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it is no more than a formality.”
    “You are no longer young, certainly,” he agreed, with an appraising scrutiny of her face, “but according to the terms of the legal agreement, I am in complete control of your doings. I do not mean to treat the matter so lightly as your last guardian did.”
    “I will give you very little trouble. Just have my checques mailed to me quarterly on time, and we shall rub along tolerably well.”
    “I have been meaning to speak to you about your allowance,” he said at once, taking up a seat across from her and examining his nails with interest. Then he polished them against his lapel and yawned behind raised fingers. “These late nights are the very devil, are they not? I see you too are showing the effects of them. When did you grow those circles under your eyes, Lady Barbara?”
    “At the same time as I grew my wrinkles and gray hair. A dozen or so years ago. What is it you meant to say about my allowance?” She straightened her shoulders and lifted her chin in a fit of pique, for she knew very well she had been having too many late nights, and their effect was beginning to show. Still, the light was behind her, and she could not believe she was so hagged as to make that remark apt.
    “You’re overdrawn. There won’t be any allowance this quarter,” he answered blandly.
    “No allowance? Don’t be absurd. I am only overdrawn a few hundred pounds. How should I jog along on no money?”
    “Actually, you are overdrawn several hundreds—well into the next quarter’s installment as well. That phaeton, I fancy, is the culprit, and the team that draws it. No, on second thought, you could not have paid much for that pair of lame screws I see in the park.”
    The team spoken of were not to her taste. Too leather-mouthed for a lady to control with any ease. Gentz had purchased them for her, and paid a handsome price too, but she said none of this. “I am paying for the phaeton by installments, Clivedon, and the grays were selected and paid for by myself.”
    “I have paid off the full price of the phaeton. I dislike to see you run into debt.”
    “You did what ?” she asked, jumping to her feet.
    “Paid for the phaeton. It is quite a common custom to pay for one’s purchases. I can’t think why you are excited about it.”
    “I didn’t intend paying cash. Oh, what a mess you’ve made of things already. You must give me an advance from the next quarter’s money, then. I need a new ball gown this very week.”
    “There will be no advances, Lady Barbara. You must learn to cut your coat to fit the cloth, like everyone else.”
    She inhaled a deep breath and resumed her seat. Her credit was good; she wouldn’t make a fuss about this. As he had charge of her monies, she must humor him. He spoke on. “I have taken the liberty, as well, of sending a note around to the more stylish modistes that I do not wish them to extend you credit,” he added.
    “You take a great deal of liberty, sir!” she answered hotly.
    “I mean to employ the full prerogative of guiding my charge, Lady Barbara,” he answered with a smile.
    “And I wish you will stop calling me Lady Barbara every minute. Call me Babe. Everyone does.”
    “It is a sad comment on your dignity that you allow everyone to be so free with you. I will expect more discretion, now that your behavior will reflect somewhat on myself.”
    Her dark eyes narrowed dangerously, and she was aware of a rising heat in her blood. “Don’t think to exercise this prerogative you speak of as though I were a child, sir. I am very much accustomed to being my own mistress. I will behave exactly as I always have, and you may go to the devil.”
    “Eventually, no doubt, but in the interim I shall attempt to keep you from doing likewise.” He arose languidly and looked at her, in a fairly disinterested way.
    “Are you ready to leave? I’ll take you to Lady Graham now.”
    “Lady Graham?” she asked. “I don’t want to visit that old