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to leave Bath.’

      ‘Not at all,’ she replied coolly. ‘I am merely saying that the coming season will provide Lady Hune with more diversions, and she has many friends here, too, so you must not think that she will be without company, Mr Arrandale.’

      ‘I do not see that anyone would want to leave Bath,’ remarked Ellen. ‘Why, there are concerts and balls, and the shops—the finest outside London, I dare say!’

      Richard laughed. ‘When you put it like that, Miss Tatham, I am tempted to remain here all winter.’

       No! The idea was intolerable.

      Phyllida said quickly, ‘But you have estates of your own, do you not, sir? They must require a great deal of your time.’

      ‘I have Brookthorn Manor, in Hampshire, but there is nothing there that cannot wait.’ Amusement rippled through his voice. ‘Why, Lady Phyllida, is Miss Tatham correct, are you trying to get rid of me?’

      She managed a lighthearted laugh. ‘Not at all, sir.’

      ‘No, of course she isn’t,’ declared Ellen. ‘Why should she wish to do that?’

      ‘Why indeed?’ he murmured.

      Phyllida risked glancing up and read such amusement in his eyes that she quickly looked away again, her face flaming. Angrily she told herself not to be so foolish. If he knew she was aware of his intentions then so much the better.

      * * *

      Richard’s lips twitched. Really, Lady Phyllida looked quite delightful when she was blushing and the urge to tease her was almost irresistible. He also felt unusually protective. She was far too young and inexperienced in the ways of the world: how could she hope to protect her stepdaughter from the wolves that were hunting her, himself included? True, she had managed to keep him from having Ellen to himself on this occasion, but she would not always be able to keep him at bay.

      The problem was, neither would she be able to keep the other fellows away. And knowing the prize at stake, some of them might prove much more unscrupulous than he. Today Richard had been fortunate. A few coins had elicited the information from her footman that Lady Phyllida was going to Sydney Gardens, and when he had seen Fullingham on his way to Charles Street he had been able to save him the trouble of calling by informing him that Lady Phyllida was not at home.

      Remembering Ellen’s wish to see the labyrinth, he had made his way directly to this popular spot only to find Tesford and Cromby were there before him. From their brief conversation he realised that they had also bribed Lady Phyllida’s footman. Devil take it, the fellow would be able to retire from service at the end of the season if this continued! Luckily Richard had intercepted the ladies and persuaded them to take another route away from the labyrinth. Things had gone his way, but he would have to remain vigilant if he was to win the wager and the heiress for himself.

      * * *

      They had reached Laura Place, where the Wakefields stopped to take their leave. Richard turned to Phyllida.

      ‘Perhaps, ma’am, you will allow me to escort you and Miss Tatham to Charles Street?’

      ‘That is very kind of you, Mr Arrandale, but we are not going directly home. I promised Ellen that we would do a little shopping in Milsom Street. To buy ribbons.’

      Richard was not surprised at the lady’s response. She suspected his motives and it would be as well if he did not press his suit any further today. He was about to bow and take his leave when he noticed Sir Charles Urmston strolling towards them. He was coming from the direction of Pulteney Bridge but Richard did not doubt that he would turn back to escort the ladies to Milsom Street, given the chance. Richard had no intention of allowing him the opportunity, if he could help it.

      He smiled. ‘Then allow me to escort you there. I am very good at choosing ribbons.’

      ‘Thank you.’ Phyllida shook her head. ‘However, we could not impose upon you any longer today.’

      ‘Oh, I am sure it could not be an imposition,’ put in Lady Wakefield, who overheard this exchange and had clearly fallen under Richard Arrandale’s spell. ‘I am old-fashioned enough to think it a good thing to have a gentleman’s escort when one walks about town, even in Bath.’

      ‘Oh, yes, pray do come with us, Mr Arrandale,’ said Ellen, just as Phyllida was about to make a firm denial. ‘I have seen a bonnet that I should like to buy. The milliner told me it is in the latest London fashion but I am not so sure, and I would value your opinion.’

      ‘Then I shall be happy to give it,’ he responded promptly.

      ‘There you are then,’ declared Lady Wakefield, smiling. ‘We shall bid you good day, Lady Phyllida.’

      Phyllida pressed her lips together, trying to hide her dismay as Lady Wakefield went off with Julia and Adrian. Richard held out his arms.

      ‘Well, ladies, shall we go on?’

      His laughing glance made Phyllida grind her teeth but she had no choice, she must accept gracefully. The alternative would be to face questions from Ellen, questions which she had no intention of answering with Richard Arrandale standing by. Such was her distraction that when they passed Sir Charles Urmston in Argyle Street, her response to his pleasant greeting was no more than a distant nod.

      Phyllida said little as they made their way to Milsom Street, allowing Ellen to chatter on. When they reached the milliners Richard accompanied them inside to inspect the bonnet that had caught Ellen’s eye. It was a ruched bronze-satin creation decorated with an overabundance of flowers and tassels. Phyllida declared she thought it far from tasteful, but it was the doubtful look on Richard’s face that made Ellen change her mind and decide the bonnet was not for her after all. Phyllida was relieved, but perturbed by the thought that she should be grateful to Richard Arrandale.

      They went on to the haberdashers, where Ellen browsed the rainbow of coloured ribbons that the assistant spread out for her inspection. There was barely room for two people to stand together at the counter and Phyllida hesitated before stepping back to let Richard move in and advise Ellen on her choice. Let that be his reward for dissuading her from buying the unsuitable bonnet.

      Phyllida stood out of the way by a side door until Ellen had made her purchase, then she accompanied them out of the shop.

      ‘Well...’ She smiled. ‘Which ribbon did you decide upon?’

      ‘This one.’ Ellen opened the package to show Phyllida. ‘I could not decide between this and the primrose but in the end I chose the cornflower blue. Is it not a lovely colour?’ She added in an innocent voice, ‘Mr Arrandale said this matches my eyes.’

      Ellen’s laughing glance was somewhat reassuring. Phyllida knew her stepdaughter was not taken in by such compliments. Not yet.

      ‘And he is right,’ she agreed, keeping her tone cool. ‘Shall we go on?’

      They had not gone many yards down Milsom Street when Ellen gave a loud sigh.

      ‘Is it not always the same? Now that I have left the shop I am sure I should have bought the primrose ribbon as well as the blue.’

      ‘Well, it is too late to return now,’ said Phyllida. ‘I think it is going to rain. ‘Let us get on now, we can always come back tomorrow.’

      Richard stopped.

      ‘I have an errand of my own to run,’ he said. ‘If you would like to continue with your shopping, I shall catch you up.’

      He strode away before they had time to argue. Ellen giggled.

      ‘I do believe he is going back to buy the primrose ribbon for me.’

      ‘Oh, I hope not,’ said Phyllida. ‘I really do not wish to be beholden to Mr Arrandale.’

      ‘For a few pennies’ worth of ribbon?’ declared Ellen. ‘What harm can there be in that?’

      ‘He

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