He was so close, her breasts practically touched his waistcoat, and his arms were around her waist.
Dear God. This cannot be happening. We must look like lovers!
“Obviously we are interrupting a tryst,” another woman twittered.
“Such goings-on in the garden,” a third one said.
The fourth lady’s laugh sounded like a cackle. “It’s been a few weeks since we’ve had a good scandal.”
It probably wouldn’t help, but Dotty would try to talk Dom and herself out of this predicament. She raised up on her toes, barely able to see over Merton’s shoulder. A tall blond lady’s jaw dropped open, and her face flushed with anger.
“I—I was delivering a note.” Unfortunately, her voice was anything but firm.
So much for being convincing. By the shocked looks on the faces of all four ladies, none of them believed her.
Merton placed his arms around Dotty’s shoulders. “What you see, ladies”—his voice was so cold and wintery, she shivered—“is a proposal.” He glanced at her. “I believe Miss Stern was about to give me an answer when you interrupted.”
She couldn’t breathe. Wed Merton? She liked him well enough, at times even more than that, yet she wanted to be sure the man she married loved her and she loved him, and there were the other considerations as well. She could not wed a man who did not feel as she did about social issues and politics.
He whispered in her ear, “You made a good effort, but it didn’t work. There is only one way forward.”
If only she knew what she should do. Did she have any options or was he correct?
Placing one finger under her chin, he tilted it up. His soft breath caressed her ear. “Would marrying me be such a tragedy?”
She searched his face, but could see little in the dark. Her heart beat so fast, her voice was breathless. “I don’t know.”
He looked at her as if he hadn’t expected her answer. “We can become betrothed, and if you find you cannot stand to be my wife, you may cry off. At least we will have avoided a scandal.”
Avoiding a scandal was imperative. It sounded like a good plan. Perhaps it could work. “Very well, I will become betrothed.”
He was about to step back, when Matt pushed his way through the crowd, pulled Dotty away, and swung at Merton.
He ducked. “Worthington, it is not what you think.”
Lord Rutherford seized Matt’s arm and in a firm, low voice said, “Not here.”
Matt shook off the other man, straightened his coat, and glared at Merton. “I shall see you at Stanwood House immediately.”
“You will indeed.” Merton took Dotty’s hand, placing it on his arm. “Miss Stern has just agreed to be my wife.”
What in God’s name was wrong with him? Why goad Matt now? She wanted to stamp her foot on Merton’s. Never would she understand why men felt it necessary to behave like children at times. “Enough. We shall discuss this when we get home. Merton, you may escort me to the hall.” Lowering her voice, she added, “Remember to smile. We’ve just become engaged. We need to look the part.”
He gave her a queer little grin, but did as he was told. Remembering her grandmother’s advice, Dotty held her head high as they made their way slowly through the onlookers. She smiled at her friends, confusion and curiosity writ on their faces.
Time enough when they got to Stanwood House to tell Louisa and Charlotte it was a sham betrothal. The sad thing was that when she jilted Merton, for they would never see eye-to-eye, the blame would attach to him, not her. Everyone had already decided he was unlovable, but was he truly?
* * *
Elizabeth had almost made it to the ballroom door when a large hand grabbed her arm, She snapped her head around to see her brother, Gavin’s stern face, then tried to break his hold, hissing, “Let go of me.”
“Why?” He scowled. “So you can make a fool of yourself?”
“Who told you?”
Though his fingers relaxed, he didn’t let go. “Our darling cousin, Lavinia.” He sneered. “This was her idea, wasn’t it?”
When Elizabeth refused to answer, he went on. “Of course it was. You’d never think of anything so devious, or put your reputation at risk without her urging.”
