Page 61 of Lady Fiona's Tall, Dark Folly
He understood Fifi wished to ease in to the introduction so he stood allowing the older woman to absorb the announcement of his given name.
Her mother narrowed her eyes, an avaricious light dawning there. "Rory. Good name. Fletcher... Fletcher."
"Rory and I met at your sister's."
"Alice. She gives those frolics. You went?" She shot her daughter a forbidding look.
"I did."
"I told you not to. Alice never liked me. She wanted your father for herself."
Fifi locked her gaze on Rory's and shook her head.
"Did you like the frolic, Rory Fletcher?" Laughing, the woman winked at him and began to unbutton his waistcoat. He covered her hands with his to stop her.
She glared at him. "You must not touch me. My husband is very jealous. He will punish you."
"Madame, you will not undo my clothing."
"Ouuu, so mighty."
Fifi turned toward the door. "We will return when you are more civil, Mama."
"You leave?" She rushed forward and grabbed Fifi's arm. "You cannot!"
Fifi shrugged her off. "We will return, I say.”
"The hell you will. You will not take this marvelous man away. He ismine!" She lunged to grab Rory's arm.
"Madame, I beg of you, do unhand me." He peeled her fingers away.
Porter was right behind her.
"You cannot leave. You have lied to me. Lied!"
"Mama, that is not true."
"This is not any Rory Fletcher. I know him. I do! I recognize the eyes. Oh, yes. Grey, dove grey. Yes...and the jaw. You!" She pointed a finger at him, her dark eyes wild with recognition. "You're Charlton! Charlton!"
"It's time to go, Fifi," he told her and stepped around her mother to take Fee's hand.
The woman pounced at him.
Porter caught her by the upper arms.
Rory gathered Fifi close.
The nurse maid ran toward her charge.
But the Countess bared her teeth and nails and ripped at the nurse's face. Pritchard screamed. Porter wrapped both arms around his charge and hauled her backward. But she bucked and whirled on him.
Rory pulled Fifi right behind him, headed for the stairs.
"You devil!" He heard the woman scream. "I will have you! You ruined us. You and your oh-so-pure little wife. The bitch. He could have had her. Would have. Would’ve been happy too. But you had to ruin that."
Rory took the stairs, Fifi close. The scuffling of the footman met his ears.
At once, Fifi fell against him and she stumbled against the bannister.
