"If you don't mind my impertinence," Lawrence said a moment later, "why are you here, Lady Thalia?"

"Because she insisted on coming with me. She was curious to see the inside of a gaol." Leo crossed his arms and shot her a look. "If I am not mistaken, her curiosity has been satisfied." He met her gaze with a wry challenge. "Unless you would like to go up the street and visit Newgate before we return home?"

Her mouth tightened with annoyance over his teasing, yet she couldn't repress a small shudder at the idea of his suggestion. "Thank you, no. The accommodations here have been more than illuminating."

Leo's lips twitched; then he laughed.

Lawrence joined him moments later.

They rolled to a stop in front of Leo and Lawrence's Cavendish Square town house roughly two hours later. Thalia was seated between the twins, the three of them tucked in as snugly as peas in a pod inside Leo's curricle.

In spite of her misgivings, she had accompanied the brothers to their home rather than insisting that they first drop her off at her own town house. She'd known that Lord Lawrence, regardless of his outwardly brave front, was in a great deal of pain. He was bruised and beaten, exhausted and filthy and, more than anything, in need of care and sleep. She and Leo would get his brother inside and make sure he had everything he required for his health and comfort.

Then Leo could drive her home.

Leo sprang down to the pavement first, then reached up to lift her out.

Lawrence waved off any a.s.sistance, climbing somewhat gingerly from the vehicle with a hand clutched against his obviously aching ribs. He looked up at the town house and sighed. "Thank G.o.d. It's good to be home."

"Don't thank G.o.d," Leo told him in an affable voice. "Thank me, since I'm the one who convinced the sheriff to drop the arrest charges against you."

"What I did was in self-defense-"

"Which I explained to him in some of my finest lawyerly exposition since taking part in mock trial proceedings."

"Was that before or after you bribed him?"

Leo shrugged. "We negotiated a rather generous settlement of cash for freedom. If you'd like, I can take you back, so you can argue the case before the judge. I'm sure it will only take three or four days for you to appear at the dock for trial."

"No, I'd rather go inside. Thanks, Leo."

Leo laid a hand on his shoulder. "Anytime. I know you'd do the same for me."

"I'd do anything for you. We're brothers."

"Brothers."

They shared a smile; then Leo turned and reached out a hand to Thalia. She took it and moved to accompany them into the house.

"Byron," a voice called, bringing them all to a halt again.

The twins turned at the same instant, the similarity of their movements almost uncanny.

The man strode closer, then stopped and looked at Lawrence. "Glad to see you made it back in one piece. If you hadn't turned up soon, I would have come looking. Some night, huh?"

"Yes, some night," Lawrence repeated.

This must be Northcote, Thalia realized, the person he'd mentioned earlier.

Compared with Lawrence, Northcote was barely touched, only a single bluish bruise on his left cheekbone. Otherwise, he was impeccably groomed-clean, well dressed and freshly shaven. He was tall, taller even than the twins by two inches at least, and bluntly attractive in an unconventional way. Yet it was his tawny eyes that were his most arresting feature. They reminded her of the eyes of a hawk, a very clever, very keen hawk who knew how to take care of itself, while it skillfully hunted down its prey.

Northcote exuded a lethal combination of sophistication, s.e.xuality and cunning, and woe betide anyone foolish enough to get in his way. Luckily, he now displayed only friendly concern for Lawrence, his drinking companion and neighbor.

Leave it to Leo and Lawrence to have a predatory raptor living one door down from them. Although, as she well knew, the twins were more than capable of being predatory themselves when it suited their purpose.

Leo was more of a lion, however.

Her lion.

Moving closer, she clasped his hand tighter.

He squeezed hers back.

"Sorry we got split up," Northcote continued in his rich baritone. "It was madness after the fight broke out. Are you all right?"

"I've been worse. What about you? You look-"

"Like a man who wasn't just released from gaol an hour ago," Leo interrupted.

Northcote turned his gaze on Leo. "I got home two hours ago from Newgate. I didn't realize Lawrence was still in desperate straits or I would have come to his aid. It would appear I owe him an apology for all the trouble."

Lawrence shook his head. "Don't worry about it. There's no lasting harm done."

"I'm having a party Thursday next," Northcote told Lawrence. "I hope you will attend. And you, Lord Leopold." He turned his penetrating gaze on Leo for a moment before it settled on her. He smiled. "You and your charming companion are welcome as well."

Leo stiffened. "Thank you, but no. Lady Thalia and I have other plans."

Northcote's smile widened as if he was fully aware that she and Leo had no such plans. Then he turned back to Lawrence. "You look done in and I'm keeping you here on the street talking. Go inside and rest. I shall see you anon. Lord Leopold. Lady Thalia." With a short bow, he turned and strode toward his own town house.

"Heavens," Thalia said once Northcote was out of earshot.

"'Heavens' is an understatement." Leo said.

He scowled after the other man in a way that struck her as being jealous, though he certainly had no reason to be.

He turned to his brother. "So I suppose you're going to accept that blighter's invitation?"

Lawrence grinned despite his split lip. "I wouldn't miss it."

Chapter 24.

Four days later, Thalia awakened to the sound of a cold early-November wind rattling the windowpanes and an overcast sky full of clouds that almost certainly promised rain.

What perfectly miserable weather, she thought. But she supposed it was apt, considering what day it was.

Her birthday.

She was now another year older-two-and-thirty.

It was a fact that only added to the oppressive gloominess outside. Then again, she'd long ago fallen out of the habit of celebrating the anniversary of her birth. For her it was a day, just like any other day. She didn't know why she even bothered to remember.

Oh yes, so I can feel the age difference between Leo and me all that much more.

With a sigh, she tossed back the covers and reached for her robe and slippers, sliding into both of them quickly to ward off the chill in the room.

As much as she wished she could crawl back under the covers and sleep for another hour, it was time to be about her day.

Leo had left shortly after dawn, murmuring something about having errands to run as he'd kissed her a drowsy good-bye. She couldn't imagine what errands he might have, but considering the amount of time they'd been spending together lately, she supposed he had been neglecting his business affairs and needed to catch up.

She had accounts and household matters of her own to which she ought to attend; this morning would be a good opportunity to get a few of them seen to before Leo returned later that afternoon.

Hera gave her a happy little meow from where she lay curled atop a blanket set in the window seat. Thalia went across to pet her, smiling at Hera's answering purrs.

She crossed next to the washstand, pleased when she found the water Parker had left for her still warm in the jug.

Face washed and teeth scrubbed clean with cinnamon tooth powder, she was brushing her hair a few minutes later when Parker gave a quick tap at the door and came inside.

Her lady's maid carried a breakfast tray, a wide smile on her face. Delicious scents drifted to Thalia's nose and her stomach rumbled with antic.i.p.ation.

"Good morning, milady. I hope you slept well."

"Very well." She took a seat at the small table in her sitting room where she usually broke her fast-although her dining habits hadn't been quite as regulated since she and Leo had started seeing each other.

Her eyes widened when Parker lifted the cloche to reveal a mouthwatering selection of foodstuffs-biscuits, shirred eggs, steak, porridge, stewed apricots, honey, b.u.t.ter, hot tea and milk.

"Gracious. Mrs. Grove has outdone herself. How will I ever be able to eat all this?" Thalia asked.

Usually she contented herself with a simple breakfast of toast and tea, and occasionally an egg and a rasher of bacon if she was particularly hungry. So what was Mrs. Grove thinking to have prepared so much?

Thalia stared down at the plates and bowls, and at the steak in particular. Fresh meat was an expensive indulgence and one she rarely allowed herself these days. Her cook's actions made no sense.

"A big delivery arrived this morning," Parker volunteered as if privy to Thalia's thoughts. "The boy said it was all paid for and to enjoy. Mrs. Grove has been grinning and humming ever since she unpacked the hamper. There was a second basket that came just for the staff. It had a huge ham inside, fresh chickens and all sorts of dried fruits and nuts. Cook says she's going to bake us all some tarts for dinner. If it's all right with you, of course, milady."

"Of course," she said automatically.

Thalia frowned, her thoughts turning over quickly. An extravagant delivery that was already paid for? She didn't need to think long to know who'd sent it.

Leo.

Who else?

She remembered him remarking only the other evening about the small portions of meat served at dinner. While it was true that the end-of-the-month larder had been running lean on rations, Leo should not have sent her hampers of expensive victuals. She would speak to him about it as soon as she had the opportunity, and ask him not to do so again in future.

As for the hampers themselves, it seemed wrong to return the one he had sent for the servants. The staff were all clearly thrilled with the gift and she couldn't see disappointing them by insisting the items be returned. The one for her was another matter and she knew she ought to send word down to the kitchen to pack it up and have it delivered to Cavendish Square.

She gazed again at all the delicious food laid out before her. It seemed churlish and wasteful not to eat it, seeing it had already been prepared. It would just go in the slop bucket if she had it taken back to the kitchen.

And for the rest?

She would keep the hamper, she decided, but give orders to Mrs. Grove that its contents be served only on occasions when Lord Leo was present for a meal. Otherwise she would forgo the offerings.

Picking up her fork and knife, she cut a slice of steak and put it in her mouth. Inwardly, she sighed with delight; it was so tender and succulent. After pausing to pour herself a cup of steaming tea, she set to eating her breakfast in earnest.

She had made excellent inroads into the hearty meal when her lady's maid walked into the sitting room again. This time she was carrying several boxes, two large and one small.

Thalia laid her silverware aside, then patted her lips with her napkin. "What are those?"

"Another delivery. They only just arrived for you, milady. Would you like me to open them?"

She nodded, then stood, saying nothing as her maid moved to the couch and set down the parcels. She watched as Parker untied the ribbon and lifted off the top of the first box.

Inside was an exquisite evening gown; she didn't need to read the card signed with a boldly inscribed L to know who had sent it.

Parker held up the garment so that Thalia could take in the full effect of the gorgeous, high-waisted gown of deep rose satin. It had long cap sleeves with sheer white oversleeves, and flounces along the hem trimmed with a row of tiny white rosebuds. The gown looked like something straight out of the latest fashion magazine. She hadn't been near something so new and pretty in over half a decade.

She barely had time to appreciate the beauty of the first garment before Parker laid it carefully aside and opened the second box to reveal another sartorial creation. It was an afternoon dress of blue-green crepe with long, lace-edged sleeves and a deep border of delicate embroidered scallops along the hem.

"Oh, and look," her maid declared as she reached yet again into the box, "there is a matching spencer and gloves. And the most adorable wide-brim bonnet with peac.o.c.k feathers, of all things. Won't you look a picture in this outfit, milady?"

Wouldn't I, just? Thalia thought with sudden longing. She could imagine Leo's reaction to her in the ensemble. How his brilliant eyes would shine with approval and desire. How pleased he would be to see her wearing the clothes he had bought especially for her.

Clothes he had bought . . .

Parker folded the gown over her arm. "I'll just nip out and give this a press while you finish the last of your meal. I won't be long."

"No," Thalia said firmly. "Please pack everything back into the boxes and get one of my usual dresses out of the wardrobe. The navy merino, I believe."

"But, milady-"

"And I am finished with breakfast. Please convey my thanks to Mrs. Grove for an excellent repast."

The glow of excitement disappeared from Parker's face and she looked for a moment as if she might argue. Instead she nodded and laid the lovely dress aside, then disappeared into the bedroom.

Thalia's shoulders drooped as soon as she was alone, her gaze returning to the gowns. She moved close and reached out, running her fingertips over a piece of lace edging that she knew was Honiton made.

So soft. So delicate. So pretty.

And so expensive.

Too expensive for her.