"Bath buns for me!" Kit's handsome features creased with clear appreciation. "I see I shall have to rescue Eliza more often."

He waggled his brows, causing them all to laugh.

"Well, come inside where you can tell me everything," Violet said, slipping her arm around Eliza's waist. "And once you are finished, we shall never again mention that man's name. I always did think Philip Pettigrew was a thoroughly loathsome toad."

"You'll get no argument from me." Eliza hooked her arm around Violet's waist in return and let her friend ferry her inside.

In her bedchamber, Eliza bathed and washed her hair, then changed into one of her own freshly laundered gowns. All the while, she regaled Violet with the details of her harrowing adventure, careful to omit mention of the most important part of the tale, the glorious turn of events between her and Kit.

As much as she was dying to confide in Violet, Eliza decided she owed Lance the dignity of telling him first. Once she had broken off her engagement to him, she would share her ecstatic news with her friend. She couldn't wait to see Violet's reaction, since she knew Violet would be so surprised.

A few hours later, she sat on the saffron-and-white-striped sofa in the family drawing room, sipping a predinner sherry. The others were gathered with her, including Darragh and Jeannette's entire brood, all of them awaiting the anticipated arrival of Adrian and Brevard.

Not long after, soft footfalls tread across the Turkey carpet runners in the hall, Adrian and Lance striding unannounced into the room.

Abruptly nervous, Eliza set her drink aside and climbed to her feet. Guilt assailed her when she saw the viscount's travel-stained condition. His jaw was unshaven, eyes red-rimmed with clear exhaustion. Without pause, he crossed instantly to her and pulled her into his arms.

Before she could say a single word, his lips were upon hers and he was kissing her passionately, uncaring of their audience.

"Darling," he said, "I am so grateful you are safe. I was frantic until I had Winter's note, and all the way home, well, Raeburn and I didn't know if he'd found you or not. I am so relieved you are here. I assume you are well?"

"Yes, I'm fine."

Eliza plunged into the same series of reassurances and explanations she had already given everyone else. Cradled inside Lance's grasp, she delicately tried to extricate herself without making an obvious issue of it.

But Lance wasn't letting go.

Aware of the glower of jealousy and displeasure that must be riding Kit's face, she kept herself from glancing in his direction.

"Lance," she said in a low voice, "we need to talk."

Gently, she tried again to remove herself from his embrace, but he failed to take the hint.

He smiled down at her. "We will talk later, dearest. First, just let me hold you, let me feel that you are all right."

Fighting the urge to squirm, she forced herself to stand acquiescent for another long pair of moments. "See?" she murmured with false brightness. "I am quite well. Now, let me go, Lance. We are in company."

He dismissed her request. "Everyone here is family. No one can object if we share an embrace. We are an engaged couple, after all. Allowances are always made for engaged couples."

She could think of at least one person who must be dying to object. Once again, she did not glance his way. "Yes, but-"

"But what?" A slight line creased Brevard's patrician forehead. "What is it, Eliza. Something is wrong, isn't it?"

On an inward sigh, she met his gaze. "Let us go into the other room, where we can be private."

The lines on his forehead deepened to a heavy frown. "Why do we need privacy? What is it you must tell me so urgently?"

A silence descended over the room, everyone else-save one-clearly wanting to know the answer as well. A leaden lump of panic settled in her throat, her heart suddenly beating as frantically as the wings of a small, caged bird. Needing reassurance, her gaze finally darted up and across to Kit, seeking his strength and guidance. His eyes locked with hers, conveying a silent message of resilient calm.

The brief contact was obviously enough to alert Brevard, whose muscles stiffened. The viscount flicked a long, inquiring glance between her and Kit. Slowly, his arms slid away, finally setting her free.

"Just what exactly is going on here?" Brevard asked.

"Come out into the hall. Please, Lance," she beseeched, a bitter shower of guilt raining upon her.

Kit strode forward. After a brief moment of hesitation, he laid what could only be seen as a proprietary hand on her shoulder. "I think it's a little too late for secrecy. I believe he already knows the truth."

Brevard stared for another long moment before his eyes narrowed upon Kit, turning vicious. "Why, you contemptible blackguard! You've compromised her, haven't you?"

Gasps echoed around the room.

Eliza extended a hand. "Lance, it isn't what you think."

"It's exactly what he thinks, sweetheart," Kit declared in a soft, pragmatic tone.

"I'll kill you!"

In a blink, Brevard's fist shot out and connected squarely with Kit's chin.

Kit's head snapped back, more gasps filling the room, along with a few wincing oohs.

Eliza cried out and reached for Kit.

Shaking his head to clear out the stars, Kit stood his ground. Slowly, he reached up to rub a hand over his abused jaw. "I suppose I deserved that punch," he told the viscount, "but if you want to try for another, we'll have to take this to an alternate location."

Eliza laid a restraining hand on his arm. "You will do nothing of the kind. I will not have you fighting, either of you. And certainly not over me."

"Sorry, Brevard. Eliza and I didn't want to tell you this way, not so openly and with so little finesse." Kit paused, then looped an arm around Eliza's waist. "But the lady and I are in love. Whatever may have happened between us over the past few days was born of that love. And just so there are no misunderstandings, Eliza has agreed to be my wife."

Brevard's skin paled, his gaze shooting to her. "Is this true, what he says? Have you promised to marry him?"

Remorse stung her as she read the abject pain in the viscount's eyes, along with a measure of his rising anger. "Yes."

"Is it because the two of you were alone? Because you feel you must wed him?"

Part of her wished she could salve his pride, wished she could soften his hurt and let him believe a lie. But such dishonesty seemed wrong, seemed unworthy of them all.

Slowly she shook her head. "No. I love him. Oh, Lance, I am so dreadfully sorry."

"He's the one, isn't he?" Brevard sent a curt nod toward Kit.

She nodded.

"I thought you said it was over."

"I thought it was. Please, you must believe me, I never intended to hurt you."

His shoulders lowered in sudden resignation. "No, I suppose you did not."

Not knowing what else to do, she twisted off her engagement ring and held it out to him. "Lance, I...forgive me."

His anguished blue eyes met hers for a long moment before he took the ring. "Be happy, Eliza."

Gripping the stone tightly inside his palm, Brevard turned and strode from the room.

Trembling, Eliza let Kit draw her close. Dusting a kiss over her cheek, he stroked a palm in soothing arcs across her back. They remained silent, both sad and awash in regrets.

"It had to be done," he murmured against her ear.

"I know, but did you see his face? He was so hurt."

"Yes, but he'll heal in time."

"I suppose. I feel so very dreadful. He didn't deserve this."

"No, but there was no alternative."

She sighed. "I only hope he finds someone else someday. Someone who will love him with all her heart."

"I hope so too." Dismissing the avid interest of their audience, Kit bent and kissed her. "I love you."

Her arms crept around his waist and squeezed. "I love you too, so very much."

Leaning back, she studied the bruise beginning to color his jaw. "Oh, darling, just look at your poor face. You're going to need an herb poultice and a fresh piece of steak for that wound."

"And here I was looking forward to eating dinner, not wearing it on my face." He laughed, then groaned, grimacing against the pain.

"So, do I presume there is a wedding in the offing?" Adrian interrupted, crossing the room toward them.

Eliza huddled against Kit as he turned them to face his brother. "There certainly is, as soon as the ceremony can be arranged. Eliza has made me the happiest of men by agreeing to be my bride."

When Adrian fixed a stern gaze upon Kit, Eliza stiffened and raised her chin.

"She has done you a great honor, agreeing to put up with you and your antics," Adrian said. "A gift I trust you will not soon forget."

"Never," Kit promised.

A wide grin stretched across Adrian's mouth, his gaze shifting to her. "Welcome to the family, Eliza. I can't think of another girl I would rather have as my sister."

She beamed and stepped forward for a familial buss on the cheek. "And thank you for searching for me."

"You are entirely welcome."

Having restrained herself long enough, Violet rushed forward, squealing out her delight. The two women hugged, jumping up and down like giddy schoolgirls.

"Are you angry?" Eliza asked.

Violet raised a golden brow. "About what?"

"My not telling you. Were you shockingly surprised?"

"A little shocked but not all that surprised. I've always known you carried a secret tendre for Kit."

"You did?"

"Of course. I'm not blind."

"Neither am I," Jeannette piped.

Eliza's lips parted, a frisson of astonishment tingling through her as she stared at Jeannette. "What?"

"Well, your adoration was plain to see, if one only cared to look," Jeannette said. "I am just glad Christopher finally decided to come to his senses. I was worried he was actually going to let you marry Lord Brevard."

"Good heavens," Eliza exclaimed. "Did you all know?"

Darragh and Adrian had the grace to glance at their shoes, while Darragh's four siblings observed the proceedings with great interest and rounded eyes.

"Seems we've both been deluded, sweetheart." Kit hugged her to him again. "But it doesn't matter. We've found each other now and we'll never be apart again."

"No. Never, ever again, my love," she murmured, smiling as she gazed into his eyes.

Jeannette cleared her throat. "Well, now that we're all in agreement that the two of you belong together, we must discuss this wedding. It simply will not do for you to rush to the altar."

"I planned to procure a special license," Kit stated.

Jeannette made a noise of dismissal. "Eliza must have a church ceremony and a beautiful gown, nothing less will do. I have already been in talks with Madame Thibodaux about her dress, so that is already under way. The banns must be read, which means you will need to decide whether you wish to be married here in Town or at Winterlea. Personally, I think the country would be far nicer now that the Season is nearly finished."

Kit scowled.

Eliza sighed.

Violet grinned and leaned near. "You might as well give in. You know how she loves to plan festive events."

Eliza exchanged a look with Kit.

Moments later, they began to laugh.

Epilogue.

"Oooh, that was lovely." Eliza fought to catch her breath as she fell back against the sheets next to Kit.

He angled his head toward her, his own lungs pumping for air. "Lovely? It was better than lovely. It was fantastic."