And, with that, Vivi had redirected everyone’s attention away from Alex and Stanhope, who were now left alone on their patch of linen. Nick noticed and said with a mock threat in his voice, “I’ve got my eye on you, Stanhope…Remember, you flirt with my only sister.”

Stanhope nodded at Nick with feigned seriousness and replied, “I wouldn’t dare be inappropriate, Lord Farrow.”

His use of Nick’s seldom used title amused the group, and he turned a wide grin on Alex as laughter floated across the green.

“Your reputation is quite impressive, my lord,” Alex spoke quietly, referencing Nick’s jest, her tone half teasing. “I confess, growing up with you, I wouldn’t have expected it.”

“I could play as though I do not understand your inference, my lady, but that would be a silly pretense. I assume you’re referring to my notoriety as a rake? You shouldn’t believe everything you hear gossiped about in ballrooms.”

“Oh, no need to worry, my lord. I don’t.”

“No?”

“Not remotely. Considering my memories of you from our shared childhood, I find it quite difficult to believe you a danger either to me or to my reputation.”

He chuckled and replied quietly, “Be careful, my lady. There’s a fine line between complimenting a gentleman and wounding his ego.”

Impishly, she smiled up at him. “My apologies, Lord Stanhope. Of course, I meant that I don’t believe you pose a threat to either my reputation or to me at this particular moment. I would certainly think twice before allowing you the chance to escort me somewhere where your notorious wickedness could be unleashed, however.”

With a loud laugh that caused the other four members of their party to look over, he flashed her an admiring glance. “Much better, and exactly what I imagine the elderly ladies of the ton would want you to think. After all, if the rumors are to be believed, I eat young ladies fresh on the marriage mart for breakfast.”

“Ah, well, then, I am safe from you. I am not ‘on the marriage mart.’”

“Oh, you aren’t?” His reply was laced with interest.

She shook her head with a smile, “No. I’m not. I’m not interested in marriage.”

One of his eyebrows cocked. “You’re not?”

“No. When you were seventeen, were you thinking about marriage?”

His response was filled with humor. “Certainly not.”

“Aha!” She pointed at him with emphasis. “You see? That answer proves my point! You think it’s completely unfathomable that a boy of seventeen even think about marriage!”

“Yes. I do.”

“So why should I be thinking about it?”

“An excellent question.”

His frank response surprised her and she pulled back to assess him. “You really mean that.”

“To be sure. I’ve never understood the expectation that women and men should adhere to different rules and protocols when it comes to courtship and marriage. I say, stay unattached as long as you like. From the marriages I’ve witnessed in the course of my life, the institution isn’t quite what it’s cracked up to be anyway.” Leaning closer, he wriggled his eyebrows in mock villainy and continued, “I shouldn’t like to see you married off too soon, anyway, my lady.”

The extreme flirtation inspired a burst of laughter from Alex, which forced Stanhope to chuckle himself and to offer, “Well, what did you expect? I have a reputation to keep up!”

Alex’s eyes twinkled with humor, and she grinned broadly. “Why, Frederick, Lord Stanhope. You’re a fraud!”

He leaned close to her ear and spoke in a voice too quiet to be overheard by their neighbors, “Shhh. Don’t let that get around. ’Twill ruin me.”

So thoroughly had Alex been enjoying their banter that she hadn’t noticed the approach of two newcomers to their idyllic afternoon. Looking up from Lord Stanhope, she noticed that they had arrived just as she had burst into laughter, and her humor died in her throat. There, standing at the edge of the linen square, gazing down with expressions that could only be described as, respectively, bored uninterest and supreme aggravation, were Penelope Grayson and Gavin, Lord Blackmoor.

From his place on the linen blanket, Lord Stanhope, curious about Alex’s sudden change in demeanor, followed the direction of her gaze and, as proper etiquette demanded, immediately stood to greet Penelope and Blackmoor, along with the already standing Nick and Kit. “Lady Penelope, as always, it is a pleasure to see you. You’ve only made this pleasant afternoon more lovely.”

One of Alex’s eyebrows shot up.

“Thank you, my lord. I admit that I was skeptical about a walk in the park. I prefer to ride, but the day is bright and sunny, if on the cool side. I hope I do not catch a chill.”

At this, Alex rolled her eyes, only to be caught by Blackmoor, whose gaze sharpened. Pretending not to notice, Alex smoothed her skirts and looked over at Ella, who had stopped sketching to send an Is she serious? look in Alex’s direction.

“You must join us!” Nick exclaimed. “What luck that we would meet!” With a resigned sigh, Alex stood to move closer to Ella—secretly afraid that the expanse of linen that had been unoccupied would be filled with the odious Penelope, and Alex would be forced to ruin a perfectly charming afternoon by interacting with the unpleasant young woman.

Before she could move, however, Blackmoor intercepted her, speaking quietly while bowing low over her hand. “Lady Alexandra, I trust that you don’t object to our company for the afternoon. I would hate to ruin your outing.” Their gazes met and Alex noted the warning in his grey eyes; she knew he was daring her to say something negative about his arrival with Penelope, and she stiffened, wishing she could wipe the expression from his face without causing a scene that would be discussed in London ballrooms for years. Of course, she didn’t. In a feat of good manners that rivaled those of Queen Charlotte herself, Alex plastered a smile on her lips and spoke brightly, albeit through her teeth, “Certainly not, my lord. I cannot think of two more welcome additions to our little gathering.” Removing her hand forcefully from his grasp, she continued, “I think I shall take a walk—I do so enjoy them…especially in the cool air.” Her remark, designed to underscore the ridiculousness of his companion, hit home and his eyes narrowed at her boldness.