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As one, the three women turned.

“Captain Steele.” Lenora sounded almost normal. “I didn’t know you were expected.”

Had he been expected?

Her eyes wide, Merilee breathed, “Oh my.”

She did not sound the least normal.

Nudging her in the ribs, Diana said, “Close your mouth before a fly lands inside.”

As there weren’t any flies in the drawing room, that wasn’t likely.

With a disgruntled scowl toward her friend, Merilee snapped her mouth shut. “He’s the man who carried you to the coach?” She winked at Lenora. “Lucky, lucky girl.”

Diana had a somewhat dazed glint in her eyes too, and cool and composed Diana was never awestruck. She personified comportment and equanimity. She sent Lenora a side-eyed glance, then raised an eyebrow archly as if to say, “We shall discuss this—him—later.”

Lenora firmly told the flush trying to scoot up her neck and face to stay hidden beneath her gown. She wasn’t a blushing ninny. She positively had nothing to color about.

Jason bowed, and a lock of his dark hair drifted over his forehead. She liked that he didn’t fuss with pomades. A pinkish scar disappeared into his hairline, and a hint of bronze glinted in the sable strands. A testament to his time at sea, no doubt. A waft of soap and bayberry carried to her.

Clean and simple.

Lenora disliked heavily scented gentlemen, particularly those who wore copious quantities of eau de cologne or eau de toilette to disguise their aversion to bathing. At once, Lord Barnabus Pinwickerly barged to mind. An involuntary shudder skittered from her waist to her shoulders. Lord Pinwickerly was not present today, nor was he usually included in the same circles Landry and Celestia frequented.

Praise God for small favors.

“Miss Audsley,” Jason flashed her a smile that was designed to unhinge her knees.

Lenora locked the traitorous appendages against any inclination to turn to custard.

“You look very well,” he murmured, still smiling that blinding smile.

She refused to blink rapidly against his masculine onslaught.

Nearby, Lenora heard two distinct sighs of pleasure.

Ninnyhammers and peagooses.

Or was it pea geese?

“I am pleased you’ve recovered so swiftly.” His American accent drew the words out into a deep melodic burr.

“Captain Steele, permit me to introduce my dearest friends.” In short order, Lenora had performed the niceties.

The four ladies who’d all but been drooling over Viscount Corkran giggled and then promptly deserted the poor man in favor of joining Lenora and her friends. And Captain Steele, of course.

If they believed she would force Jason to endure their twittering and fawning by performing more introductions, they’d indulged in something much more robust than tea this afternoon.

Good-natured as always, Viscount Corkran gave Jason a curious glance before shrugging a shoulder and joining another group composed of older gentlemen. Not, however, before he’d sent a soulful glance toward Merilee, who was too busy ogling Jason to notice.

Somewhat peevishly, Lenora realized several other ladies also drifted their way. It seemed Jason drew women to his side, as unavoidable as fog descending upon the Thames or rain in November. Except the thick pewter-colored clouds blanketing the sky looked suspiciously like they portended snow.

Wouldn’t that be something?

Lenora adored snow. Skating, sleigh rides, making snow angels. Not to mention hot toddies, roasted chestnuts, and steaming cinnamon buns. Mama vowed God had created cinnamon to warm the human heart.

Lenora returned her attention to Jason as the other eager women sidled nearer. A wave of disappointment washed over her, and she dropped her gaze to the carpet for a second lest anyone question her sudden solemnness.