After an affirmative response, the butler bowed himself out. Lady Parnell turned to Amanda, her eyes bright with excitement.

‘A conquest indeed! Our callers are none other than Lady Ravensfell and her son! Obviously Jane couldn’t wait to meet the girl who so impressed Trowbridge…and he couldn’t wait to see you again.’

‘How did they even know I’d arrived?’ Amanda asked, receiving the news with mixed emotions. Of course, she was flattered that Trowbridge had lost no time fulfilling his promise to have his mama call, but she was also a bit apprehensive to see him again—and to be subjected to his mother’s appraisal.

Wasn’t being sought after the point of this journey? And what better way to ensure she met all the eligible young men of the ton, than to have it known one of the biggest prizes on the Marriage Mart was paying her particular attention?

‘Trowbridge is obviously a determined young man. I wouldn’t put it past him to have tipped a groom or footman to let him know when your carriage arrived. One must admire his ingenuity.’

If Trowbridge had that strong an interest in her, she might in the next few moments be meeting her future mama-in-law. Trying to master the nervousness that observation generated, Amanda accompanied Lady Parnell to the Blue Parlour.

Their visitors rose as they walked in. Tall and blonde like her son, Lady Ravensfell had obviously been a Beauty in her youth, and was exceedingly lovely still.

After greeting Amanda’s sponsor affectionately, she came to take Amanda’s hands. ‘I’m delighted to meet you, Miss Neville! Lucien was so eloquent in his praise of your person and character, I confess I couldn’t wait to make your acquaintance.’

‘You are most kind, Lady Ravensfell, though I fear Lord Trowbridge must have exaggerated my charms most dreadfully.’

‘Oh, I am sure he did not! But first, let me offer you my sympathies on the loss of your dear mama. How distressing it must be for you to make your bow without her at your side!’

Touched by her sincere sympathy, Amanda replied, ‘Thank you, ma’am. It is difficult. But Lady Parnell has done everything to make me feel at home and comfortable.’

‘You must count on me for assistance as well, should you ever need it. If Maria is occupied, I should be happy to act as your sponsor in her stead.’

A bit alarmed by the implications of that remark, Amanda said, ‘How very generous of you.’

‘Not at all. But I see Lucien glowering at me for monopolising you, so let me cede my place to my son.’ That said, she settled on the sofa beside Lady Parnell, allowing Trowbridge to take the place beside Amanda.

‘My mama is a lovely lady, as you can see,’ Lord Trowbrdge said, bringing her gloved fingertips up for a kiss.

She waited…but felt no zing of response to his touch. Distracted by that unfortunate observation, Amanda missed his next few words before she forced her attention back to his speech.

‘You see, as I assured you at Ashton,’ he was saying, ‘you can count upon Mama’s help as well as Lady Parnell’s in making you welcome to society.’

‘She is being most obliging.’

‘Do I not receive thanks as well? For encouraging Mama to display her natural kindness?’

She had to smile at the ingenuousness of that ploy. ‘Very well. Thank you, Lord Trowbridge, for inspiring your mama to exhibit her gratifying generosity.’

He shrugged modestly. ‘A wise stratagem, I hope. I’m only a man, lack-witted where ladies are concerned, but even I know enough to recognise a gentleman’s access to a young maiden is strictly controlled by her chaperon. I’ll have a better chance of seeing you more often if Mama makes you a frequent guest.’

‘My lord, that’s quite diabolical!’ Amanda reproved. ‘Are you already so sure you will wish to see me more often?’

‘Absolutely convinced. And when I see something I want, Miss Neville, I pursue it relentlessly.’

‘You make me sound like a military objective,’ she protested, an uncomfortable feeling of being hunted stealing over her.

‘Certainly an object I greatly desire to take,’ he said in a murmur. As her eyes widened at the possible double meaning of that phrase, he continued smoothly, ‘A diplomat can be as direct as a navy man, when the situation demands it. But you needn’t fear I mean to monopolise you…too much. Particularly after the sad summer just passed, this Season should be for you to enjoy the entertainments and revel in the adulation you are sure to excite among society. Time enough later to concern yourself with more weighty matters. As long as I am one of those escorts who see to your entertainment, I shall be content…for now.’

Did he mean what she thought? she wondered, both gratified and perplexed. That though his intentions were serious, he would allow her time to enjoy herself before he pressed his suit?

She could not help but also notice his slight emphasis on the nautical, as if he were remembering without pleasure his unsuccessful verbal skirmish with Greville Anders.

A slight smile lifted her lips as she recalled it, too. While remaining perfectly polite, how cleverly Greville had deflected Trowbridge’s assault!

‘Why not begin at once?’ he said, jolting her back to the present. ‘I’d be happy to escort you and Lady Parnell to the theatre tomorrow night; there’s a particularly amusing comedy at the Theatre Royal.

She had to laugh. ‘For a gentleman who does not mean to monopolise me, you are certainly getting off to a quick start!’

‘I did warn you I’m very determined. As I’m sure Lady Parnell has told you, the theatre is the place to see and be seen. If you accompany me tomorrow, Lady Parnell and I could point out influential members of society and tutor you on their background and interests, before you end up seated beside them at dinner or partnered with them at a ball.’

‘An introduction before the introduction?’ she said, impressed both by his consideration—and his cleverness. ‘That would be helpful.’

He grinned. ‘I’ll settle for “helpful” now—and work my way towards “indispensable”.’

Before she could reprove that audacious remark, he said, ‘I see Mama nodding; it is time to depart.’ He gave her fingertips another kiss. ‘What time shall I call for you tomorrow?’

She shook her head at him. ‘As you very well know, I must first consult with Lady Parnell. I will send you a note.’

Unrepentant, he bowed to her. ‘I shall hope my luck is in, and I can escort you tomorrow. In any event, welcome to London, Miss Neville. I hope you will like it even half as much as it will adore you.’

After courtesies were exchanged and their callers departed, Amanda related Trowbridge’s invitation to Lady Parnell. ‘Obviously his lordship wants to steal a march on the other young men,’ her sponsor said, ‘but I’ve already committed us to attend a rout. Besides, it’s not a bad thing for you to be unavailable. To be sure, Trowbridge is eminently eligible, but I wish you to become acquainted with many gentlemen before I allow any particular one to press his suit.’

‘I would like to see more of London and society before I am pressed to bring some suitor up to snuff.’

‘Of course you do, and you will. The tragedies of the last few years have made you too serious; I mean to plunge you into such a whirlwind of frivolous activity that you forget your cares and become the carefree young girl I remember. There’ll be no shortage of offers when the time comes, and I have little doubt Lord Trowbridge’s will be among the first. I’ve known him since he was in short coats, and I’ve never seen him make such a dead-set at anyone. You must have impressed him indeed!’

‘Or the size of my dowry did,’ Amanda replied drily.

Lady Parnell waved a dismissive hand. ‘Naturally Trowbridge is interested in your dowry; a young man intent on a career in government must entertain, and, praise God, it will be years before he inherits. But you must not belittle the attractions of your person and lineage. So, what do you think of Trowbridge?’

Amanda shrugged. ‘How could any girl not be flattered by the attentions of such a well-born, well-spoken and handsome young man? I’m quite happy to get to know him better. In many respects, he seems almost ideal.’

Except you feel no automatic pull to him, nor does he spark in you the immediate physical response Greville Anders does.

‘I think so, too,’ Lady Parnell was saying. ‘Society boasts many attractive gentlemen, some with forms more attractive than their prospects. In addition to his handsome face, Trowbridge has an excellent future and a sterling character that makes him admired by all of society. Marry him and you will achieve your mama’s fondest hopes!’

‘Believe me, I have no intention of throwing away my dowry or my person on some unsuitable gentleman, simply because I’ve conceived a sudden violent passion for a handsome face.’ She ignored the acerbic voice reminding her how close, during her indiscretion in the Neville Tour, she’d come to doing just that.

She’d be more circumspect in future. Starting with Lord Trowbridge. Although observing the proprieties would be easier with the earl’s son, for whom she felt none of the fluttery excitement and stirring of the pulses Greville Anders’s nearness inspired in her.