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“Why didn’t you want a chaperone, Lydia?” he asked.

“It wasn’t because I intended to kiss men in dark corners.” She gave him a faint smile. “I wanted to be with you, Giles. You’re the only family I have, the only person who is truly related to me by blood. When I marry and move away, I’ll rarely see you, will I? Perhaps at Christmas, or for a fleeting visit when Parliament isn’t in session. I wanted to be with you.”

Remorse slugged Giles so hard that he might as well have taken a blow. “I’m sorry, Lydia.”

“Why should you want to be with me?” she said, shrugging. “I am so much younger, and prone to crying. I’m not as intelligent as you. I tried reading The Times so we could discuss it at breakfast, but I could never think of anything to say.”

“I feel like a beast. A terrible brother.”

“I didn’t mean that!” Her eyes met his. “The world is so much more interesting than I am. By refusing a chaperone, I ensured that you had to spend time with me. If I hadn’t insisted on your company, you never would have met Lady Yasmin, so I am paid back for my selfishness.”

Giles found his voice. “Yasmin is not a terrible woman.”

“Neither was our mother. They are both selfish, lustful, and reckless.” She got up and left the room before Giles could protest.

Chapter Fifteen

Yasmin lay sleepless for most of the night, her body alternately raging with heat at certain memories and chilled with disgust at others. In the morning, she chose her clothing very carefully. She didn’t want to give Giles the slightest impression that she was interested in repeating that hurly-burly behavior.

She chose a promenade gown with a tight band under the breasts. Unlike her favorite evening gowns, the bodice had a ruff that left just enough space for a circlet of pearls around her neck. The matching spencer was crimson colored, fashioned in a military style, with fringed epaulets on the shoulders. The sleeves came to points on the backs of her hands, and the trim of her gown featured the same jagged points.

Just the sort of gown that Giles would prefer she wear, actually. Not a bit of skin showing.

“Very elegant,” her grandfather approved, as she walked into the breakfast chamber.

“Thank you, Your Grace,” she said, allowing their butler to usher her to her seat.

“I trust your hat has a plume or two?”

“Three,” Yasmin said, smiling at his enthusiasm. “It stands like a striped box on my head, and the three plumes nod to the right.”

“Excellent. I do not approve of Quakerish simplicity in ladies’ dress. I prefer feathers and jewels.” He raised a languid hand. Carson turned to the sideboard, picked up a velvet box, and handed it to him.

“Grandfather,” Yasmin exclaimed.

“You are about to entertain an offer of marriage from an earl,” the duke remarked.

“How did you know that?” she asked. “I am about to refuse an offer of marriage from that earl, Grandfather.”

“Lilford paid me a visit last night to ask for my permission. Very proper of him. Your response is up to you, of course. Yet you must be attired to your station, Yasmin. Let the earl know what he missed by failing to persuade you of his virtues.”

The duke flipped open the top of the jewelry box to reveal a large sapphire hung from a string of smaller stones. “All sapphires,” he said, taking out the necklace and handing it to Yasmin.

It was an exquisite piece, even the smaller jewels delicately cut.

“Belonged to my mother,” her grandfather said. “I remember the queen herself praising it. My mother didn’t offer it to Her Majesty, as perhaps she ought to have done under those circumstances. Yet as Her Grace commented on the way home, the queen had a treasure trove and no need for our sapphires.”

“It’s beautiful,” Yasmin breathed. “I love the necklace, Grandfather.”

“Then put it on.” He took up his fork again. “I can’t bear to see any woman past the age of twenty in pearls.”

Yasmin winced. He didn’t mean to remind her of her advanced age, but he was likely right. A moment later, the sapphire slid between her breasts and settled in just the right place.

Carson picked up the string of pearls she had set aside. “I shall have these returned to your chamber, my lady.”

“That necklace looks as if it’d been made for you,” her grandfather commented. “I gather from your attire that you will be going for a drive, rather than welcoming the earl in the drawing room?”

“I am,” she affirmed.