Hetty said formally, her voice as deep as she could make it, and bowed. She had the inescapable feeling that his lordship’s gray eyes saw straight through her coat, waistcoat, and shirt to her chemise. He was an extraordinarily handsome man, and as a woman, Hetty appreciated his smile in a way that Lord Harry couldn’t begin to. “So you’re another Harry, eh?” the earl said with a smile, and pumped Hetty’s hand. He turned to Sir Harry. “As always, Harry, your timing is impeccable. Your sister and I were just having a rather heated discussion. It will be difficult, but if Kate agrees, we will turn the battleground back into a library.” The countess lightly poked her husband’s arm, and said, “My dearest Harry, I’m becoming quite accomplished with the foil. And now, just because I’m breeding, Julien must play the possessive overbearing husband. Don’t you think it dreadful of him?” “Breeding!
