Page 6 (1/2)

CHAPTER ONE

Berkshire, England

1814

If ever a gentleman stood in need of forbearance then this confounded house party surely fit the bill Jonathan Oliver, Earl of Selwood, stood a and wished himself elsewhere The perfumed stench of his best friends’ circle of acquaintances—each resplendent injewels than necessary—choked the very breath fros

Jonathan eased out of theconversation he’d beco quarry Unfortunately, a hand claone very far

“I tell you she’s up to no good, Selwood”

Jonathan groaned but turned to face his friend, Lord Warminster “To whom do you refer to this time?”

Warhtened “Lady Warminster, of course”

Jonathan glanced down at the hand that held him in place “How so?”

Warhts up whenever any gentle too Can you not see what I mean?”

Jonathan saw nothing in Lady Warh level of distrust But then again, he was conversing with the land, and should hardly be surprised by the direction of his friend’s thoughts

Warlided past with a group of twittering acquaintances Her deeper, earthy chuckle reached Jonathan’s ears as she clung to his sister’s ar a confidence The lady appeared to hi

“If anything, your mother appears happy,” Jonathan conceded “About ti his older friend would not agree

Beside him, Warminster’s scowl deepened “Step-ne and Jonathan’s friend scooped up a glass with an extravagant movelass to the tray “I have a job for you, Selwood”

“No!” Jonathan groaned Whenever War done, no , Jonathan would certainly face a moral dilemma He didn’t like to spy on acquaintances, but Lord Warminster often called on him to do so whenever he had state business elsewhere And his request couldn’t possibly come at a more inconvenient time

“I need you to keep an eye on her,” Waruests, I cannot watch over her closely enough”

Damn Warminster to hell and back Jonathan had plans for this house party Watching over an unattainable woh on his list His et his hands on “She’s a grooman Let her have a bit of fun if she wants it Good God, why must you meddle constantly?”

“Because—” Warroaned dramatically—“it appears toaway herfor my father only to throw herself into soht It is imperative that she not form inappropriate—and potentially inquisitive—romantic attachments”

Jonathan’s gaze turned to Lady War an affair with the lovely ould be fraught with considerable danger “She’d hardly do what you fear,” Jonathan whispered, breath lost as his pulse beat a sudden gallop

Warminster shook him “Look at her The clothes, the jewels, the elaborate hair fashion—” Warht—“damn it, Selwood, she even commissioned a new scent I can see a mad scheme as well as anyone”

Mad scheton, Lady Warht be ten years Jonathan’s senior, but she er woman Lady Warminster’s head lifted and then turned in their direction Pale green eyes held his gaze across the ballroom floor, and her lips lifted in a polite s new to encourage a pleasure-hungry bachelor She didn’t see bedfellow at all He couldn’t iht

But Lord War hi for the house party How exactly do you expect me to accomplish this feat?”