Every bit as handsome up close, the gentleman with a distinctively regal air also had a distinctive blond streak in his hair exactly like Phillip's.
The blood rushed from Meredith's face as quickly as air rushed from her lungs. Heaven help her, this was the famous and powerful Duke of Suttenberg, the paragon, and his intimidating mother.
"Your Graces, I believe you know everyone in this group except one," Lady Daubrey said. "May I present Miss Brown, daughter of the Browns and niece of the Staffords?" She swept a hand over her shoulder in the direction of her parents.
"Miss Brown," Lady Daubrey said, "this is the Duke of Suttenberg and his mother, the duchess."
The duchess, a beautiful, petite lady, cast an appraising glance over her. Her lips formed a faint smile. "Charmed." Despite her size, an aura of power encircled the duchess.
The duke, equal in height to Phillip, studied her with an intensity that made her knees wobble.
Taking herself in hand, Meredith curtsied to them and somehow managed to do it without falling on her face. All those years with the best governesses money could buy, not to mention her own dear mother, must have come through for her, finally. "Your Graces."
As soon as they learned who she was, they would probably demand she be thrust from their lofty presence.
Cora linked her arm through Meredith's. "Miss Brown is one of my dearest friends, Your Grace."
"How do you find London?" the duchess asked Meredith.
Meredith shored up her courage. "I enjoy it very much and hope to see more of its sights while I'm here."
"What is most memorable so far?" the duke asked in a friendly, yet somehow still aloof, manner.
"Going for an unexpected swim in the Thames is one I'll remember most clearly."
Annabel, Cora, Mr. Morton, and Mr. Cavenleigh, who'd been present for her little tumble off her boat, all laughed. Or choked.
The duke and duchess looked on, mystified. Meredith gestured to Annabel, "We had a minor boating accident as we were ferrying to Vauxhall, which tipped our boat. I fell into the river."
"Good heavens," the duke said.
The duchess raised her brows. "I trust no harm befell you?"
"I'm an excellent swimmer and managed to keep afloat until the ferryman pulled me back on board. I am sorry to say that I have yet to see Vauxhall."
"Perhaps I can change that for you," the Viscount Amesbury said with a playfully rakish grin.
"Only if you promise to leave rowing to the ferryman," Meredith shot back.
A prickling sensation tickled the back of her neck, and the very feel of the air changed. She turned. Phillip stood in the doorway of the drawing room. Her palms grew sweaty inside her gloves, and she desperately needed a glass of punch. How handsome he was and how dear his face had become.
She turned away. She would not let him use her. Her heart would belong to no one ever again.
He crossed the room with lightning speed. "Mother, Suttenberg," he said as he greeted his family. He nodded to others and inserted himself into the circle next to Meredith. In a tone that suggested intimacy, he said, "Miss Brown."
Memories of his tender, skillful kiss sent heat through her cheeks. She must hold strong against him.
"I see you have met my mother and my brother," he said in his lovely baritone.
"Indeed, I have." Somehow, she had managed to sound almost light. "We were discussing how I have yet to visit Vauxhall Gardens."
"I shall be happy to remedy that for you," Lord Amesbury said with a twinkle in his eye.
Phillip said in a warning voice, "No need. I claim the privilege of seeing to that happy duty."
He turned his full attention to Meredith. A desperate sort of longing shadowed his eyes, and faint blue circles under his eyes suggested a lack of sleep. Did he regret his wager? Or was he merely sorry she'd discovered it? Perhaps he had some other game.
"Miss Brown, I believe it is a bit warm in here, is it not? Please allow me to escort you out to the balcony for a breath of air before dinner."
Meredith clenched her fan tightly enough that it cracked. "I don't think it's overly warm."
"Please." The pleading in his eyes tugged at her. "Come out with me-only for a moment. I wish very much to have a word with you."
Annabel nudged her. "Perhaps just as you allowed Mr. Morton to defend himself, you could allow Mr. Partridge to do the same?"
Cora nodded her head so vigorously that her bandeau slipped a little. Michael Cavenleigh wore a similar look of pleading. Phillip touched her arm, whisper light, his expression grave and heart-wrenchingly vulnerable.
Meredith relented. "Only for a moment."
He held out his arm and waited, desperate, cautious, hurt. Had she hurt him?
She took his arm and accompanied him outside to a balcony. The evening air cooled her heated face. She glanced back to be sure they remained in full view of the room.
He took a breath that seemed to take effort. "First, I am sorry I wagered on you. Second, the wager came as a result of my declaration to Michael that you were the only one for me and that I would marry you one day."
She went still at his unexpected words.
"He said you would never forgive me dumping you into the river. One thing led to another. The wager came as a result. That is all. Two posturing stallions. It has nothing to do with my desire to court you."
She searched his eyes, seeking clues to his honesty.
He put a hand underneath her elbow and gave it a gentle squeeze. "I loved you almost from the moment I saw you. I have been sincere in my affections and love you more each day. If you need more time, I will gladly give it to you-even if it takes years. My love for you will remain constant."
Holding onto her suspicions as if they were her old friends, she asked, "Years? What about your wager?"
He waved away he words. "I'll muck out his stables if I must. That timeline of marrying you before the end of the Season has nothing to do with you and me." He took both of her hands, pressed them together, and enclosed them with his. "Please allow me to court you, to prove to you how much I adore and love you."
She looked down at their hands. Did she dare trust him?
"I would marry you this moment if you would have me, but I'm not asking you to pledge yourself to me just yet. I will give you all the time you need to trust me. Please, please, allow me court you."
He seemed sincere. How could she know for certain? "When did you make this wager?"
"The day after Vauxhall. I think Michael was, in his own way, trying to encourage me to woo you." He waited.
She looked up at him and caught her breath at the cautious hope in his expression.
A lump formed in her throat. She whispered, "I do wish to continue spending time in your company."
He let out a shaking breath. "Then you forgive me?"
She pointed her fan at him. "No more wagers about me."
His shoulders sagged in relief, and he nodded. "I vow it."
A half sob, half laugh broke free. "Yes. What about your mother? And the duke?"
"I am working on a plan to handle them." He tugged on her hand and smiled. "I want so badly to kiss you again, right now, but I'd best not."
"No, not now." Shyly, she suggested, "Perhaps we can sneak away later."
He let out a soft moan. "I can hardly wait."
"Oh, and I want you to meet my parents."
He brightened. "They came? I hadn't heard back."
She smiled tenderly. "You arranged that."
He nodded. "You were so unhappy about the estrangement."
"Thank you. You arranged all this too, didn't you?" She gestured to the party.
"Lady Daubrey was kind enough to arrange it for us."
As they returned to the drawing room, they found Meredith's parents conversing freely with her aunt and uncle, with the Viscount Amesbury, and with the Duke and Duchess of Suttenberg. On Phillip's arm, she approached them.
Phillip's tension was palpable, but he made a valiant attempt to appear casual. He glanced between Mama and Papa and Meredith.
Meredith took the hint. "Mama, Papa, may I present Mr. Phillip Partridge?"
After a quick, proper bow, Papa said, "Ah, yes, Mr. Partridge. Thank you again for your kind letter. It was most welcome."
"If it brought happiness to Miss Brown, then I am happy to have been of service," Phillip said. "Now that you are here, I must take this opportunity to ask if I might formally court your daughter."
Papa glanced at Meredith. She smiled and nodded. He returned his gaze. "I understand you had a similar conversation with her uncle recently."
"Yes, sir." He held his breath.
So did Meredith.
Papa paused. Finally, he said, "He and I discussed you. We determined that you possess the moral character we require of anyone who has an interest in her. You may court her for as long as she desires it-with your family's permission."