Dom tried to sort out exactly what his butler meant, but his head throbbed as if he’d been kicked by a horse. Something warm curled up next to him and started to purr. That’s right. Thanks to Thea he had a cat. All he wanted to do was sleep. He’d figure it out in the morning.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Dotty remained still as her maid wove the pearls through her locks. A light tapping sounded on the door and Grace entered, catching Dotty’s gaze in the mirror.
“I’ve received word from Lady Merton that Merton will not attend the Smyth ball this evening.” Grace paused. “He is . . . fuddled.”
“Dom, drunk?” Dotty could hardly credit it.
“This is apparently the first occurrence.”
She steadied her breathing and signaled for her maid to leave. “I believe that is correct.”
A line formed between Grace’s brows. “I understand from Matt that you and Merton had words today. Charlotte, who should not have left you alone with him as she did, said you made up.”
The normal healthy pink of Dotty’s complexion deepened. “Yes.”
Grace sank onto a chair at the side of the dressing table. “Would you like to tell me what happened?”
No, but Dotty couldn’t very well say that when Grace stood inloco parentisto her. “He apologized and we kissed. Then he apparently thought he should not have . . . kissed me and became distraught.”
This time Grace’s brows rose. “Kissed?”
Dotty cleared her throat, and her face felt as if it were on fire. “Perhaps a bit more.”
Taking her hands, Grace said, “My dear, I am married and was betrothed. I do know how quickly passion can escalate. Did Merton do something you didn’t like?”
“Oh no. Not at all. Quite the contrary. I was . . . um, very much enjoying it.”
She smiled gently. “Well, that’s good. You will take greater pleasure in your marriage if that is the case. Yet, what could have set him off?”
Dotty sighed. “I wish I knew. I mentioned something Grandmamma told me about his father, and he left. I spent the rest of the afternoon trying to understand what happened.”
“Matt said something about Merton’s Bradford nature being repressed by Lord Alasdair.” Grace rose. “However, due to the fact that Matt does not like Merton’s late guardian, I am afraid I did not pay much attention. Should we delay the wedding?”
Dotty shook her head. That was the last thing she wanted. “No. In fact, as happy as I’ve been here, I am anxious for Mama and Papa to arrive so that I may remove to Merton House.”
“I’m very glad to hear that. I believe we shall see them in the next day or so.” Grace’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “Matt received a letter from Sir Henry stating your mother has declared the doctor was an old woman, and she was coming to Town, with or without his permission.”
“Oh dear.” Dotty grinned. “She sounds like my grandmother.”
“In that case, I have no doubt your parents will arrive unannounced.”
Pleased to have the discussion about Dom over, she laughed. “Yes, indeed.”
Grace hugged her. “While you are here, I do not think it wise for you and Merton to be alone for any length of time. The children do listen at the keyholes.”
Oh no. The implications of that were too much to even think about. Having all the children know what Dotty and Dom had been doing did not bear thinking of. She said a quick prayer for her parents to arrive soon. “I see.”
Perhaps it was fortunate he would not attend the ball this evening. She had questions for Lady Merton that would no longer wait.
* * *
An hour later, Dotty had no trouble locating her future mother-in-law. The problem was extracting her from Lady Bellamny.
“Good evening, Miss Stern,” Lady Bellamny said. “I understand your betrothed is under the weather.”
Dotty curtseyed and gave a polite smile. “So I’ve been told, my lady. I would like to hear how he goes on. May I borrow Lady Merton for a few minutes?”
