Page 41 of When a Marquis Chooses a Bride
“To save his life,” Grace replied grimly. “His brilliant plan to chaperone you girls this evening was to have me dance every set with him so he could keep track of you.”
Charlotte frowned slightly. “But you like dancing with Matt.”
“Under normal circumstances I adore dancing with him. Yet not when he is trying to stand guard over any of you. I live in trepidation of what he would decide was a reasonable recourse if a gentleman was too close to you or held your gaze a moment too long. It quite spoilt my enjoyment.” Grace had been speaking to all of them, but now she turned to Dotty. “I understand you are engaged to Merton for the supper dance?”
She nodded, hoping it wasn’t a problem. She liked dancing with Merton every bit as much as Grace seemed to enjoy dancing with her husband. “Yes, I am.”
“Lady Merton has asked you to join her for supper.”
That was good thinking on someone’s part. If Dotty had to sit through another supper with Matt glaring at Merton, she would not be responsible for her actions. She also wished to hear about the other kitten and more about Tom. Although she knew they would be treated well, she liked to keep track of her charges.
She glanced at the older woman. “Thank you, my lady.”
The supper dance was another waltz, and she wanted nothing more than to sink into Merton’s arms.
When the dance concluded, he escorted her to his mother and they went down to supper. After seating them as far away from the Worthington table as possible, Merton commandeered a footman and returned with lobster patties, salmon poached in champagne, truffled guinea-fowl, stuffed pigeon’s eggs, a salad, creams, tarts, and a small trifle.
His hand touched hers as he handed her a glass of champagne, causing the tingling to start again.
“I tried to procure all the foods you seemed to like the last time.”
Amazed that he had remembered, she grinned, then took a small sip of wine. “Thank you, my lord.”
Carriage drives, two waltzes, now this. Was it possible Merton was courting her? If he was, she would need to decide what her feelings for him were.
He had other dishes placed before his mother.
“Thank you, my dear. I am sure I shall like all of it.” Lady Merton looked over at Dotty. “How are you enjoying your Season so far, Dorothea?”
“Very much, my lady. It is everything I’d hoped it would be.” Dotty paused for a moment. “Could you please tell me how Camille is doing?”
Lady Merton’s expressive light blue eyes sparkled. “She is the light of my life. She always seems to know when I want her and is there with me.”
Dom took the seat on the other side of Dotty at the small round table. Under the guise of taking a bite of food, she slipped a glance in his direction and found him doing the same. His lips tilted up as he lifted the champagne glass to his mouth.
At that exact moment, when she’d been paying no attention at all to the conversation, Lady Merton asked, “Do you not agree, Miss Stern?”
Warmth rose in her cheeks. “I’m sorry—”
“Mama,” Merton interpolated, “is that Lady Bellamny who just walked in?”
Dotty breathed a sigh of relief and flashed him a quick smile as his mother turned toward the door.
“Yes, I believe it is. I shall have to find her later. We used to be close friends at school.”
“I thought I remembered something of the sort,” he murmured.
Lady Merton looked at Dotty and Merton. “Dominic, I understand we have a new addition to the household.”
“We do indeed. His name is Tom. Miss Stern saved him today.”
Warmth crept back into Dotty’s face as Merton told his mother how it came about and what happened later with the bath. “I hope you do not mind, my lady?”
“Of course not. It is a very large house. I doubt one little boy will be much trouble.”
Dotty prayed Tom would settle in quickly. “I may know where we can find some of the information about him. At least who he has been with recently. Two of Grace’s friends, Lady Evesham and Lady Rutherford, have opened an orphanage and have learned a great deal about children on the street.”
“I don’t think he’s been alone,” Merton said. “He mentioned someone else to me. I shall tell you when you come over tomorrow.”
