Whirlwind Wedding

comings and goings of London's finest. I love her dearly, but after five minutes of such conversation, I fear I develop a bit of a deaf ear.'

'I see. Tell me more about this, er, vision you had of William.'

'I saw a young man wearing a military uniform. He was injured, but alive. I only know his name was William, and he was important to you.' She turned troubled eyes to him. 'You believe he is dead, but he is not. I'm sure of it.'

'You make this outlandish claim, yet you offer no proof.'

'No… at least not yet.'

'Meaning?'

'If we spend some time together, I might be able to tell you more. My visions are erratic and usually nothing more than flashes, but they normally occur when I'm touching something, most often a person's hands.'

He raised his brows. 'So you're saying that if we sit about holding hands, you might be able to see something more.'

Her eyes clouded at his sarcastic remark. 'I understand your skepticism, and for that reason I normally do not reveal my premonitions.'

'Yet you revealed this one.'

'Yes. Because the last time I remained silent it cost me dearly.' She frowned. 'Are you not pleased to know your brother is alive?'

'What I know is that my brother is dead. And I won't have you mentioning this vision nonsense to anyone else, most especially my mother or sister. It would be unspeakably cruel to offer them hope where none exists. Do you understand?'

She gazed at him steadily for several heartbeats. There was no mistaking the steely menace in his tone. 'I shall respect your wishes, your grace. As you know, my aunt and I will be your houseguests for the next several weeks. If you change your mind and would like me to try to help you, I will not be hard to find. I'm very tired and wish to retire now. Good night, your grace.'

He watched her climb the steps to the guest chambers.

Oh, you'll help me, Miss Matthews. If you know anything about William, you won't have a choice.

It took Austin several minutes to locate Miles Avery in the crowded ballroom. When he finally spotted his friend, he wasn't surprised to see the dashing earl surrounded by a bevy of ladies. Damn it, he hoped he wouldn't have to drag Miles by the hair to wrest him away from his adoring audience.

He was saved from that unpleasantness, however, when Miles spotted Austin bearing down on him. Leveling a pointed look at his friend, Austin jerked his head toward the corridor leading to his private study, then made his way to the room, confident Miles would arrive close behind him. After more than two decades of friendship, they understood each other well.

He'd barely finished pouring two brandies when a discreet knock sounded on the door.

'Come in.'

Miles entered the room, closing the door behind him. A crooked smile curved his lips. 'It's about time you resurfaced. I've been looking for you everywhere. Where were you hiding yourself?'

'I took a stroll in the garden.'

'Oh? Were you admiring the flowers?' Miles's eyes danced with mischief. 'Or were you perhaps partaking of nature's delights in some other… oh, shall we say, lusty way?'

'Neither. I simply took myself off in search of some peace and quiet.'

'And was your search successful?'

An image of Miss Matthews flashed in his mind. 'I'm afraid not. Why were you looking for me?'

The teasing gleam lighting Miles's eyes grew more pronounced. 'To give you a piece of my mind. What sort of friend are you, deserting me in such a manner? You hardly ever attend parties and suffer your portion of the wedding-minded virgins who pursue us, and even when the ball is in your own home, you're nowhere to be found. Lady Digby and her numerous daughters trapped me behind a potted palm. Thanks to your departure, she foisted the chits on me. They're all cabbage-headed nincompoops and horrid dancers as well. My poor abused toes will never be the same.'

With a perfectly straight face, Miles went on, 'Of course that group you summoned me away from just now appeared much more promising. The ladies were all but hanging on my every word. Do you see the pearls of wisdom dripping from my lips?'

Austin regarded him over the rim of his snifter. 'I cannot fathom why you find the false adoration of brainless twits so diverting. Don't you ever grow tired of it?'

'Of course. You know how I utterly detest it when beautiful, nubile females with ripe, lush curves throw themselves at me. I shudder with horror every time.' Miles was about to sip his brandy, but his hand arrested halfway to his lips. 'I say, Austin. Are you all right? You look, well, rather peaked.'

'Thank you, Miles. Your kind words never fail to warm my heart.' He took a long swallow of brandy, searching for the right words. 'To answer your question, I'm a bit unsettled. Something has happened and I need a favor.'

The humor instantly vanished from Miles's eyes. 'You know you have only to ask.'

A pent-up breath he hadn't realized he held escaped Austin. Of course he could count on Miles, just as he'd always been able to. The fact that he kept secrets from this man who'd been his closest friend since childhood filled him with guilt. It's for his own good and protection that he not know the circumstances surrounding William's war activities. 'I need some discreet inquiries made.'

Interest kindled in Miles's intelligent ebony eyes. 'Regarding what?'

'A certain young woman.'

'Ah. I see. Looking to hang yourself in the matrimonial noose?' Before Austin could correct him, Miles plunged on. 'Can't say I envy you. There's not a woman alive I'd care to see across the dinner table every day. The very words Till death do you part send chills of horror down my spine. But I suppose you must do your duty to the title and you're not getting any younger. I thank God every day my cousin Gerald can inherit the earldom from me. Of course, Robert can inherit the dukedom, but we both know your younger brother wants the title as much as he'd relish the pox. In fact-'

'Miles.' The single brusque syllable halted the flow of words.

'Yes?'

'Not that sort of young lady.'

A knowing grin touched Miles's lips. 'Aha. Say no more. You need information regarding someone who is… less than suitable. I understand.' He tossed a broad wink at Austin. 'Those are the most fun.'

Frustration welled up and Austin fought to keep his temper in check. 'The young lady I wish to know about is a Miss Elizabeth Matthews.'

Miles's brows rose. 'Lady Penbroke's American niece?'

Austin schooled his features into a blandness he did not feel. 'You've met her?'

'On several occasions. Unlike some unsociable sorts we know, I attended dozens of balls this Season-balls Lady Penbroke and Miss Matthews attended. In fact, Miss Matthews is here this evening. Do you wish me to introduce you?'

'We met, earlier, in the garden.'

'I see.' Although a dozen questions clearly flashed in Miles's eyes, he merely asked 'What do you want to know about her?'

Everything. 'As you've met her, tell me your impressions.'

Miles took his time before answering, settling himself in an overstuffed wing chair by the fireplace, then swirling his brandy in his snifter with a leisure that had Austin gritting his teeth with impatience.

'I think,' Miles finally said, 'that she is a fine young woman, intelligent, with a clever wit. Unfortunately, she's somewhat awkward in social situations, tongue-tied and shy one moment, outspoken the next. In truth I thought her rather a breath of fresh air, but based on the gossip I hear, I possibly stand alone in that opinion.'

'What gossip? Anything scandalous?'

Miles waved his hand in dismissal. 'No, nothing of that sort. Indeed I don't see how the woman could find