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Morethan propositioned, in truth.

She’dpractically begged Fletcher to have his way with her at a country house party—the last he’d ever attended. She wouldn’t accept his refusal, and only approaching guests finally dissuaded her amorous attempts. He left the house party that night, convinced she’d have climbed into his bed in the wee morning hours had he not.

Lessthan a month later, her betrothal to Huxley appeared in the papers.

Siobhan’seyebrow shied upward, but she didn’t feign shock as a society miss would have done. “That ought to make things substantially easier.”

Butthen again, Fletcher wouldn’t have had this conversation with a haut ton member in her bedchamber, let alone ask her to flirt with a married man. He’d have been slapped and probably called out for his audacity.

“I was involved with an actress at the time and declined LadyHuxley’s invitation.”

Fletchermight be a confirmed bachelor and rakehell, but he was faithful to women while he courted them. Besides, Samantha’s desperation hinted at something ominous and unbalanced.

Thecynical look Siobhan leveled Fletcher fairly shouted she didn’t believe him. “With the club overrun with your men, how will you arrange a private tête-à-tête?”

Shouldhe tell her?

Yes. She would need to know.

“There are hidden, private passageways.”

“Oh.”

Sheleft it at that, and Fletcher was grateful.

Theyate in silence for several minutes before she set her fork down.

“I’m full to bursting.” Siobhan dabbed her mouth. “That was delicious. I must compliment Mrs. Dough.”

“You need to eat more.” Fletcher eyed her still almost full plate and barely touched custard pie.

Givinghim a starchy look, she shrugged.

“My stomach will only hold so much, Fletcher.”

Didshe even realize she’d fallen into addressing him by his given name?

Thatmight cause raised eyebrows amongst the other employees, but then again, everyone who worked for him knew his strict rule of keeping relationships at his businesses purely professional. “In time, with sufficient food, you shall be able to.”

Sheput a finger to her chin.

“AsI see it, Fletcher, there is one major flaw with your plan. Everyone knows you don’t permit your female staff to consort with guests other than respectable dancing and conversation. No one will believe you’ve suddenly changed your mind where I am concerned.”

Hewinked as he lifted a forkful of custard pie to his mouth. “I don’t recall saying you would attend as an employee.”

Thatgave her pause, and suspicion tightened the corners of her mouth and narrowed her eyes. “Pray explain yourself.”

“You shall be Darius’s widowed guest because widows don’t require chaperones and are granted leeway with decorum that a debutante would not.” He circled his fork in the air. “No one will think twice about a woman he’s escorting. It’s also helpful that Darius went to university with Huxley’s younger brother, so he acquainted with the viscount.”

Becausethe Westbrooks were so important.

Siobhanopened her mouth to object, but Fletcher held up his hand. “Darius has already agreed to the plan.”

Shakingher head, Siobhan placed her napkin on the table. “It won’t work. I am not refined enough to pass as a le beau monde member, and you’re forgetting my surname. Everyone at De la Chance knows it. Won’t your other employees think it peculiar?”

Ofcourse they would, but there was no help for it.

“Your surname presented a bit of a pickle until Darius suggested we change it to McKinney. As for the other staff, I’ll apprise them of the situation, and they shall play along. They are tired of looming danger too.”