* * *
Dinner in the Worthington household had been a raucous affair. Dotty had dined many times with the Carpenters, yet the addition of Matt’s four sisters added considerably to the noise level. She could not have enjoyed it better. She had grown up with Charlotte’s family and was extremely pleased to see everyone getting along as if they had always lived together.
Dotty was even a little wistful her own sisters and brothers were not here as well, but perhaps in the summer the families could all visit. After dinner, the younger children were sent to the schoolroom and the adults, along with her, Charlotte, and Louisa sat in the spacious drawing room. Heavy sage green velvet curtains were drawn across the windows overlooking the front of the house. The side windows had a view to a narrow garden and a brick wall decorated by rose trellises.
“Dotty,” Matt’s stepmother, the Dowager Lady Worthington said, “how did you like your stroll in the Park today?”
“It was very nice, except for my encounter with a certain gentleman. My father had told me about dandies, yet I did not have a good appreciation of what he meant until I saw one today.”
“My dear”—the Dowager Lady Worthington’s smooth forehead wrinkled—“you make it sound like something from a freak show. Are you sure you are being kind?”
Louisa glanced at them. “Mama, it was Mr. Fotherby.”
Matt coughed. “Then it must have seemed more like something from the Royal Menagerie.” His eyes danced with mirth. “But, Dotty, you cannot call Fotherby a dandy. That is to be unfair to those who truly are. He is a macaroni.”
She furrowed her brow. “What is the difference?”
“A dandy might be extreme in his shirt points, but he takes care to always be subtle in his costume and is an adherent of Brummell’s philosophy that one should do nothing to draw attention to one’s dress.”
“Are you a dandy?”
Matt grimaced. “If I must claim a group, it would be the corinthians. We are a more sporting bunch.”
“Do not listen to him, my dear.” Lady Worthington shook her head at Matt. “He’ll make fun of any of the macaroni set. You will see a lot of them, though perhaps, none quite so . . . stunning as Lord Fotherby.”
Louisa told them about Dotty saving the puppy then added, “Mertonwas with him.”
“Louisa, remember.” Grace’s calm tone held a note of warning. “We have all agreed to treat him with courtesy.”
“He was actually helpful today,” Charlotte reminded Louisa. “When he agreed with Dotty, that is.”
“Yes, I suppose he was,” Louisa grudgingly agreed. “But I shall wager there was some benefit to him.”
The comments that Louisa had made before and during the current conversation sparked Dotty’s curiosity. “Louisa, why don’t you like him?”
“He’s a pompous bore,” Louisa replied roundly. “A few years ago, he came to Worthington Hall and went on and on about how he, as the head of the family, needed to look after us. Matt reminded him that his title has nothing to do with Merton as the title descended through a female ancestor, but he wouldn’t give it up. Matt finally told him to leave before he threw Merton out on his ear. Even Theodora remembered it, and she was only three at the time.”
Dotty tried to reconcile that with the short, albeit favorable, impression she’d had of him when he had taken her side. Then remembered the way he had dealt with his friend. “I see. High in the instep?”
“I would say rather insufferably aware of his own consequence,” Louisa remarked. “Someone needs to bring him down a peg or two, but if he marries Miss Turley,thatwon’t happen.”
Charlotte nodded. “Very true. She hangs on him like gold coins come out of his mouth. Which is ridiculous. He has not an original thought in his head, and what he has, all spring from half a century ago.” She turned to her sister. “Grace, do we attend the Featherington ball on Friday?”
“Yes, we must also make some morning visits so that Dotty can be introduced. Lady Thornhill is having a drawing room on Thursday, and I received Dotty’s vouchers for Almack’s from Lady Jersey yesterday.”
Charlotte turned to Dotty. “You will love Lady Thornhill. She has the most interesting guests.”
“I’ll look forward to it.” Dotty pressed her fingers to her lips and tried to hide her yawn. “I am sorry.”
“Not at all.” Grace smiled. “It has been a long day for you. Get a good night’s sleep and we’ll see you in the morning.”
Once in bed, Dotty’s mind cast back to Lord Merton. It was a shame his family disliked him so much. Even Charlotte, who was the most loving of creatures, seemed to accept that Merton was not worth even trying to improve. Perhaps he was insecure, yet he didn’t seem as if that were a problem, though one never knew what a person hid deep inside.
She hoped he would pick a lady he could love. That might be exactly what he needed. With the right encouragement, anyone could reach their full potential. But would he?
The next morning, Dotty was awakened by what sounded like a herd of horses. Considering she was in a new place, she had slept surprisingly well. After ringing for Polly, Dotty rose. Warm water was already in the pitcher and the fire had been stoked. Polly arrived only a few minutes later. “That was fast.”
“I’ve been up and about for a couple of hours, miss. Lady Charlotte’s maid, May, is teaching me new ways to do your hair and the like. On our day off, we’ve been promised a trip to see some of the sights.”
