Page 85 of Ruthless with a Rogue
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Livy
“TheMostHonorable,TheMarquess of Dunmore, The Right Honorable, The Viscountess Elliot, and The Honorable Miss Forester,” the major duomo boomed into the Almack’s assembly room.
Livy surveyed the room, a smile splitting her face.Her gaze caught on the orchestra playing in the balcony.She had made it.She had proved that she was someone within the ton, someone worthy, someone accepted.Take that, Mother.
“I see the dowager over there,” Derek murmured, indicating with a slight tilt of his head to the right.“She requested to see you once we arrived.”
Livy let herself be led to be presented to the Dowager Duchess of Ironcrest, then dropped into a curtsy alongside her aunt.
“Your Grace,” she and her aunt greeted together.
A small smile tilted the dowager’s lips, a conspiratorial glint in her dark eyes.She swept her gaze over Livy and nodded in approval.“You are the epitome of grace and beauty, my dear.”
“Thank you, Your Grace.”
The dowager’s gaze caught on her necklace.“What a stunning necklace.”She raised an eyebrow, glancing sideways at Derek, who was staring stonily out at the crowd of people dancing and conversing.
The warmth of a blush tingled on Livy’s cheeks, and she raised a hand to coast over the delicate pearls, trying to calm her racing heart.The dowager most definitely knows about the gift.How, Livy wasn’t sure.Livy also wasn’t certain how much Her Grace knew of Livy’s affections for Derek.She’d arrived at Franny’s just after Livy had mentioned that fact, but Livy hadn’t any idea if the woman had heard the admission.After that, they’d strictly spoken about the foundling home plans.
A wave of hope rippled through Livy’s chest.
“Walk with me, my dear.Let us have you be seen.”
Her aunt reached out and squeezed her hand, sending her a smile before stepping back.Flustered, Livy moved forward with the dowager.“I am honored to have your support, Your Grace.I cannot begin to express my gratitude.”
“Yes, you said as much at Lady Rutledge’s.I knew early on there was something special about you, and as I have mentioned before, I am rarely wrong.”The dowager surveyed the crowd as they made their way around the room.
Stares turned their way, fans coming up as people made hushed whispers to each other behind them.Livy’s stomach tightened in a knot.
“Keep smiling, dear.It is more important now than ever,” the dowager said without looking at her, looking down her nose at the guests.“And be prepared for a flurry of suitors vying for your hand.You have just been elevated in the eyes of society.As I have taken a liking to you, I will assist you in determining who is acceptable.”
The dowager turned them.“Ah, I see your Mr.Thorton.Shall we say our greetings?I think so.”
Livy tried to keep up, both with the conversation and stride as the dowager tugged her along.A gleam entered the dowager’s eyes.One Livy didn’t quite understand.
All that disappeared when she spotted Warren.He stood near a corner of the room, about twenty paces from them.He had the same beautiful brunette from the theater on his arm, but he was looking at Livy, jaw slack.Elation struck, swift and sharp.Her body hummed with it, flooding her veins and morphing into something even more heady.Triumph.Vindication.
They walked up to Warren, and he hastily disengaged from the young woman on his arm.He bowed low to the dowager.“Your Grace.”He turned to Livy and bowed.“Miss Forester.What a surprise to see you here.”
Surprise, my bottom.But given his parting words back at the theater, itwasa surprise to him.Livy lowered into an exaggerated curtsy, making sure her champagne skirts fluttered dramatically, the brilliants sparkling in the candlelight.
She met Warren’s gaze head-on.She was done with people underestimating her.Undervaluingher.She furrowed her brow and blinked in faux confusion.“What, like it poses difficulty?”
The dowager snorted softly beside her.She took Livy’s hand and firmly placed it on her arm, all the while staring at Warren.“Come dear, we must get you back to your aunt.I am sure she is being waylaid by gentlemen requesting an introduction.”
Warren’s gaze searched the ballroom until it settled on who Livy presumed must be her aunt.His eyes widened briefly, but then Livy was being whisked away by the dowager.
“Well done, Miss Forester.I hope that means what I think it means.”Livy’s gaze shot to the dowager’s.“Now, let us see if we can find someone who is truly suitable for you.”The glint was back.The dowager knew exactly who she had in mind for Livy.And Livy had a very good feeling, that someone was the man the dowager considered a grandson.
As they made their way back to her aunt, a knot tangled itself in Livy’s stomach, the familiar panic that had filled her the night of the theater resurfacing.It was as though she hadn’t realized she was surrounded by people, too distracted by the moment.But now reality was coming crashing down.She took in the group of gentlemen forming around her aunt.Her muscles tensed.She would be dancing with gentlemen she didn’t know soon.They would be touching her.
“You are in a ballroom full of people.As long as you do not leave the hall, none of them can harm you.”The dowager’s voice was firm, backed with steely resolve.
Nodding mutely, Livy took a deep breath and squared her shoulders.But then her steps faltered.How did the dowager know…?Her thoughts were cut short as they reached her aunt.
She’d have more time to dwell on that later.
