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The similarity in appearance between Selina and her brother was striking. They were both golden haired and hazel eyed.

“Your Graces and My Lord,” Lord Windermere said, bowing to him and his mother respectfully.

“My Lord,” Jasper replied, bowing back. “How was your journey?”

“Uneventful,” he said. “Just as I prefer it.” He grinned.

“Good. Good to hear.”

“And how are you enjoying Gillingham County so far, My Lord?” the Dowager Duchess asked.

Selina’s brother smiled at the Dowager Duchess. “It suits me just fine, Your Grace.”

The Mortons entered, just then, and the introductions were spread around. Lord and Lady Kirby entered the room, along with Lord Langley, who was accompanied by his eldest daughter, Lady Ella.

The party was shuffled around, and Jasper found that Lord Windermere had maneuvered himself to stand beside him. The two gentlemen were conveniently out of earshot from anyone else.

“My sister has told me something interesting, Your Grace,” Lord Windermere said.

“I’m sure, My Lord.”

“I’d like to speak with you plainly. In private,” he went on. “Can that be arranged?”

“Would you care to go fishing with me tomorrow?” Jasper suggested. It was the one endeavor that he knew that Lady Leah would never attempt to join in on. “The lake at Gillingham Manor is quite well-stocked.”

“Wonderful,” Lord Windermere said, nodding. “Although, I’m sure that my uncle would agree that it’s much better to do so at Kirby Hall’s lake, as it’s in sight of the house. My sister will likely want to tag along.”

“As you wish, My Lord.”

“Capital.”

Jasper glanced across the room, where Selina was eying them both. He smiled at her; she relaxed, blushed a little, then turned her face to Lady Morton, with whom she was conversing.

* * *

It made her nervous; the two most important gentlemen in her life were standing side by side for the first time. However, they were talking amicably, and she felt that they were getting along. She excused herself from Lady Morton, to go and see how they were getting on.

“What are the two of you discussing?” she asked as she neared them.

“Fishing,” her brother said. “Would you care to join us on the morrow?” She saw how he was engineering a time and place to have a true discussion on how they were all to move forward.

“Where are you going?” Leah asked, cutting in.

“Fishing, at the lake, My Lady,” Jasper said.

“Oh,” Leah replied, clearly disappointed.

“Care to join us, My Lady?” Thomas asked.

“No. I’ll leave it to you gentlemen. It’s far too dirty for my taste,” she replied, turning away.

The three of them shared a conspiratorial look.

“That was close,” Thomas whispered. Selina shot him a look. He was a bit of a snob, and loved it when they were, as he called it, “sneaking about.”

* * *

“So,” Lord Windermere turned to Jasper. “I’ve heard that there’s been a crime spree in the area.”

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