Duncan gently drew her behind him. “Aye, Brixham. Itisover. Be on yer way now. Ye’d not wish to embarrass yerself and insult yer hostess, now, would ye?”
“She is not yours yet.” The viscount bared his teeth like an enraged animal.
“Aye, she is and ever will be.” Duncan jutted his chin higher, barely restraining himself from snatching up the fool and showing him to the door. “Come to church this Sunday and hear the banns for yerself.”
“We shall see,” Brixham hissed like the adder that he was, then stormed off.
“I cannot bear that man,” Merry said.
“What did he say?” Serendipity asked as she hurried over to join them.
“He wanted a spot on my dance card and became most unreasonable when I informed him it was already full.” Merry shivered as though taken with a chill. “And he informed Duncan that I was not his yet.” She barely shook her head, her fair brows knotting in a worried scowl. “The man is unhinged.”
“He is relentless when he doesn’t get his way,” Serendipity said. “Chance warned he would be so.”
“I can be relentless as well.” Duncan drew Merry closer, looping her arm through his once again. “I dinna suffer fools.” The strains of a waltz caught his ear. “Come. Let us dance the first of many dances.”
“Indeed.” Her smile, even though strained, encouraged him.
He spun her out onto the floor, breathing her in and reveling in how, once again, they fit so perfectly and moved as one. “We were made for one another, my own.”
“Yes, my champion. We were.” With every turn around the dance floor, her smile brightened. “Everyone is watching. They know I don’t usually dance.”
“Why did ye not dance? Ye are perfection itself.”
Without missing a step, she tipped her head to the side the barest bit as if wishing she could shrug. “I hid. Either in the nursery or some other hideaway where I knew I couldn’t be found. Dowry hunters and doddering old lords in search of fresh breeding mares did not interest me.” Her mischievous grin brightened. “You are smiling again.”
“What can I say, lass? Ye fill me with joy.”
“Duncan.”
“Aye?”
“The music has stopped.”
Tipping an ear toward the musicians, he feigned surprise. “So it has, my own.” Movement from the balcony just above them caught his eye. “Would ye do me the honor of meeting my mother?”
“I would be the honored one.” She took his arm while looking all around. “Is Malcolm here as well?”
“Aye, he is around here somewhere, doing his best to impress the ladies.”
“I am certain he is succeeding.” As they took the stairs leading to the balcony, her steps slowed. “Your mother knows Lady Atterley well enough to secure an invitation to her balcony?”
“It would seem so. According to Mother, they knew one another years ago and appear to have rekindled their friendship.”
“Lady Merry. Do come here, child, and let me have a look at you.” Lady Atterley waved them both closer to her chair, a mock throne fitted with miniature cupids.
Merry curtsied. “It is good to see you again, my lady, and the ball is wonderful. As always, you have opened the Season splendidly.”
The older woman, adorned with an abundance of feathery plumes, preened like a proud peahen under Merry’s praise. “One must do what one can to set the tone.” She offered Duncan a smile. “Lord Kirkston, it is good to see you in London at last, and I am so happy to see your mother. We were quite good friends years ago.” She turned and smiled at his mother. “Isn’t that so, Evelyn?”
“Indeed, we were, Mariane.” Mother shifted her attention to Merry and arched a brow, setting Duncan on edge.
“Mother, allow me to present Lady Merry Abarough, sister to the Duke of Broadmere.” He paused for half a heartbeat and added, “And soon to be my wife. We intend to have the first of the banns read thisSunday. Lady Merry, this is my mother, Lady Kirkston.”
“Nay, not Lady Kirkston. At least, not for much longer. Call me Lady Evelyn.” His mother held out both hands for Merry to take. “This is such a delight, my dear. I am verra pleased to meet the lass who has made my son so happy.”
Merry curtsied, then took his mother’s hands. “He is my champion, Lady Evelyn. He and Lord Malcolm not only saved my life, but the life of my sister as well.”
