FOUR
DonataReynolds, Dowager Marchioness of Cambourne, grabbed the head of her cane andwatched with interest as a small slight girl slid to a halt next to the couchwhere the Dowager sat. The girl was dressed plainly, although stillfashionably, in a watered blue gray silk gown trimmed in dark lace. She tookseveral deep breaths and patted her hair. The girl was either runningfrom a lover ortoa lover. Intrigued, Donata leanedforward.
The girl’shand flew to her coiffure, or rather what was left of it. She took one curl andpinned it back up, only to have another fall down and take its place.Donata heard an unladylike curse erupt from her lips.
Damnation!
The girlproceeded to stab another pin viciously at the back of her head, as if attemptingto kill something hidden there. The Dowager coughed politelyto announce her presence.
Wide grayeyes locked with hers in horror. No, not gray. The girl’s eyescaught the shimmer of the candlelight, reminding Donata of opals. Herface flushed red and her mouth gaped open. Her brow wrinkled inconcentration as she worked on a plausible excuse for her behavior.Donata nearly clapped in delight. Finally! Someone interesting totalk to!
Cocking aneyebrow, Donata said in her most severe tone, “Running from an amorous suitorare you?”
The girlsucked in her breath and flushed a deeper shade of red, which seemed to seepdown the ivory skin of her most generous bosom. Quite well endowedfor such a small woman. The girl’s hair was rather forcefully restrained,but was a lovely chestnut and exceptionally curly. Altogetherordinary looking, attractive but certainly no competition for the beauties thatcrowded Lady Dobson’s ballroom, Donata none the less sensed somethingsparklingabout the girl in front of her.
“No, mylady.” The girl had the sense to curtsy. “I beg your pardon.I didn’t see you sitting there. Forgive my intrusion.” Ready to runfrom Donata at the slightest censure, she bit her lip and looked up at theceiling, unsure as how to proceed. She reminded the Dowager of a vexedkitten.
“Here nowmiss, sit next to me and catch your breath. I am sure your mother willfind you directly. I shan’t tell you know.” The Dowager smiled at her.Who was this child? Positive she knew every dull virgin of age to marryin London, Donata pondered who this child was.Perhaps that’s why Idon’t know of her, for this girl does not strike me as dull.
The girl satcarefully next to Donata. “I’m here with my uncle, Lord Burke.”
Donata hidher distaste as the girl mentioned Lord Oliver Burke. She did not knowthe man personally, but she knew his reputation. The man was a dullwitted glutton, known for gambling away his late wife’s substantialfortune. He was related, distantly, to Lady Dobson. She did notknow Lord Burke had a niece.
“Isee. How are you acquainted with Lady Dobson?”
Donatanearly laughed out loud at the expression on the girl’s face at the mention ofAgnes Dobson. The girl’s mouth curled as if she sucked on a lemon.
“Lady Dobsonis kind enough to sponsor me for my Season. My uncle wishes that I find asuitable husband.” She didn’t sound grateful, as most girls would be, athaving a sponsor who was well known in theton.
“I was notaware Lord Burke even possessed a niece.”
“I wish hedid not possess one as well.” The girl clapped her hand over her mouthand looked at Donata in horror. “My lady, I apologize. I –“
Donatapatted her hand. “It’s all right my child.” Donata peered ather. “You do not sound happy about the prospect of a husband. Or isit just the sponsorship of Lady Dobson that you object to?”
The girltook a deep breath, which sighed out of her. Clearly, the child was distressed.
“Whatis your name, my dear?”
“AlexandraDunforth, my lady.”
“WellAlexandra Dunforth, if I may ask, what has caused you to run into Lady Dobson’sballroom with your hair coming down?”
MissDunforth reached up anxiously, tucking in several stray curls. “Nothingyou would be interested in madam, except that my hair does not appreciate theconfinement of pins.” She looked up and her nose wrinkled. “Ohdear, there’s my uncle and Lady Dobson.” It sounded as if she wereaccusing the duo of murder.
Anobese man plodded his way across the polished parquet floor towards Miss Dunforth,with Lady Dobson following in his wake. Donata regarded her hostess witha bland, superior expression. Donata did not care for Agnes Dobson,finding the woman to be a social climbing harpy who ruined the reputations ofthose she deemed unworthy for sport. Lady Dobson was afraid ofDonata. Donata thought that the only bit of wisdom the woman everdisplayed.
Donataturned her attention to Lord Burke and disliked him on sight. The cravathe wore was tied in a bumbling knot, his mustache much too waxed and hiswaistcoat! Donata could see a food stain, something dark, spotting theleft side.
Lord Burkestopped directly in front of Miss Dunforth. “Alexandra! Where have youbeen? Lady Dobson told me you disappeared. You are so dullyou fade right into the woodwork. It’s likely she just didn’t noticeyou.” The beady eyes bored down on Miss Dunforth.
Donatawanted to swat the man with her cane. What a rude and vulgar man!Lord Burke was a brilliant example of overbreeding in the ton.
Lady Dobsonwinced as she noticed Donata and nudged Lord Burke.
He nudgedher back with an irritated look on his face.
Lady Dobsonthrust her chin, so pointed it could likely cut glass, in the direction ofDonata. “Lord Burke, may I present the Dowager Marchioness of Cambourne,Lady Reynolds.” Lady Dobson curtsied.
