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irresistible, but an early tendency towards sarcasm had deepened over the years, his caustic tongue alienating those few gentlemen in Society willing to befriend him despite his unfortunate birth. His unpopularity was increased by his immutable refusal to approve applicants for the hand of his sister. The contempt and finality with which he dismissed all comers, even gentlemen of breeding and fortune, had driven three stricken and insulted admirers to call him out. They had all recovered, but the speed and ease with which they were vanquished had discouraged others. And although he was by this time as disliked as he was despised, men trod softly around Mr. August Falcon.
    â€œAn I am truly glad to see you,” said Naomi, twinkling at him, “’tis because I am as gracious as you are odious. And you must not make a repulsive response, dear August, for Katrina has but now been vowing how much you love me.”
    He raised one eyebrow and said dryly, “My sister has a soft area of the brain that tends to interfere with her occasional common sense.” He took the cup an amused Katrina handed him, and went on: “I believe in Ovid one may read that ‘love is a kind of warfare.’ Since I have no more use for the one than for the other, you may draw your own conclusions, Lady Lutonville. I trust you will not fall into a decline.”
    â€œAlas,” moaned Naomi, throwing one hand to her brow despairingly. “All is lost! I must put a period to my wretched existence. Woe is me! Though, I guessed how t’would be.”
    â€œDid you. I should like to know how you also guessed that I was coming up behind you just now. Am I allowed a scone?”
    Katrina scolded that he did not deserve one. But Naomi chuckled and passed the plate, telling him that guessing had played no part in her remark. “I knew you were coming because the eyes of every woman in the room turned this way.”
    â€œDo you mean to talk nonsense,” he said with disgust, “I shall leave you.”
    She laughed. “You have only to look about you for confirmation of my ‘nonsense.’”
    He had no need to do so. His riding habit of dark grey broadcloth might have been plain on another man but served only to accent the commanding height and perfect physique that were allied to features as handsome as his sister’s were beautiful. He had the same high and broad cheekbones and thin chiselled nose. Unlike Katrina’s, his complexion was inclined to be sallow, but the dark blue eyes were as brilliant and thickly lashed and had the same faintly alien slant. The resemblance ended there, however, for his lips were thinner, his flaring black brows and stubborn chin betrayed a tempestuous nature, and his expression was cold and forbidding. He had been on the Town since he was nineteen, and the ensuing ten years had made him quite aware of his power over the fair sex. He selected his paramours with care, often from the dancers of the Opera, and none lasted longer than six months. But for the more cultured ladies, whose flirtatious and admiring glances invariably followed him, he had only scorn.
    â€œDo not tease him, dearest,” pleaded Katrina, passing her brother the jam pot. “You will put him out of humour.”
    â€œGoodness me! Are you in humour, August? You might have told me so.”
    â€œYou have the disposition of a shrew, my lady,” he riposted. “Do but continue along the same lines and you may yet win me.”
    Both ladies laughed merrily. Naomi said, “No, Trina is right. I must not tease you, for truly I am very glad to see you both. So glad in fact, that I mean to kidnap you away to Collington and will hear no arguments, sirrah, so you had as lief say yes at once!”
    â€œNo. And do not be giving yourself airs. You may be the most talked-about heiress in London Town, but you’re still a grubby little brat to me! And your conversation when I came up just