On his way out, he spotted Miss Woodchurch standing off to one side by herself. He thought she looked quite lovely in a silky blue gown.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
ONCELORDABBOTTtook his leave, others began to leave, too, probably rushing home to put a compress on their ears. Hattie was eager to make her exit as well—she desperately needed some air. She was grateful for the experience, she truly was...but as the evening had gone on, she’d realized with increasing urgency that she was out of place in this house. Hardly anyone but Lord and Lady Iddesleigh had spoken to her. Gazes moved past her like she was invisible to the eye. No one knew her, and no one cared to know her, obviously.
Daniel, on the other hand, had attracted many pairs of eyes as he’d sauntered around the salon, introducing himself to women as if he was a prince here, and not the pauper he truly was. The men looked at him askance, the women looked at him with interest. His saving grace was that he was a man, and a handsome one at that.
Hattie had no saving graces.
She thought she’d at least been helpful to Flora. It had been terribly uncomfortable watching her friend squirm in the presence of Lord Abbott. And it was so unlike Flora—she’d always been self-assured and confident. But Lord Abbott’s hazel gaze had somehow reduced her to ash.
When Mrs. Forsythe had asked everyone to repair to the music room, Flora had grabbed Hattie’s elbow, squeezing so hard she’d probably left a bruise. “Howcouldyou?” she whispered hotly as Daniel joined them, another port in hand.
“How could I what?” Hattie asked, confused, pulling her glove up from where it had slipped with Flora’s rough handling.
“Youtold me to sayHonorine. Unrequited love, Hattie? I sounded like a fool.”
Daniel laughed with surprise at Flora’s pique.
“What are you laughing at?” Flora hissed.
“Your charming self,” Daniel said with a bow.
“Daniel!” Hattie pulled Flora away from him. “I’m so sorry, Flora. It was a very interesting book and I thought—”
“Interesting!What is the matter with you? I don’t wantinteresting, I want charming! You ruined everything!” She flounced off to rejoin her parents.
Hattie rubbed her elbow. “You’ll cost me my position,” she said as Daniel sidled up to her.
“What sort of position is it that requires you to take such condescension? You’re better than that.” But his words belied the curious look of amusement in his eyes as he smiled after Flora. “That one’s easily riled, isn’t she?”
Hattie stepped in front of him so that he’d have to look at her instead of Flora. “You may think the position beneath me, but it’s the only way I have of leaving our father’s house. Please don’t ruin it for me.”
Daniel rolled his eyes. “I haven’t done anything.” He walked away from her, following Miss Cupperson across the room.
Hattie didn’t see her brother again after that, and neither had she wanted to. But now that the guests were beginning to disperse, she was looking everywhere for him. She could imagine nothing worse than a pair of Woodchurch siblings being the last people to leave, especially when Mrs. Forsythe kept looking at her as if she was some misplaced poor relation she ought to know.
Wherewashe?
As one of the last few carriages pulled away from the curb, Hattie finally had to accept that he’d left without her. She was seething with fury, but she painted a smile on her face and thanked the hosts. She avoided Lord and Lady Iddesleigh as she collected her cloak, intending to march home while wildly hoping she was not accosted or harmed. Howdarehe care so little for her safety?
She began striding down the street, too embarrassed to be seen lingering like a beggar as the last carriages departed. But before she reached the corner, she heard a whistle. That was followed by her brother calling her name. She stopped walking and turned around. There was a hansom cab just down the street. Daniel was standing on the running board, hanging on with one hand to the carriage. “Hat! Over here!” he shouted at her, waving his arm overhead, as if they were at a country fair and the swine show was about to start.
She debated for a moment if she would even deign to answer his bray. But the thought of walking across London at this time of night was too fright inducing to be borne. Her cheeks were burning with indignation, but she held her head high, and walked to the waiting cab.
But as she neared it, she realized her brother was not alone. Two of his companions—where hadtheycome from?—were squeezed into an interior meant only for two. She thought surely they would disembark, but no, they eyed her like hungry wolves, laughing together as if this were all some sort of jest.
“What are you doing here?” she demanded.
“What do you mean? I’ve come to fetch you home, obviously,” Daniel said. He patted his lap. “You didn’t think I’d leave you in that pit of vipers, did you?”
“It was not a pit of vipers. You can’t deny it was a lovely evening.”
One of Daniel’s companions, whom her brother had yet to introduce, snickered.
“I tolerated it. Come on,” Daniel said. He patted his lap again.
She gaped at him. “You can’t be serious.”
