Page 28 of Mistress of Misfortune

As long as I avoid tipping the punch bowl into someone’s lap,Meredith thought as she greeted their hostess.

Prudence, resplendent in a tight pink satin gown that had been cut so low the top of her breasts bulged almost to her chin, giggled at Percival’s bow. She batted her eyelashes as he straightened and said, “You look so handsome in your red coat, Captain Starling.”

He grinned broadly. “I am but a mere lieutenant, Miss Prudence.”

“I will not tell anyone if you will not,” she whispered loudly, leaning in close enough to brush the front of his jacket with her bodice. Her pale eyes shifted to Meredith. “I didn’t think you’d be here tonight, Miss Fortunate.” She laughed at her own joke.

“I am grateful to be included, as always,” Meredith said while imagining Prudence on all fours in her expensive dress in a pen of pigs. She would likely giggle at them, too.

“Mama told me she had given that awful green gown to your poor mother,” Prudence told her. “She had it made for tonight’s ball, but I decided that dreadful color didn’t suit me.” She beamed at Percival. “Pink is my favorite color.”

“It is now mine as well,” he gallantly assured her.

So that explained how Lady Starling had obtained the gown, as charity from Prudence’s mother. Unable to bear another moment of her simpering superiority, Meredith drew her arm from Percival’s. “Please, excuse me. I must look for someone.”

Dimly she heard her cousin protest, but paid no mind to it. Doubtless her mother had instructed Percival to stay glued to her side for the whole of the evening so he might rescue her from herself. Yet after what had happened in the tower she desperately wished to see Alistair Thorne. She felt sure he blamed himself for the accident, and might decide to stop her from returning to Dredthorne.

If he did, her life would quickly become unbearable.

Meredith worked her way around the edge of the ball room, watching the dancing couples in hopes of spotting the colonel. When she could not find him among the crowd, she wandered over to the refreshments table.

“Allow me,” a familiar voice said from behind her as a strong hand took the punch bowl ladle from her fingers.

“I did not think you would come tonight,” Meredith said, stepping to one side to allow Thorne access to the bowl. He looked exceedingly handsome in his black evening tailcoat and snowy linen cravat, tied as artfully as a Londoner’s over his pale gold waistcoat. Yet all she could do as she looked at him was remember the passion of his mouth on hers. “You did not wear your uniform.”

“I am no longer a soldier.” Once he gave her the punch he ushered her over to a quieter spot opposite the musicians. “I hope you are recovered from yesterday’s incident at the hall. I realized too late that I should never have taken you into that part of the house. The upper floors appear on the verge of collapse.”

“You saved me from harm,” Meredith assured him. If he was going to pretend that the embrace had never happened, then so would she. “That does not happen very often with me before some part of me is bleeding or broken. I am in your debt again.”

“Here you are, Cousin.” Percival abruptly joined them, followed by most of the younger girls at the ball. He regarded Thorne with a frown. “Oh, dear. I had not realized you were engaged. Forgive me if I intrude.”

Meredith introduced the men before she said to her cousin, “I thought you would be occupied with Miss Hardiwick.”

“She promised a dance to Travers, who outranks this lowly lieutenant,” Percival said, making the girls around them giggle. “Colonel, why are you not in uniform? We must rally spirits wherever we go these days, you know. Disheartens the enemy.”

“Indeed.” Thorne’s smile faded as he inspected her cousin’s medals. “You are quite decorated for a lowly lieutenant.”

“Just doing my part, sir.” Percival reached for Meredith’s arm. “It grows so hot in here. Come, Cousin, we will take a turn on the terrace and–”

Thorne stepped between them. “I am not finished speaking to Miss Starling, Lieutenant.”

Meredith saw in his eyes the same passionate heat he’d shown her in the tower.

“I daresay this is the new master of Dredthorne.” Lady Hardiwick arrived with all the pomp and ceremony of a ship sailing into port, her voluminous skirts parting the tittering girls like a sea of ribbon-sashed muslin waves. She regarded Thorne with a scowl. “Well, sir. What do you have to say for yourself?”

“Milady,” Percival said quickly, “May I introduce–”

“You certainly may not.” Her ladyship snapped her fan against her palm. “I am not some green girl to be made spellbound by a handsome man with a chest filled with medals. Nor do I require introductions to a person with whom I am not certain I wish to be acquainted.”

“Then, my lady, I should very much like to make your acquaintance,” Thorne said, and bowed. “Colonel Alistair Thorne, at your service.”

“I am Lettice Hardiwick.” She inclined her head a scant inch. “I thought I must send the stablemen out to Dredthorne to drag you from that French monstrosity. Indeed, why have you chosen to grace us with your presence now, when you have lived these three months like a hermit in a cave?”

Meredith closed her eyes briefly. Well, she had wished the colonel to enter society; here was the gatekeeper, demanding her due. People were starting to assemble around them to watch Thorne brace the dragon of Renwick.

“My cave has grown tiresome, my lady, and you demanded my attendance.” Thorne’s gaze shifted as Prudence waded her way through the girls to her mother’s side. “In time I hope we may become friends.”

“Do you now.” Lady Hardiwick gave him a narrow look. “This is my daughter, Prudence.” She hustled the girl forward and nearly sent her sprawling as she was in mid-curtsey. “Stand up straight, girl,” she hissed.