“Miss,” Polly mumbled, “stop your fidgeting while I get this last comb in place.”
Dotty ceased trying to see how her hair was coming along and sat still until her maid stepped back.
“There now.” Polly canted a second mirror. “Look all you like.”
Finally, Dotty was able to make out the elaborate knot of coils and braids. “It is lovely. Where did you learn to do that?”
Polly grinned widely. “We looked at one of those magazines. May didn’t think I could do it. My only regret is that she won’t ever see it.”
“Well”—Dotty barely kept herself from laughing—“my hair has never looked so elegant.”
Her maid handed Dotty a flat square case. “This is from his lordship. He asked if you’d do him the honor of wearing it.”
“Did Lady Merton leave something? She said she was going to.”
“Yes, miss. A pair of earbobs. I’ll get them next.”
Dotty took the case, opened it, and blinked at the delicate gold necklace set with diamonds. “Oh dear. I have never seen anything so exquisite.”
Polly handed her the earrings, also diamonds.
“How perfect they are with this gown.” Dotty fixed them to her ears.
She drew her gloves on, while Polly placed a spangled shawl over her shoulders, then handed her a painted fan and a reticule in the same fabric as her gown.
Polly nodded with approval. “That ought to knock his lordship out of his shoes. You’ll be the prettiest lady there.”
Dotty did wonder what Dom would think. She descended the first level of stairs to the landing overlooking the large hall. He stood at the bottom, impressively dressed in black evening clothes. His cravat was perfectly tied. His only ornaments a pocket watch, quizzing glass, and a heavy gold signet ring.
He glanced up at her and his jaw dropped. “You are enchanting. Exquisite.”
“Thank you, my lord.” Dom’s intense blue gaze warmed her, reminding her of last night when they had made love. Goodness, if his thoughts matched hers, they would be lucky to make it through the evening. She reached the bottom tread, and he took her hand. “The necklace is perfect. How did you know?”
“The image of you in diamonds”—Dom raised her fingers to his lips—“has teased me for a while now.” He leaned closer and spoke in a deep, soft tone. “Though in my mind, they were the only thing you wore.”
This was definitely an improvement. Perhaps being abducted hadn’t been such a bad thing after all. “Perhaps”—heat rose in her cheeks—“your dreams can become reality.”
His grip on her hand tightened. “Allow me”—his voice was a low growl—“to undress you tonight.”
If only she could. “Soon we’ll be married and you may do so every night.”
She thought he would step back as he’d done previously when he allowed himself to desire her. Instead, he brushed his lips across hers. “That is a promise I will make sure you keep.”
“Dominic?” Lady Merton said from the door to the drawing room. “Bring Dorothea and come in here. Sir Henry wishes to discuss what occurred today.”
“Oh dear.” Dotty glanced at Dom. “We forgot to consult Papa before sending the note to Grandmamma.”
Dom rolled his eyes to the ceiling. “That was an oversight. I hope he agrees with us. Something tells me I don’t want to be on your father’s bad side.”
Papa stood next to the sideboard pouring a glass of wine as she and Dom entered the drawing room. Her father held up the decanter, and she and Dom nodded. Once they were all seated, Dotty told them how the abduction had taken place and who had done it, as well as their decision to inform Fotherby’s mother.
“Only because we don’t wish to flee the country, sir,” Dom said. “My first instinct was to kill the blackguard, but Thea came up with this idea.”
Lady Merton nodded thoughtfully. “I agree with your plan. There is no one better to deal with Fotherby than his mother.” She lifted her wineglass. “I doubt you will see him again until he can behave.”
Suddenly, Dom had a wicked look on his face. “That’s right. Lady Fotherby holds the purse strings.”
What they were saying didn’t make sense. “I do not understand,” Dotty said. “Fotherby is of age and a peer.”
