Page 8 of Kissed By a Scoundrel
“Thank you, Lucy.” Katie took a few sips of the cool, sweet drink, grateful for her friends.
Lord Soren introduced himself to Lucy, who blushed prettily and curtsied.
Paula edged closer to her. “Katie, you’re still pale. Perhaps we should get Frankie.”
“No. Please, I’m feeling better. It was just—” Katie stopped talking as she spotted Frankie and Thomas walking toward them.
“Katie, are you all right?” Thomas asked, his face etched with concern.
“Yes, just the heat of the room.” She gave them a wobbly smile.
Thomas looked as though he didn’t believe her. He turned to Lord Soren and said, “Slice, thank you for your assistance.”
Katie peered up at her hero, confused. Slice?
“You are most welcome, Latham. I have just had the pleasure of meeting your sister, Miss Latham, and her cousin, Miss Paula Gowans, and friend, Miss Lucy Jeffreys. I hope you can forgive my social gaffe. I hastily introduced myself to your sister when I realized she appeared to be in distress,” Lord Soren returned. “And with the help of Miss Gowans, I merely assisted her to a seat.” He turned to Katie and smiled sympathetically. “I am pleased to see the color has returned to your face, Miss Latham.”
“Thank you for your assistance, Lord Soren. I—I’m not quite sure what I would have done without it."
"I would like to thank you as well,” Paula added.
“You swooped in and rescued her just like a hero from a grand romantic novel,” Lucy said with a sigh.
Katie couldn’t help but smile at Lucy’s comment. Paula rolled her eyes.
“Perhaps we should get you home,” Frankie suggested. “Paula, maybe you can fetch Katie’s mother,” she said, turning to Katie’s cousin. “I saw her on her way to the ladies’ retiring room with your mother just before Thomas and I made our way over here.”
“Of course,” Paula said with a quick nod.
Katie shook her head. “No. I’m feeling much better,” she insisted. “Please, I don’t want Mama or Aunt Jane to worry. Besides, I’ve managed to draw enough attention to myself.” She didn’t need hundreds of eyes on her as she left the ball so soon. Luckily, the orchestra began warming up the first notes of a dance.
“If there is anything I can do to repay your kindness, I will try,” Katie said, looking up at Lord Soren.
“There is. I wonder if you would do me the honor of a dance, once you feel a little rested, Miss Latham. Perhaps the next waltz. The pace is much calmer than some of the other dances, and it might allow us to become better acquainted.”
The thumping of a cane on the polished wood floor alerted them to the approach of the Dowager Duchess of Clarence. The elderly woman was being escorted by Sir Jonathan Nelson, the handsome young gentleman who was talking to Lord Soren earlier.
“Lord Soren, it seems you have beaten me to the introductions and stolen my thunder,” the dowager said in a mock-austere voice.
Katie could swear she saw a twinkle in the elderly woman’s eyes.
“Miss Latham, Miss Gowans, and Miss Jeffreys, allow me to introduce you to Sir Jonathan Nelson.”
Lucy smiled at the handsome gentleman, whereas Paula’s greeting was north of chilly. Katie wondered if her cousin was still bristling from the “brazen smile” Jonathan had tossed her way earlier or perhaps the rumor about his many mistresses.
Katie took another sip of her lemonade. She was truly feeling better. It was the first time she had gotten through an episode without needing to lie down for an hour. The only reason for the difference, that she could think of, was the presence of Lord Soren, who despite his gallantry, seemed just as mysterious to her as he had from the moment her eyes had met his across the ballroom floor.
The strands of a waltz began, and people began moving around them, making their way to the dance floor.
“I believe this is our dance," Sir Nelson said to the duchess. “Ladies, Soren, Latham. He grinned as he turned to everyone present.
Katie couldn’t quite put her finger on it, but she could have sworn Sir Nelson’s smile turned almost mocking as his eyes seemed to clash with Paula’s cool-eyed glare.
She’d have to ask her cousin about it later.
“You are quite right, kind sir,” the dowager said. With unexpected deftness, she deposited her cane next to the chair and took Sir Nelson’s extended arm.
“If you feel more yourself, Miss Latham, I should like to claim that dance,” Lord Soren said, holding out his arm.
