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Which was why a duke never would.

And why that thought would even pop into her head, Mei had no idea.

She glanced down the length of the table to where the Duke of Bolton was sitting with Lady Darcy, who was looking more and more like the perfect duchess for him. Taking a deep breath, Mei made herself focus on Mr. Fenley, who was currently exclaiming over how delightful the table settings were.

Yes, she could do far worse.

Sebastian

What on earth was Tiffany thinking, pairing Miss Hu with that young puppy?

She couldn’t possibly think they could make a match of it… could she?

Meanwhile, he was stuck at the other end of the table with Lady Darcy on one side and Lady Juliette on the other. As engaging and charming a supper companion as Lady Darcy was, he could not stop his attention from being drawn down the table to Miss Hu again and again.

Always smiling at that bloody moppet.

Was he even old enough to shave?

Despite Lady Darcy’s best efforts, she eventually abandoned trying to speak with him and turned her attention to the elder Mr. Fenley on her other side. Sebastian supposed he should be insulted, but he could hardly complain. If she was hoping to spark some semblance of jealousy in his breast, the effort failed. He was far more jealous of the younger Mr. Fenley and the way Miss Hu was smiling at him.

It was becoming clearer and clearer that his desire for Miss Hu was not dimming. If anything, it was getting worse every hour they were at this party.

He did not want to be charmed by Lady Darcy or Lady MarcyAnne or Miss Fenley. In fact, he was beginning to wish Miss Fenley had not been invited at all, despite her very enjoyable company, or at least that she’d left her blasted brothers at home. Even if they were needed to balance the numbers.

The meal came to a close, and Sebastian felt a small spurt of relief that he would no longer have to watch Miss Hu and Mr. Fenley smiling at each other.

“We shall retire to the drawing room,” the dowager duchess said, getting to her feet and smiling at the guests. Incredibly petite, she was dressed in a ruffled gown of bright colors that made her resemble a showy bird, all the way up to the red feathers bobbing in her hair.

Sebastian felt Tiffany’s hand on his shoulder, and she bent down to whisper in his ear. “Excuse yourself and come with me.”

Immediately, he followed her instruction as the dowager led the other ladies out. More than one of them glanced curiously at him and Tiffany… but not Miss Hu. Which grated. She’d seemed wholeheartedly dedicated to avoiding him today, pretending as if their meeting in the library never happened.

As if the moment of desire between them had never happened.

His teeth grated against each other as he followed Tiffany out of the dining room, leaving the other gentlemen to their brandy and cigars. She slipped her arm through his and led him to the small sitting room just down the hall. It was a room meant for more private conversation, with a thick carpet, tapestries on the walls, the high, wing-backed chairs facing away from the particularly thick door, and a single window that was currently shut behind heavy drapes.

Tiffany closed the door firmly behind them.

“Well, brother? Do you need some advice with deciding on your bride?” she asked teasingly as she swept over to take her seat, spreading her blue silk skirts prettily. Sebastian sat down with her and sighed at her question.

“I… am uncertain.”

“I can understand that. They are four very different young ladies,” Tiffany agreed with a nod. The sapphire jewels she wore sparkled with her movement. She was smiling as if very amused. “Though I do think Lady Juliette is no longer in the running on the grounds that she would refuse your suit.”

“I wish Lord Hayworth good luck with her,” Sebastian replied, chuckling. “I think the two of them make a far better match than she and I would. Especially since she clearly had a tendre for him.”

“Mm, a spot of competition can be good for encouraging a gentleman to make his move, or so I’ve heard.” Tiffany shrugged. It was not an area she was experienced in, as she’d barely made her debut before being embroiled in a scandalous embrace with Gregory. Though now that Sebastian recalled, Nathanial had offered for her hand that evening as well, so Gregory had had a bit of competition.

That was not why he’d proposed… but he did not have to marry Tiffany to save her reputation. He’d still insisted upon it rather than ceding her to Nathanial. Which had certainly worked out well for all of them. Nathanial and Kalina made a much better couple than he and Tiffany would have, and Tiffany and Gregory were well-nigh perfect for each other.

“Yes, well.” Sebastian did not squirm in his seat, though part of him wanted to.

He wanted to tell his sister that he did not desire any of his potential matches as much as he desired the matchmaker himself.

Especially because Tiffany still did not know that he’d hired Miss Hu. She thought the matchmaker had merely suggested the additions to the guest list. And Sebastian was uncertain how she would respond to such a revelation. Miss Hu was one of her friends, but she was not ton.

“I would be perfectly happy with any of them as my sister-in-law,” Tiffany reassured him. “If that is your worry.”