males or those much
older than herself. She probably viewed such men as harmless.
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He regretted he did not dare risk asking her out onto the floor. It would be interesting to see if she
followed him there as easily as she had followed him into the card room. But he was not certain how well
she would tolerate the lack of grace in his damned left leg, and at this juncture he could not take any
chances. He sensed no streak of cruelty in her, though. She definitely had a temper, but he knew she
would not stoop to insults or cutting remarks about his limp.
Nevertheless she might very well tread quite forcefully on his toes if he managed to goad her as he had in
the card room. The image made Lucas smile.
"It was quite outrageous of her to accompany you into the card room, ofcourse," Lady Atherton said.
"But, then, I fear that is our Miss Huntington. She does have a tendency to come very close to the edge
of what is considered proper. But under a husband's guidance, I am certain that regrettable element of
her nature could be controlled."
"An interesting notion."
"And she does have a noticeable predilection for that rather overbright shade of yellow," Lady Atherton
added.
"It's clear Miss Huntington has a mind and a will of her own. But I must allow that the yellow looks
attractive on her. Not many women could wear it successfully."
Lucas studiedVictoria 's tall, willowy figure in the high-waisted gown. The yellow silk was a ray of
honeyed sunlight in the crowded room. It gleamed with a warm richness amid the array of classical white
and watery pastels.
The only real problem with the gown as far as he was concerned was that the bodice was cut far too
low. It revealed entirely too much of the gentle, high slopes ofVictoria 's breasts. Lucas had an almost
irresistible urge to borrow some matron's shawl and wrap it firmly aroundVictoria 's upper torso. Such an
impulse was so out of character for him that he was momentarily astonished.
"I fear she has a reputation for being something of an Original. Her aunt's doing, no doubt. Cleo
Nettleship is most unusual in her own right," Lady Atherton said.
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"I would much prefer a lady who is out of the common run. Makes for more interesting conversation,
wouldn't you say? One way or another, I suspect I shall have to endure a good many conversations with
the woman I eventually marry. No getting around it."
Jessica sighed softly. "Tis unfortunate, but there simply is not a large selection of heiresses around this
Season. But, then, there rarely is. However, there is still Miss Pilkington. You really should meet her
before you make up your mind, Lucas. I vow she is a very admirable female. Always perfectly correct in
her behavior, whereas, I fear, Miss Huntington has a certain tendency to be somewhat headstrong."
" Never mind Miss Pilkington. I'm quite content with Miss Huntington."
"If only she weren't very nearly five and twenty. Miss Pilkington is only nineteen. Younger women tend
to be more amenable to a husband's influence, Lucas."
"Jessica, please believe me when I tell you Miss Huntington's age is not a problem."
"You are quite certain?" Lady Atherton eyed him uneasily.
"I would far rather deal with a woman of a certain age who knows what she's about than a young chit
straight out of the schoolroom. And I would have to say that Miss Huntington does, indeed, knows what
she is about."
"You mean because she has managed to stay single so long? You are probably right. She's made it very
clear she has no interest whatsoever in turning over her inheritance to a husband. Everyone but the most
desperate of fortune hunters has quite given up on her."
Stonevale flashed a crooked smile. "Which narrows the field for me."
"Don't misunderstand me. She is an engaging creature, rather