She pressed herself further into the shadows, willing her heartbeat to quiet, but it refused. How couldn't she have known?!
One gentleman raised his glass. "Come, then. Tell us about your return. Have you already resumed your old pursuits?"
Anthony looked almost bored. "I have been back scarcely a fortnight."
"And?"
He shrugged. "And London remains London."
"That is not an answer."
"It is the only one you are getting."
"Come now," The gentleman grinned. "Surely you haven't forgotten how many ladies you have conquered."
Anthony's eyes narrowed faintly. "I do not keep a ledger."
"You ought to."
"Why?"
"So we may verify the stories."
"Which story?"
"The one that you have managed to charm nearly every respectable lady in London."
Anthony laughed softly. "Nearly?"
One of the men immediately pointed his glass at him. "My lady is certainly not among them."
Anthony turned toward him, a slow grin on his face. "Then perhaps she has better taste than I gave her credit for."
