The two exchanged looks with each other, and Dominic did his best to try and seem as though the exchange was a silly lover’s argument.Why is it now she has found her voice and in the most unhelpful way?
“So was it the ball or the masquerade?” Lady Evelyn asked, looking between her sister and him.
“It was both. The masquerade is what I count as our first meeting as that was when I first plucked up the courage to speak to her,” Dominic said before Lady Charlotte could dig them into a deeper hole. “Though my fiancée insists that we count it as the ball as that was when we first were introduced.”
“Yes, exactly.” Charlotte nodded. To Dominic’s relief, she affected a convincing look of shy affection as she gazed at him.
“The masquerade was quite some time ago. And you have been secretly courting all this time?” Lady Bellmore frowned. “Yet you have never danced together?”
“I have been away and missed much of the season,” Dominic explained — thankfully this was not a lie.
He had indeed missed a lot of the season, but that was by choice.I had no desire to be entrapped into marrying someone’s daughter.The irony that this had now happened was not lost on him.
There was a moment of silence as Lady Bellmore surveyed him with narrowed eyes. Lady Charlotte was still smiling amiably, and Lady Evelyn seemed utterly confused by the entire encounter.
Deciding that the best course of action would be to talk to his new fiancée and extricate them both from the situation, Dominic said, “Would you perhaps permit me a dance with my fiancée? I have been dying to speak to her all night, and well, now the cat is out of the proverbial bag…”
“Oh, yes. Of course.” Lady Bellmore gently pushed Lady Charlotte towards him. “Though, before you go, perhaps you would agree to join us for dinner. It would be wonderful to get to know you better.”
“Of course, dear Lady. When would suit you?” Dominic felt Lady Charlotte’s grip on his arm tighten.
“Tomorrow night. It will give me time to tell the Earl of your joyous news.” Lady Bellmore beamed at him.
“Mother, I am sure the Duke is far too busy to attend a dinner on such short notice.” Lady Charlotte glanced at Dominic.
“I am never too busy for family.” Dominic smiled at Lady Bellmore.Lady Charlotte is already trying to wriggle out of this charade, and that will be most inconvenient.“I shall see you tomorrow evening.”
“Wonderful. My Lady?” Dominic led Lady Charlotte to the dance floor and glanced around, ensuring that neither Lady Bellmore nor his grandmother were within earshot.
“Why on Earth did you say we were engaged?” Lady Charlotte demanded, anger and confusion on her face.
“Why did you say we were courting?” Dominic countered.
“I am so terribly sorry. I… I was just trying to protect my sister, and now, everything has spiralled out of control.” Lady Charlotte shook her head. “I will set everything straight as soon as this dance is over.”
The smell of lavender and violets washed over him as he took her hand in his, and they began to waltz. He took a steadying breath as he studied her face.
She was a head and shoulders shorter than him with pale skin and jet black hair. Her green eyes were full of surprise and embarrassment, but he recalled the fiery light in them as she’d traded barbs with Lady Bellmore. She wore an elegant gold necklace around her neck and had simple earrings.
“No, you won’t,” Dominic said, trying to focus on the task at hand.
“What? But my mother thinks we are engaged as does my sister. And they have invited you to dinner tomorrow night! This farce has gone far enough.” Lady Charlotte’s eyes widened in surprise and confusion.
I might as well ensure there are no other complications.Dominic asked, “Are you engaged to another? Or perhaps courting?”
“No, of course not. I have no wish to be married. And I had heard the same of you.” Lady Charlotte narrowed her eyes at him accusingly.
He shrugged. “I have done my best to avoid being chained to another.”
“Then I will tell mother the truth as soon as our dance is finished,” she said firmly.
“No, you will not,” he replied.
“Why do you keep saying that? Of course, I will. I have no desire to be engaged. Much less to you.” She wrinkled her nose in distaste.
Such strong feelings — she does not even know me?Dominic frowned at her. “That is hardly a gracious way to treat the man who just saved you from a rather embarrassing encounter with your mother.”
“Stepmother,” Lady Charlotte corrected sharply.
