“I pray you are behaving yourself, Mama.” To take the sting out of her gentle scolding, she leaned down and kissed the elderly woman’s cheek. Ellen straightened. “Good evening, Lord Ravens.” Her gaze switched to Lord Swainsbury. Unknowingly, her voice softened. “So we meet again, my lord.”

“Please, join us.” Lord Swainsbury stepped aside and offered his seat next to her mother. “You must be weary after Pountney’s long farewell.”

Lord Ravens snorted, but he swiftly bridled his amusement at his friend’s not-so-subtle insult. He sat down, and the earl mirrored his actions by selecting the chair closest to Ellen.

“What’s this about Lord Pountney?” Lady Netherley asked. “He’s such a sweet and attentive young man.”

Was the earl implying that she had slipped away in order to kiss Lord Pountney? “The viscount had no time for prolonged farewells,” Ellen said, her explanation directed at Lord Swainsbury. “I was detained by my brother and Frost in the library.”

His right brow lifted at the name. “Another suitor?”

“No, another annoying, overprotective brother,” she said, her tone revealing her fondness for the gentleman. “You probably have met his wife, Lady Chillingsworth.”

“Did something happen with Lord Pountney?” Lady Netherley inquired, sounding concerned. “And why on earth would Christopher and Frost escort you to the library when I distinctly told them to . . .”

“Told them what, Mama?” Ellen asked, when her mother did not finish her sentence. “Well, there is nothing to worry about. They wanted to ply me with brandy.”

“They did what?” exclaimed her mother.

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You can read the rest of the excerpt on my website.

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