Seduction in Mind

liked Penelope's blond hair.'

'Well, that's over with,' Marcus said with feeling, the years of Penelope's presence in the family still a highly explosive subject.

'And now I'm depending on you and your boys to keep the title in the family.'

'Surely you'll marry again someday.'

Sam shrugged. 'I doubt it. Although…'

Marcus smiled. 'Does your 'although' pertain to Miss Ionides? Everyone saw you at Ascot and then not again last night.'

Sam grimaced. 'My Lord, this town is small.'

'And you have a high profile for your-dare I say-profligacies? '

'They're no secret.' The viscount's mouth curved faintly. 'But Alex is very nice-very nice indeed.'

'When will you be seeing her again?'

Sam shrugged. 'Who knows?'

His brother scrutinized him for a moment. 'Do I detect a female who isn't in hot pursuit?'

'We just politely said good-bye.'

'For which you're no doubt grateful.'

'Mostly.'

'But not completely.'

'Apparently, she's as casual as I about friendships.'

'No, she isn't. No one's as casual about 'friendships,' as you so euphemistically put it, save you. Evelina knows Miss Ionides and likes her. In fact'-he pursed his mouth-'I think she's a member of Evelina's reading group.'

'You don't say?' Sam slid up from his lounging sprawl. 'Perhaps I'll come to the house to play golf with the boys after all.'

'Don't forget Hedy will be there.'

'But more important, so might Miss Ionides.'

'How important?' Marcus asked, enjoying the spectacle of his prodigal brother intrigued enough by a woman to brave an afternoon of female readings. Sam grinned. 'Tell Evie to set another place for lunch.'

Chapter Sixteen

'Look what Sam brought us, Mama!' Six-year-old Jeremy Lennox waved his new golf club in a wide arc over his head, narrowly missing the Meissen shepherdess group on the drawing room table.

'And me too, Mama!' his four-year-old brother screamed, running in behind Jeremy, his club held high. 'We been shooting golfs all morning.'

The ladies sitting in a group around the tea table reacted in a variety of ways. Those who had children of their own smiled in understanding. Hedy Alworth drew back in distaste. Mariana Monteque said, 'Not shooting golfs, playing golf, young Benjamin,' because she ran a seminary for young ladies and prided herself on her scholarship. Alex smiled and held out her hand. 'Show me your new clubs. I love golf.'

'See!' Ben shrieked, smashing his club against the carpet. 'It won't break no matter what!'

'They're from Watson's and made for us,' the elder brother said, politely offering his club to Alex.

'He makes the very best, doesn't he?' Alex balanced the weight in her hand. 'I think that might work for me.'

'You could try our putting green in back.' Jeremy spoke with a grown-up seriousness. He glanced at his mother. 'Couldn't she, Mama?'

'Of course. Feel free, Alex. Perhaps after lunch,' Evelina offered. 'Now, you boys run along and wash your hands, because lunch will be served soon and you and your papa are going to join us.'

'And Sam too!' Ben piped up. 'He's sitting by me!' he proudly proclaimed.

As the boys ran from the room, Hedy Alworth leaned forward in her chair. 'Sam is here?' she asked Evelina.

'Yes, he's been helping the boys with their golf this morning.'

Alex could feel her cheeks become warm and eased back into her chair so no one would notice. But as quickly, she reminded herself that she was bound to meet Ranelagh on more than one social occasion and she would have to respond with suitable composure-not like some young girl just out of the schoolroom.

'Why didn't you say he was coming?' Hedy complained. 'I would have worn something more fashionable.'

'I'm sure your gown is quite lovely enough, Hedy,' Evelina replied graciously. 'And Marcus didn't mention Sam was coming over until this morning.'

'Ranelagh's always had a tendre for me.' Hedy touched her blond curls with a coquettish gesture.

'You and a thousand others,' Susannah Dudley noted dryly.

'Well, he never looked at you at all.'

Unlike Hedy, Susannah knew better than to throw herself at someone like Sam Lennox. She'd selected her husband for his wealth rather than his looks. 'I'm happily married, Hedy.'

Hedy sniffed and Evelina said diplomatically, 'I'm sure lunch is nearly ready. Why don't we move into the dining room.' Susannah and Hedy both considered themselves great beauties and their bickering rivalry could be trying. 'And we have to decide what we're going to read for next week,' she added, rising from her chair. 'What does everyone think of Dostoyevsky's new Diary of a Writer?'

As the ladies moved down the corridor, they discussed various books while Alex wondered how she was going to deal with the sight of Ranelagh in so public a venue.

After last night.

A shiver raced down her spine at the recall of their heated passion.

But she forced her thoughts onto more temperate ground; it would never do to appear wistful or yearning or in full chase like Hedy. Ranelagh had enough females pursuing him. She had no wish to be added to those numbers.

She took a steadying breath, however, before entering the dining room. She experienced a moment of relief when she found the room unoccupied save for the servants. Maybe he wouldn't appear after all. And the quiver in the pit of her stomach would go away.

'We're informal, as you know,' Evelina remarked, ushering her guests toward the table. 'Please sit where you like.' She waved toward one end of the table. 'We'll save those chairs for the men.'

Hedy insisted on taking her seat closest to the indicated chairs, as did Mariana Monteque, Alex noted with some surprise. Mariana wasn't a young woman, although the designation spinster had always annoyed Alex. It seemed an unfair label. Why shouldn't Mariana have an interest in Ranelagh if she wished, Alex charitably reflected. Surely she had as good a claim on him as anyone.

When the men and boys arrived, Sam and his brother greeted everyone in a general salutation and then seated themselves with a casualness that calmed Alex's apprehensions. Ranelagh had set the tone; surely she could be as blase.

As it turned out, Mariana and Sam were friends of long standing, their common interest a marked enthusiasm for golf. Much to Hedy's annoyance, Sam and Mariana spent a considerable time discussing the game.

Sam was equally gracious to his nephews, who obviously worshiped him, Alex observed, surreptitiously watching their easy companionship. Who would have thought London's most celebrated libertine would turn out to be so warm-hearted toward children?

Of course, she'd had her own heady experience with his kindness.

He was the most unselfish of lovers.

'Really, Mariana!' Hedy exclaimed as dessert was being served, vexed at being so long ignored by the object of her pursuit. 'You have completely monopolized Lord Ranelagh. There are those of us who have things to discuss with him as well!'

'Forgive us.' Sam smiled politely. 'Mariana's a better golfer than I, and I can always use some instruction.'