“You look too pretty.” Theodora, Louisa’s eight-year-old sister stared at them in awe.
Mary, the youngest Carpenter, vigorously nodded her head. “I want a gown like that someday.”
“We shall all have gowns like that when we come out,” Alice, one of the Carpenter twins, was no doubt counting the years until she would emerge from the schoolroom.
Dotty wished her sisters were there as well. This was the first time she had been apart from her family, and she missed them.
Grace shooed the girls out and up the stairs to the schoolroom. “Shall we go?”
Matt waited in the hall for them and, as he did every evening, complimented them on their looks.
As Watford House was only two doors down, they walked and had just joined the receiving line when Lord Merton and his mother arrived. He was resplendent in a black coat and breaches. His linen was ivory in color instead of the standard white. Nestled in his perfectly arranged cravat was a sapphire tie pin, the same shade as his eyes.
When it came to his looks, he was everything a lady could want. If only his views were not so old-fashioned. Dotty renewed her resolution to find him a wife. Despite his votes in the Lords, he deserved to be happy.
“My dear Miss Stern”—Lady Merton held out her hand—“how pleased I am to see you again.”
Dotty rose from her curtsey and took the offered hand. “Thank you, my lady. How is Camille?”
“Doing nicely.” The older woman smiled. “I am indebted to you for bringing her to me. I have never enjoyed an animal more.”
“I’m so glad you feel that way.” At least that had turned out well.
Hearing talk of the cats, Charlotte and Louisa were drawn into the conversation. As the line moved forward, Merton’s palm settled on the small of Dotty’s back. Warm tingles spread from where he touched her up to her neck. She expected him to be behind her, but when she glanced up, he was by her side.
“You look particularly lovely this evening,” he murmured.
Heat rose to her face and she knew she was blushing. “Thank you, my lord.”
He continued to guide her and after a while, although the tingles didn’t stop, his hand felt as if it belonged.
By the time their group was finally through the line and had entered the ballroom, Dotty had promised a waltz to Lord Merton. Since her goal was to find him a wife, she probably should not have, but when she looked into his eyes and saw the warmth, she could not resist.
The first set was a quadrille, which she danced with the son of the house. Merton stood up with Lady Mary Pierce. Though she was beautiful, in a cool sort of way, she was not as graceful as he, and they appeared oddly matched. Dotty dismissed the lady as a potential wife for him. What gentleman who was so graceful would want a wife with two left feet? She immediately berated herself for being petty. If a man loved a lady, he would not care about her ability to dance.
The next set was a country dance and although his partner was graceful enough, she just did not seem right for Merton, and so it went on for the rest of the evening. By the time he claimed his waltz, Dotty had run out of prospects for him. None of the ladies would be good for him.
“Miss Stern.” His warm voice flowed through her
“My lord.” He lightly brushed his lips against her gloved hand before leading her out. “Are your toes not hurting?”
He tilted his head quizzically.
Oh dear, now she would have to admit she’d been watching him. “I mean I saw the one lady tread upon your foot.”
“Ah, yes.” His lips tilted up at the corners. “I’m fine. Though I thank you for your concern. I think the same happened to you, and your slippers are not as sturdy as my shoes.”
“Yes, but I’m used to it. I taught my older brother to dance.”
He smiled down at her, and her insides unaccountably tumbled about.
“That must have been a trial. I hope you wore thick shoes.”
“Yes, I did.” He held her closer as they made the turn and she wanted to lean against him.
“Do you have only the one brother?”
“No, I have two brothers and two sisters.” Dotty grinned. “It is quite a lively household when everyone is home.”
