Page 36 of Ruined by the Wrong Earl

She gave a nervous laugh. ‘Heavens, I fear I’m not prepared. What if they find me lacking as a countess?’

He smiled gently. ‘Society ladies are not so different from you.’

Her mouth thinned. ‘I doubt they spend their days cataloguing shells.’

‘They are no different.’ A mischievous gleam lit his dark eyes, ‘Although perhaps a little less interesting. Still, they will be curious. The new Lady Ralston—beautiful, mysterious and clever. Who could resist?’

Her pulse quickened at his smooth words. He could easily distract her. Perhaps that was his goal. For her to forget her anxiousness over the party.

‘Society ladies are different in that they are too quick to judge.’ She thought of Candace. Her sister’s heartbreak at the hands of Society still stung. Poor Candace had suffered what felt like a thousand whispered speculations that had left her bereft. It had taken months to ease her melancholy. ‘They devoured my sister after her fiancé jilted her. They treated her as if she had failed him.’

Ralston’s gaze sobered. ‘As a politician, I’ve learned something invaluable.’

Her interest was piqued. ‘Do share it.’

He paused, then said, ‘Most people are too self-absorbed and occupied with themselves to notice you.’

She considered this. ‘An intriguing theory. I shall try to remember it. Although it will be difficult if all eyes are on me.’ She disliked that kind of attention.

He offered his arm. ‘Then let me bear some of the weight. Trust me.’

Trust him?

She hesitated for a moment. Was she ready to take that step? She hadn’t known him long and she wasn’t one to trust easily. Then she placed her gloved hand upon his sleeve. ‘Very well.’

Together, they left the estate for the neighbouring home and soon stepped through the iron gate into Lady Leticia’s garden. The air was sweet with the scent of roses and summer blossoms, and laughter mingled with the faint strains of a string quartet from the terrace.

‘Lord Ralston!’ A middle-aged woman in a towering powdered wig and bright yellow gown waved them over. As they approached, Nora’s eyes widened at the woman’s appearance. Her gown had a gold gauze overskirt. A ruby the size of a pigeon’s egg sparkled from the hollow of her throat.

‘Lady Leticia,’ Ralston said with a graceful bow. ‘May I present my wife, Lady Ralston?’

Lady Leticia’s painted lips curved. ‘You always were dangerously charming.’

Nora dipped into a polite curtsy. ‘It’s a pleasure to meet you. Is that a Chinese pagoda I see in the distance?’ A four towered structure of overhanging eaves made of wood stood out.

Lady Leticia beamed. ‘Indeed! An original. I had it shipped from the Orient.’

‘It’s exquisite,’ Nora replied honestly, ‘as are your gardens.’

The lady fluttered her fan, clearly pleased. ‘Now tell me, my dear Lord Ralston, wherever did you discover such an enchanting creature?’

Ralston winked and flashed a wolfish grin. ‘We fell in love at first sight.’

Lady Leticia gasped with delight, pressing her bejeweled hand to her corseted chest. ‘Oh, I do adore a love match!’

As they left their host and strolled on, Nora whispered, ‘She’s smitten with you.’

‘She’s one of my favorites,’ he replied with fondness. ‘She may dress flamboyantly, but she is delightful, and she hosts the best gatherings. The ton never dares miss her invitations and all the Society ladies attend.’

Her pulse quickened as she glanced at a group of well-dressed women gathered beneath the shade of an oak tree. She had never been part of high society. But then again, she had never been a countess.

‘Shall I introduce you?’ Ralston asked. ‘It will be brief.’

‘Anything I should know?’ Information could only help.

‘Lady Weber and Lady Modal are close friends of Lady Jersey, one of the patronesses at Almack’s. They wield a great deal of influence. The other ladies follow their lead.’

Nora made a mental note of all he’d said. She nodded and steeled herself. With her hand on his arm, they approached.