Eugenia scowled. “You are so difficult.”

Sophie, who had been uncharacteristically silent, suddenly piped up. “I think you should leave him alone, Mother.”

“Thank you,” Alex said gratefully.

“After all, I don’t think she’d have him even if he asked.”

Alex bristled. Of course she’d— He smiled sweetly at his sister. “You’re trying to goad me.”

“Yes, I guess I am. Sisters are supposed to do that, you know.”

“It’s not working.”

“Really? I rather thought it worked beautifully. Your jaw clenched magnificently when I said she didn’t want you.”

“Ah, I do so adore my family,” Alex sighed.

“Cheer up, dear,” the dowager smiled. “We’re better than most, you know. Take my word for it.”

“I shall,” Alex said, leaning down to give her another affectionate peck on the cheek.

“Oh, look!” the dowager suddenly exclaimed, motioning toward the dance floor. “There is your friend Dunford dancing with Belle Blydon. Perhaps you should claim the next dance with her. She’s a sweet girl, and I wouldn’t want her to get upset if she’s left alone for the next dance.”

Alex eyed his mother suspiciously. “Lady Arabella rarely lacks admirers.”

“Yes, well, er, there’s always a first time, and I would so hate to see her feelings hurt.”

“You’re trying to get rid of me, aren’t you, Mother?”

“Yes, I am, and you’re making it exceedingly difficult.”

Alex sighed as he prepared to claim a dance with Belle. “Pray try not to plot my downfall in my absence.”

When Alex was safely out of earshot, Eugenia turned to her daughter and said, “Sophie, we must act decisively.”

“I agree completely,” Sophie replied. “Except that I’m not exactly sure what kind of decisive move we need to make.”

“I’ve given this matter considerable thought.”

“I’m sure you have,” Sophie murmured, her lips hinting at a smile.

Eugenia shot her a sharp look but ignored her statement. “I have concluded that what we need is a weekend in the country.”

“What are you going to do? Force Alex to accompany you to Westonbirt and torture him until he agrees to ask Emma to marry him?”

“Nonsense. We’ll ask the Blydons to join us. And of course we will insist that they bring their darling niece.”

“It’s brilliant!” Sophie exclaimed.

“And then we’ll contrive to leave them alone on every possible occasion.”

“Exactly. We’ll encourage them to go on picnics together, take rides in the woods—that sort of thing.” Sophie paused for a moment, pursing her lips in thought. “Alex will see through it, of course.”

“Of course.”

“But I don’t think it will matter. He’s so besotted with her, he’ll do anything to get her alone—even if that means going along with your less-than-subtle schemes.”

“Maybe he will just take the initiative and compromise her.” Eugenia clapped her hands together in glee over that possibility.

“Mother!” Sophie exclaimed. “I cannot believe you said that. I can’t believe you even thought it.”

Eugenia sighed the sigh of weary mothers. “In my advanced years I find less and less of a need for scruples of any kind. Besides, for all his rakish ways, Alex is a man of honor.”

“Yes, of course. He’s only nine and twenty. I would imagine he still has a few scruples left.”

Eugenia’s green eyes narrowed. “Are you poking fun at me?”

“Absolutely.”

“Hmmph. I hope you’re enjoying yourself.”

Sophie nodded enthusiastically.

“What I was trying to say,” Eugenia continued; “is that if Alex happened to compromise our Miss Dunster in some way—”

“Ravish her, you mean,” Sophie interrupted.

“Whatever you want to call it, but if such an event were to happen in the, er, heat of passion— you must agree that he would feel honor-bound to marry her afterward.”

“Isn’t this a rather drastic way of getting your son married off?” Sophie asked, still unable to believe that she was discussing such delicate matters with her mother. “And what about Emma? She might not be exactly thrilled about getting compromised, you know.”

Eugenia looked her daughter straight in the eye. “Do you like Emma?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Do you want Alex to marry her?”

“Of course I do. I would love to have Emma as a sister-in-law.”

“Can you think of a woman who would make your brother happier?”

“Well, no, not really.”

Eugenia shrugged her shoulders. “The end justifies the means, my dear, the end justifies the means.”

“I cannot believe what a strategist you’ve become,” Sophie said in a hushed whisper. “And furthermore, you can’t even be certain that he’ll compromise her!”

Eugenia’s expression was smug. “He will certainly try.”

“Mother!”

“Well, he will. I’m sure of it. I know a rake when I see one, even if he is my own son. Especially if he’s my own son.” Eugenia turned to Sophie with a knowing smile. “He’s a lot like his father, you know.”

“Mother!”

Her smile widened as she lost herself in memories. “Alex was born only seven months after our wedding. Your father was quite a lover.”