"Or someone worth knowing," she said with an irritated flick of her fan.
He shook his dark head. "Only by people equally frivolous and shallow. You're neither of those things, though you're in danger of becoming so if your aunt has her way and arranges for you what she would deem to be a good match."
"I thank you for the words of warning. But I'm old enough to tend to my own interests."
"Just so long as you take away the lesson Jonathan tried to teach you with The School for Scandal. There are many ways to wound a person with just one blow of the tongue. And appearances can be deceiving."
She studied his handsome, somber features carefully. "All of you dislike the Earl. Why? Is it because he's only newly come into his title?"
The Duke's emerald eyes glittered. "I'm shocked that you should think all of us such snobs that that would make one particle of difference to us. Let us just say that while I can appreciate that some of us mend our ways due to experience, many leopards can never change their spots."
"Yet I know that you and the others were called Rakehells. Did you all live up to that name?" she asked with asperity.
He shook his head. "You will also know it had to do more with our politics than our pursuit of women. I'm happy to say we have not substantially changed. We still believe passionately in a better world, and we look after our own. The only huge change in any of our lives has been forced upon us by circumstance, but we are in all essentials still the decent men we have always tried to be. Jonathan most of all. And sometimes to his detriment."
She raised her brows. "Detriment? How so? Surely doing the right thing is reward in itself?"
The Duke laughed shortly. "Not in his case. If he were a less honorable man, he would be far more happy."
The set having come to an end, he bowed to her, and left her pondering upon his cryptic remark.
But not for too long, as the Earl claimed her for yet another dance, and kept up a running commentary on everyone in the room, their clothes, their affairs.
"I must say, sir, you're in fine form tonight. I've never seen you so animated," Pamela commented at one point.
"And I've never seen you looking so captivating. Really, Miss Ashton, your inestimable beauty leads me to avow that I should like to get to see more of you, here in Bath and in London. Alas, though, I shall be leaving tomorrow. Urgent business takes me up to Town. But the prospect of not seeing you for another month or so until the Season proper begins is almost more than I can bear."
"My, sir, you do believe in being candid," she said, her cheeks taking on a rosy hue.
"As I discovered in the Army, life is too short to waste a moment of it. Every time I see you, my regard for you increases."
"I'm sorry there's nothing I can do to alleviate your distress. We're committed to remaining with the Duke until the end of the month, and then shall be staying with my school friend, or at the Duke's townhouse. He's been a most gracious host. I couldn't possibly offend he and his wife."
"I do understand. Promise me you'll look me up as soon as you get to Town." He pressed a paper into her hand, and she giggled in embarrassment.
"I shall be leaving my lodgings in the North Parade in the morning, Miss Ashton, but I shall wave at your window as I pass."
"Too kind of you, I'm sure," she said, smiling up at him and hoping he did not take her laughter amiss. It just seemed too absurd. He had changed from a caterpillar to a butterfly. It was a pleasant change, but nevertheless unexpected, and rather hard to get used to.
As the dance ended, he made a great show of kissing her hand before leading her over to a pillar to rejoin her friends. She got about halfway there when a familiar face hove into view, and her hand was taken in a firm grip.
The Earl and Captain exchanged looks fraught with meaning.
Pamela was surprised that they appeared to know each other so well.
"I don't care if you are engaged. The next dance is mine." Captain Breedon bowed over her hand, then kissed it warmly.
"My goodness, Captain, what are you doing here? I'm delighted to see you, of course, but I thought regimental business prevented you from enjoying the delights of Bath for very long."
"I have completed my duties, and am looking forward to some time here and in London with my relatives."
"What have you been doing since I last saw you?" she asked as she promenaded around the circle with him.
"Oh, the recruiting drive is going admirably. The men around Brimley have been so patriotic that I've not only met my quota, I've exceeded it."