Dotty could see her mother convincing the doctor to allow the journey. “It sounds as if Mama browbeat him into giving his permission.”
“You are probably right. Now that we have their arrival date, Lady Merton will hold the ball the Saturday prior to the wedding.”
Now that was a surprise. “Not at Stanwood House?”
“It only makes sense,” her future mother-in-law said. “Your mother accepted my invitation to stay with me. We thought you might like to move to Merton House as well. It will give you time to learn the staff and go over the house.”
Dotty was beginning to suspect she’d be well advised to take better notice of the plans being made. “With no disrespect to Mama, I would have thought she’d write to me as well.”
“Oh!” Grace gave a look of consternation. “You probably do have a letter mixed in with the rest of the post. I did not think to tell our butler to deliver it to you when he brought mine up.”
“Yes, of course” was all Dotty could think of to say.
She had been having so much fun with her friends that she hadn’t actually thought of living elsewhere. Which was silly. She would be married in less than three weeks, and she was happy about it. Ever since he had taken Tom in, she and Merton had become even closer, and he appeared to be abandoning his stiff ways. This would turn out very well indeed.
Chapter Thirteen
It was close to noon by the time Dom found his betrothed and his mother, accompanied by his cousin, Grace, and Lady Charlotte. They’d just regained the pavement and turned right on Bruton Street, heading toward him as he left Bond Street.
Thea’s countenance lit when she saw him. “Good morning. Did you have business here?”
Yes. Hunting down her and his mother. He greeted the other ladies, then took Thea’s hand, brushing his fingers over her knuckles. He hid his smile as she breathed in sharply. “No, just out for a stroll. You look lovely as usual.” Her face and neck were once more a charming shade of pink, and he had a sudden wish to always be able to make her blush. He liked how natural she always was. “Are you finished shopping?”
“No, we are on our way to the shoemaker.”
Tucking her hand in his arm, he turned to stroll with her back toward Bond Street. Dom lowered his voice so that only she could hear. “I believe I am jealous.”
Thea’s eyes widened. “Of what, pray?”
“Of the shopkeeper who will be allowed to touch your foot, when I cannot.”
She slid him a sidelong glance. “Are you flirting with me, my lord?”
“I’m certainly trying to.” He had never felt the need to flatter a lady before. He hoped she liked it. “Am I succeeding?”
“Immensely.” Her complexion was even rosier now, but her tone was light and teasing. “I had no idea you were such a rogue.”
What was he to say to that? Here she was newly on the Town, and already she knew more about the art of flirtation than he did. It must come more naturally to women. “Only with you, my love.”
Thea promptly responded, “Yet, what about after we are wed? I thought thetondisparaged a married man flirting with his wife.”
Hoisted on his own petard. The thought of another gentleman paying attention to her made his blood boil. He gave her back her own words. “I prefer to make my own fashion. One not based on deceit.”
A burble of laughter escaped her lips before she put her hand over her mouth. “I’d forgotten I shouldn’t laugh too loudly.”
Damn the person who prescribed that everyone in thetonshould appear permanently bored. He would not have her delight stifled. Particularly when her laughter sounded like the tinkling of bells and it was him she was pleased with. “As the Marchioness of Merton, you may do much as you please. You will be looked at to set fashion.”
“That may very well be true, but as Miss Dorothea Stern, I may not willy-nilly break the rules.” She gave him a sly look. “I shall wait until later.”
She was so comfortable with herself, confidence that had nothing to do with her rank. Was it courage or an innate sense of belonging? She never behaved as if she had to prove herself to anyone or disparaged another to build herself up.
Pure lust surged through him. If only they were alone and he could kiss her again.
“Dotty.” Ahead of them, Grace had stopped. “We are here.”
The sign for a cobbler hung overhead. He would either have to let Thea go now and allow the blasted clerk to touch her foot, or remain and shoot the man black looks. Blast it all, hewasjealous. “Shall I come by at five o’clock to take you for a drive?”
She grimaced. “I cannot promise we’ll be home. I am not the only one we are shopping for.”
