One Night with a Regency Lord. Lucy Ashford

as one of those friends.’

      The last guest departed well before eleven. She wasn’t sorry that Bath inhabitants seemed to keep early hours. The party had been convivial and undemanding, but it had still cost an effort to play the role expected of her.

      ‘I saw you talking to Perry Latham,’ her grandmother remarked casually. ‘He’s a good-looking fellow, don’t you think?’

      ‘Very presentable.’

      ‘A thorough gentleman, too.’

      ‘Indeed, yes.’

      ‘And not without town bronze,’ Brielle pursued.

      Amelie smiled warmly back at her. ‘He’s a veritable pattern card of all the virtues,’ she replied laughingly, while her thoughts roved dangerously elsewhere.