Page 5 of Courting Scandal With The Duke
The woman he actually had been seeking was now standing near the orchestra—Lady Cowper, one of Almack’s Lady Patronesses. ‘Lady Cowper promised me some introductionsthis evening.’
Julian grinned. ‘I bet a shilling to a pound you end up dancing with her.’
He didn’t have to say who theherwas that he meant.
‘Nonsense.’ Whoever the woman in red was, she was beyond the pale as far as Xavier was concerned. He didn’t have to meet her to know that she was one of those sorts of women who did anything to get attention.
Like his stepmother.
And look how that had turned out.
‘What on earth were you thinking?’ Lenore’s fingers fluttered at her throat, touching her necklace, then flew to her waist. Like little sparrows, her hands never stilled, and it was worse when she was anxious.
Oh, my. Aunt Lenore was more agitated than Barbara had ever seen her before. She hadn’t actually thought it was possible.
‘What do you mean?’ Barbara asked. She knew, of course, but she could play the innocent with the best of them. When needed.
‘Red. I know I told you to avoid red at all costs.’
‘Red?’ Barbara set her face in a picture of puzzlement.
‘Your gown. It is red.’
‘Nonsense. The dressmaker assured me that this gown is geranium.’
Fingers twisted her fan. ‘Geraniumisred,’ Aunt Lenore hissed, her glance darting hither and yon, clearly fearing they would be overheard. ‘Whatever are we to do now? You are quite ruined. Your father will neverforgive me for allowing you to make such a spectacle of yourself.’
‘Oh, dear.’ Barbara tried to keep her smile pleasant, but she could not help feeling a little spurt triumph. Goal one, accomplished. She had put herself beyond the pale as far as capitalSSociety was concerned and could now relax and enjoy London exactly as she pleased. The real world awaited.
The gentleman who had glared at her when he first saw her, a man of imposing height and strong features of around thirty, was once more glancing her way. Not boldly. Not covertly either. A passing cold stare from icy blue eyes, pausing for little more than a fraction of a second. A tingle ran across her shoulders. In recognition? No. For she did not know him. But something about the way he looked at her seemed to cause a visceral reaction on her skin.
He had said something as she entered room that had made people standing near him turn their backs on her.
He clearly did not like what he saw.
Well, she did not think much of him either.
Too stern, in a striking sort of way.
Too judgemental.
Too cold.
Too…attractive?
How could such a stern looking man be attractive? But then given her own lofty height, she did like a man who was tall.
Fluttering fingers curled around Barbara’s wrist, drawing her attention back to herAunt. There was kindness in those muddy greenish-brown eyes. Sympathy.
Guilt washed through Barbara. Aunt Lenore had tried her best, after all. She snapped her fan shut, quite happy to make a rapid retreat and save her Aunt from further embarrassment, for this entrance of hers was not about Aunt Lenore. It was about Father. And his interminable plans. ‘I am sorry. I seem to have made a mess of things. Let us go, and quickly.’
Aunt Lenore’s grip tightened. ‘Certainly not. We Lowells have more gumption than that.’
Barbara stared at her, astonished by the unexpected bravado. And the opportunity was lost. A gentleman in the regulation black tailcoat, starched white neckerchief and satin knee breeches was bowing to her aunt.
‘Miss Lowell. How delightful to see you here at Almack’s. You have not graced us with your presence for some considerable time.’
‘Mr Elton, how kind of you to remember me,’ Aunt Lenore said. ‘May I present you to my great-niece, Dowager Countess of Lipsweiger and Upsal. This is Mr Paul Elton, my dear. A great friend of our Prince Regent.’
