Lady Rowena's Ruin. Carol Townend

      Rowena caught one of the grooms grinning her way and stepped back smartly. ‘I think not.’

      ‘Pity.’

      Rowena backed into Lily. Eric’s shameless flirting was making it hard to breathe. ‘Sir, you overwhelm me. We have not yet agreed we will actually marry. We should renew our acquaintance first.’

      He drew back, expression sobering. ‘My apologies.’ He turned to his horse to check the girth and Rowena was once again able to breathe. ‘I pray you will agree. Rowena, I swear that if you accept me, I shall do my utmost to make a good husband.’

      Rowena gripped Lily’s bridle. She couldn’t help thinking about Helvise and it was on the tip of her tongue to ask him whether he considered being a faithful husband was a necessary part of marriage, but she said nothing. It was far too leading a question and their renewed acquaintance was of too short a duration for her to risk posing it. She wished she knew the answer though, because she really thought she could marry him. This was Eric, after all. Except, a sneaking fear lingered, she didn’t want to become betrothed to a man who already had a lover. She had done it once before and, although her heart hadn’t been engaged, it had caused no end of trouble.

      Spirits sinking, she stared at Eric. She didn’t think she could marry him if she had to share him. Her pulse speeded up. Apart from his tendency to flirt with every woman he met, the idea of marrying him was becoming more alluring by the moment.

      Alard appeared at the head of the steps, her cloak over his arm. ‘Here you are, my lady,’ he said, hurrying over. ‘I brought your gloves too.’