even if they were only going to view an old painting. Not that she didn’t like paintings—she adored the British Museum and spent absolute days there getting lost among the displays, carefully studying the lines of the Rubenses and the strokes in the Gainsboroughs. She could examine a Botticelli for hours on end. But she seriously doubted a painting of Cass’s ancestor would keep her attention longer than a moment or two. Not to mention she couldn’t see a thing at present. No, it was Lord Green who was keeping her attention.

Who was he? Scandal or no, she should know his name before she took off into the drawing room with him. Shouldn’t she? “I should like that, Mr.…”

Instead of replying, he took her by the elbow and ushered her toward the drawing room. “As I said. One of the advantages of a masquerade is to be incognito.” He flashed a grin. She could only see a white streak in the blur that was his face but it didn’t matter. The man might look like an ogre for all she knew but he seemed handsome, indeed, and that was enough to pretend with tonight. And wasn’t he correct? One of the advantages of a masquerade was to be incognito. She didn’t want to give her name either, now that she thought on it. He might have heard the name Jane Lowndes linked to “wallflower” the way “indulgence” was linked to the Prince Regent. Inseparable, those two. If Lord Green pressed her, she would give the name Bunbury, or Wollstonecraft, perhaps. Yes, Miss Wollstonecraft. Perfect. That had been her pretend name at the infamous house party last autumn. For now, she was content remaining entirely anonymous.

Lord Green pushed open the door to the drawing room. The space was dark save for the faint glow coming from one small candle. He left her near the entryway and went to fetch the candle, bringing it back and shutting the door. Hmm. She’d been right about him. He was attempting to get her alone with him. She had no experience with such things. What happened next? Would she be forced to slap him? Should she use the words “Unhand me, sir?” or threaten to have her brother call him out? That would be scandalous, but perhaps a bit too scandalous. Of course, she didn’t have a brother, but he didn’t know that. An insignificant detail, really.

“The painting is over here,” Lord Green said, grasping her hand and pulling her gently behind him. Jane nearly gasped at the touch of his warm fingers. Even through her glove she could feel it. Perhaps she didn’t have to slap him. Perhaps she didn’t have to pretend she had a brother to call him out. Perhaps she could … kiss him. That would be scandalous too. Quite scandalous. The thought made a hot knot unravel in the pit of her belly and somewhere … lower. She took a deep breath and trailed along behind him.