Rather surprisingly, the earl released the man hastily, as if the fabric of Kirkwood’s evening coat burned. A flush suffused his skin but he maintained his composure. ‘You know we cannot talk here,’ he said shortly.

The man considered this for a moment, then inclined his head in acknowledgement. ‘As you say.’ He glanced back at his fascinated audience. ‘Ladies, I leave you with regret. Especially,’ he added, with a final look at Audrey, ‘you. It has been a singular pleasure.’

Once again there was that undercurrent of awareness, of something dark and compelling that sent a shiver through her. Really, she thought with some indignation, the man is a menace! I am inclined to think I should slap his face because he clearly deserves just such a set down. And because he had made her feel an awareness of him as a man – a virile, attractive man – in a way no other gentleman of her acquaintance had ever managed.

They watched in silence as Lord Allingham and Mr. Kirkwood walked away, Kirkwood tall and imperturbable, the earl clearly agitated.

‘Well,’ Isabella said after a moment, ‘that was most peculiar. Do we know anything of this brother?’

‘I cannot say I do,’ Lady Hathaway said, frowning a little. ‘What an odd man. Has Allingham mentioned anything of his brother, Audrey?’

‘Nothing at all. I did not know that Allingham had a brother until Charlotte Bennett mentioned it yesterday,’ Audrey muttered. ‘The earl has mentioned his family, of course, but he never once mentioned Mr. Kirkwood.’

‘Black sheep?’ Isabella mused. ‘Yes, I believe we have met the one relative that the poor man is not willing to lay claim to. He cannot be younger than Allingham, I refuse to believe it. Which must mean…’

Audrey glanced at her sister inquiringly. ‘Well?’

Isabella shrugged. ‘Illegitimate, I suppose.’

Audrey’s eyes widened but it certainly seemed like the only explanation. ‘They obviously did not seem to care for each other,’ she muttered. ‘Mama? What do you think?’

‘I think that we must not leap to conclusions about Allingham’s family,’ her mother returned quietly. ‘Rather than speculate, let his lordship tell you what the situation is in his own time. If he has been reticent, that is hardly to be wondered at. It is a delicate subject.’

‘I suppose it is. It would have been quite the scandal, would it not?’ Isabella said thoughtfully. ‘Although I have not heard a whisper about it.’

‘We do not move about in the same circles,’ Lady Hathaway shook her head. ‘And we are not seasoned visitors to town, my dears. Much of the gossip undoubtedly passes us by. If Mr. Kirkwood is indeed from another – ah – relationship, they probably feel uncomfortable discussing it, although such instances are quite common, I believe. If Audrey does become attached to the family I am sure that Mr. Kirkwood’s story will become known to us all.’

‘I don’t think I want to become familiar with his story,’ Audrey returned wryly. ‘He strikes me as a being singularly arrogant and far too forward in his behavior.’

‘He certainly did not seem to suffer from an excess of reserve,’ Isabella agreed with a grin. ‘In fact, he looked very much as if he might eat you, Audrey dear. If you do form a connection with the family I should think you would have to look out for that one. He must cause quite a stir. Having met several of Lord Allingham’s family, I am inclined to think that they appear to be a very staid family. A man like Mr. Kirkwood would rather stand out. That man was assuredly not staid.’ She caught sight of Harry coming towards them and her face lit up. ‘Oh look, here comes Harry.’

‘I suppose it is not at all surprising that Allingham didn’t mention he had a brother if that was the brother in question,’ Audrey murmured thoughtfully, remember those hot eyes and how they had raked over her, warm and impertinent. ‘He has only ever mentioned his sister Constance.’

‘Kirkwood is obviously the sort of fellow who does all the wicked things the other members of the family only dream about,’ Isabella grinned. ‘Heavens, can you imagine Judith Allingham dealing with such a fellow? She is so straight-laced. Not that we should blame her. We all have things we do not like to mention, do we not? Look at Harry, inheriting all that money from his uncle’s business dealings. As if it matters where money comes from. I daresay the butcher and the grocer are not particular about the origins of the money that pays them. And only look at dearest Johanna’s delightful grandmamma. Can you imagine what Almack’s would make of Mrs. Howeth?’

‘She’s a wonderful woman,’ Lady Hathaway said firmly. ‘Indeed, I think the place would be considerably enlivened if she were here.’

‘Oh, no doubt. But we both know she would never be able to obtain a voucher, for I doubt the patronesses would appreciate her intelligence or her kindness. Instead they would look no further than her accent. Mr. Kirkwood is clearly a rake. Quite a good one, I should imagine if that wicked glint in his eye is anything to go by,’ Isabella drew her eyes away from the approaching figure of her husband to give Audrey a look. ‘It seems obvious that poor Allingham would like to hide the existence of the fellow from you because he is embarrassed by the relationship. He had a rather foreign look, didn’t you think? Perhaps his mother was a French courtesan. Apparently they are terribly fashionable.’

‘Isabella!’ Lady Hathaway said, more exasperated than shocked.

‘Well it is true enough, after all. If one’s mistress is from France or Spain, one is completely de rigueur.’

Audrey’s lips twitched. ‘And you know this, how? My dear sister, have you been researching the subject? Are you planning on increasing Harry’s cachet by setting him up with a fancy lady?’

Isabella bared small, white teeth. ‘The day Harry looks at a fancy lady is the last day he shall possess two eyes!’

Harry, joining them at this moment, looked at his wife quizzically. ‘Are you taking my name in vain?’

‘No,’ she said firmly, tucking her hand into the crook of his arms. ‘We have been gossiping shamelessly. I trust this appearance means you are going to dance with me? For I am feeling dreadfully neglected.’

‘Now that, my love, is a disaster!’ And without further ado, Harry Carstairs guided his wife onto the dance floor and swept her into his arms.

‘What the devil are you doing here?’ The words burst out of Roderick Allingham as soon as they were out of earshot of the crowds.

Darius Kirkwood raised one dark brow. ‘I have come to wish you happy birthday, brother. Why else would I be here? That girl… Audrey? Is she the one that I have heard of?’

‘What do you mean?’ There was no mistaking the suspicion in his brother’s voice. ‘What have you heard?’

‘That you intend to wed,’ Darius said with weary patience. ‘Is it true or just another round of dreary gossip? Is she the one you’ve selected?’

‘What if she is?’

‘Dear God, you can be tiresome, Roddy. I am merely asking. She seems entirely suitable.’

‘She’s delightful,’ Roddy admitted, his face softening despite himself. ‘Quite marvelous in every way.’

‘Sink me, but the boy is moonstruck,’ Darius said dryly. ‘How fortunate that you found such a paragon. Have you offered for her yet?’

‘Not yet. Mama isn’t entirely sure that she is suitable -’

‘You cannot let your mother dominate your life.’ There was an edge to Darius Kirkwood’s voice now. ‘God knows, she’s been pulling the strings with you and Constance for years but enough is enough. Why the devil did you let your sister marry Greely, incidentally?’

The earl scowled. ‘She was perfectly happy with the match.’

‘I doubt that Constance was perfectly happy although I’m sure it pleased Judith well enough. The man was twenty years older than her and all the world knows he drank like a fish.’