Honoria picked up a pencil and dutifully scribbled as he reeled off a short list of his own. When he said "Chillingworth" she looked up in surprise. "I thought the earl was no favorite of yours?"
"On the contrary-he's a prime favorite." Devil smiled, one of his Prince of Darkness smiles. "Who would I taunt if I didn't have Chillingworth by?"
Honoria looked her reply but left the earl on the list. Chillingworth could look after himself.
"I had wondered," Devil said, studying her profile, "if you were free to come for a drive?"
Honoria looked up, her arm brushing his thigh. Her eyes touched his, then she grimaced. "I can't." She gestured to the writing materials on the table. "If the ball's to be next Friday, I need to send the invitations out today."
Devil had never written a ball invitation in his life. He was about to suggest he might l
earn, when Honoria continued: "Louise is bringing the twins by to help."
With a swift smile, Devil uncoiled his long legs. "In that case, I'll leave you to your endeavors."
His fingers trailed against her cheek as he stood, then he grinned and strolled to the door; Honoria watched it close behind him. She stared at the panels, her expression wistful, then she grimaced and went back to her lists.
The next morning, when the morning room door opened, Honoria looked up with an eager smile. Only to discover it was Vane who sought an audience.
"Devil said I'd find you here." Smiling charmingly, he strolled forward. "I've a request to make."
The gleam in his eye suggested just what that request might be; Honoria eyed it with matriarchal disapproval. "Who?" she asked.
"Lady Canterton. And Harry suggested Lady Pinney."
Honoria held his gaze for a pregnant moment, then reached for her pencil. "I'll send the invitations today."
"Thank you."
"With one proviso." She looked up in time to see wariness creep into his eyes.
"What proviso?"
There was a hint of steel in the question; Honoria ignored it. "You will each dance one dance with each of the twins."
"The twins?" Vane stared at her. "How old are they?"
"Seventeen. They'll be presented this year-Friday will be their first ball."
Vane shuddered.
Honoria raised a brow. "Well?"
He looked at her, grim resignation in his eyes. "Very well-one dance each. I'll tell Harry."
Honoria nodded. "Do."
Her next visitors followed in quick succession, all on the same errand. Gabriel succeded Vane; Lucifer followed. The last through the morning-room door was Richard. "I know," Honoria said, reaching for her much-amended list. "Lady Grey."
"Lady Grey?" Richard blinked. "Why Lady Grey?"
Honoria blinked back. She'd seen him slip away from Horatia's ball with the dark-haired, alabaster-skinned beauty. "Isn't she…?" She gestured with her pencil.
"Ah, no." Richard's grin was reminiscent of Devil at his worst. "That was last year. I was going to ask for Lady Walton."
Ask for-like a treat. And, like a treat, Lady Walton would doubtless fall, a ripe plum into his lap. Honoria decided it was useless disapproving; she added Lady Walton to her list.
"And I dutifully promise to stand up with both Amanda and Amelia."