Lord Burkegave a perplexed look as the words took their time filtering through whatDonata assumed was a brain the size of a pea-hen’s. Remembering hismanners at last, Burke bowed deeply to her, stretching his waistcoat to itslimits. Donata thought for a moment his enormous girth would split thefabric, sending the brass buttons flying into her face. She sighed withrelief when he straightened.
Lord Burkelurched forward, grabbing Miss Dunforth’s arm, pulling her from thecouch. Clearly, Miss Dunforth needed a friend and Donata wasever taking in strays.
“LordBurke.” Donata inclined her regal head and used her most coldly superiortone, “I was just telling thedelightfulMiss Dunforth that she must comefor tea.
MissDunforth gave a surprised look.
Lady Dobsoncleared her throat.
“Mygranddaughter is of the same age and I feel certain they have much incommon. I also find Miss Dunforth exceedingly entertaining. She isa treasure.”
Lord Burke gaveDonata an interested look. Lady Dobson elbowed him. Apparently,Lord Burke did not find his niece charming. The dumbfounded look on hisface reflected his surprise that anyone did. All the more reason for Donata tochampion Miss Dunforth.
“She wouldbe most happy to!” Lady Dobson answered before Lord Burke opened hismouth. She grinned like an idiot at Donata.
Donatawanted to swat the turban off of Lady Dobson’s head with her cane. Shedidn’t think she could reach it though. Lord, but she hated getting old.
Withoutwaiting for Lord Burke to agree, since she would over rule him at any rateDonata said, “Wonderful. I will send my coach for her. Tomorrowperhaps?”
Lord Burkeseemed about to say something, thought better of it and bowed formally. MissDunforth murmured her goodbye, surprise clearly written on her face. Thegirl had no idea, thought Donata, of the powerful ally she had justmade.
Lord Burkegrabbed Miss Dunforth by the arm and dragged her across the ballroom. AsDonata watched them, a man darted from an alcove and followed. He wasslender and impeccably dressed. His hair was light wheat in color.Donata blinked, shocked by a face she hadn’t seen in years. When sheopened her eyes, the man had disappeared.
She must bemistaken or possibly her eyes were playing tricks on her. A trickle ofanxiety ran down her spine. There was no mistaking the hair. It wasthe same color as her daughter-in-law’s.
***
OdiousOliver pinched Alexandra’s arm and shook her slightly.
“Stop ituncle! You are hurting me.” She tried to pull her arm out of hisgrasp.
“Look atyou! What have you been doing?” His tone was accusatory as he tookin her flushed features and her hair. Sweat dripped from her uncle’s broad browand down his puffed, reddened cheeks. Spittle sat in the corner ofhis mouth. A vision of a rabid dog she had seen once ran throughAlexandra’s mind.
“Nothing,Uncle. I lost a pin from my hair, then, another fell out. I went tothe Ladies Necessary Room to fix it, but I fear I didn’t do a very good job.”
Her unclesnorted. “That’s an understatement. You look like you have a rat’s neston your head.” He chuckled at his joke. “No matter. Yoursuitor has arrived. Finally. He wishes to meet you.”
Lady Dobsonand her purple turban swayed. She clucked her tongue and gave Alexandra alook of disapproval.
“Agnes, Ithank you for your assistance tonight, as you can see I am overburdened withthe girl.” Her uncle mopped his brow with his free hand, wiping it on histrousers.
“How sheattracted the interest of the Dowager Marchioness I will never know. Whatcould they possibly have to talk about?” Lady Dobson shook her head indisgust and wandered towards a group of women who were gesturing to her.
Uncle Oliverlooked at Alexandra with skepticism. “How did you insinuate yourself withsuch a woman? What have you said to her?”
Alexandrapulled her arm from his grasp. “Whatever would I tell her? That my uncleis forcing me to marry?”
Her unclesnorted and eyed her with avid dislike. “Don’t get lippy with megirl. I am merely doing my duty as your guardian. You should belucky I don’t throw you into the streets to beg for food. Besides, Idoubt that wrinkled aristocrat could care less who you married.”
Alexandraswallowed the panic that rose at the truth in his words. She liftedher chin.
“And youwill marry. If you wish to show your love for that ancient group ofretainers you so adore. If you want to save that pile of manure you call a farmin Hampshire.”
Fear welledin her throat. Possibly this mysterious suitor would find her wanting anddecide to call off the arrangement. Alexandra was halfwayacross the floor, towed by her uncle like a tiny boat being pulled along in afrigate’s wake when the connection hit her and stopped her cold in hertracks. The Dowager Marchioness was thegrandmotherof SatanReynolds!
“Come along,Alexandra! Don’t dawdle. What’s wrong with you? Have you beendrinking?”
“No! I’mjust a little tired.” Her uncle had certainly been drinking though.The fat man smelled of wine and she saw a purple line just underneath hismustache.
