Dotty folded her hands in her lap as her governess used to do when setting out to explain a difficult matter. “We, my friends and I, noticed the same mannerisms in the kittens they have. It appears, when all is well, the cats are silent. Yet if they are in need, they make a small chirping sound. Have you heard that?”
He glanced at the now-sleeping Cyrille. “No. I cannot say I have.”
“Then perhaps”—Dotty was hard-pressed not to laugh when Merton had looked at the cat—“he has no complaints.”
“I don’t see how he could; he’s got the entire staff kowtowing to him,” Merton stated baldly.
“You did say he’d taken his name to heart.”
He slid a warm glance her way and her heart took the opportunity to flutter. She truly did enjoy being with him.
“That must be it. Still he follows me everywhere.”
“I believe that is a characteristic of the breed as your mother said.”
A man hailed them from the walking path. She glanced around to see Lord Fotherby. Dotty bit her lip. She didn’t like the man. Her feelings went beyond his kicking the puppy that day. Somehow she knew he was not to be trusted.
As she suspected, Merton’s countenance shuttered, showing only the well-bred, bored expression so common among theton. Was he afraid to allow even those he called friends to see who he really was?
He pulled up alongside the verge. “Fotherby, good day.”
Lord Fotherby glanced sharply at Dotty and inclined his head. “Merton. Miss Stern, a pleasure.”
From his snide tone, he was anything but happy to see her. She smiled politely. “Good afternoon, my lord. Such fine weather we’re having.”
“Yes, as you say.” He looked past her to Merton. “I expect I’ll see you at Lady Wilton’s ball?”
His lips tightened slightly. “I am not sure what my mother has planned.”
Lord Fotherby speared Dotty with a look of distaste before returning his attention to Merton. “Then at the club later?”
Merton gave the other man a slight noncommittal nod, and started the horses again. How different he was around other people.
“I shall take you home now.”
“Yes, that would be best.” The encounter with Lord Fotherby had cast a pall over their easy banter. “I have a great many things to do before this evening.”
When they arrived at Stanwood House, Merton escorted her to the door then took her hand. Though rather than bow over it, he stared at her for a few moments. His eyes suddenly desperate, almost pleading. She wanted nothing more than to reach out and comfort him. “Thank you for the drive. I had a lovely time.”
His mask slid into place as he recalled himself. “As did I. Your advice was much appreciated.”
She couldn’t help but watch as he regained his curricle and left. For a moment, he had seemed so sad. She desperately wanted to help him, but how?
Chapter Eight
Dotty found Louisa and Charlotte in the parlor they all shared.
“What did Merton want?” Louisa asked.
Dotty hesitated. Her friend was so prone to finding something wrong with all Merton’s actions that she didn’t want to give her an opportunity to make a game of him. “He had some questions regarding the cat. I do not think he has ever had one before and was concerned over some of its behaviors.”
“Is that all?” Louisa’s shoulders relaxed. “For a moment, I was afraid it was an excuse to spend time with you.”
Tea had been served and Dotty reached for a biscuit. “Would that be so bad?”
“Are you seriously considering him as a husband?”
“It is too soon to think about that,” she lied. “And I am in no hurry to wed.”
