Page 29 of Mistress of Misfortune

“Miss Hardiwick.” Thorne bowed.

“Oh, Colonel.” Prudence looked all over him as she might a luscious dessert, and then indulged in the only thing she did besides giggle, which was to gush. “You are very welcome here. How do you get on with that terrible house? It is dreadfully neglected. Mama calls it a blight on the neighborhood, and Papa thinks it should be torn down. I hear you are very rich now that you have inherited, so you must spend a great deal–”

“Prudence.” The mention of money made Lady Hardiwick look as if she might explode.

“Excuse me, my lady, but I believe my cousin wished to dance with your daughter,” Meredith said quickly, giving Percival a discreet nudge.

“Yes, for I daresay you have the bluest eyes in all of England, Miss Hardiwick.” As she tittered, Percival offered his arm.

“Well done,” Thorne murmured to Meredith as Prudence latched onto her cousin and steered him onto the ballroom floor, also drawing away her mother’s attention.

“I should not get your hopes up, Colonel,” Lady Hardiwick said, the skin around her eyes and nose wrinkling with peevishness. “Young Starling is a military hero, and quite well-liked in Renwick, unlike some gentlemen I could name.” She eyed Meredith. “I am surprised you have never set your cap on your cousin, Miss Starling. For after your parents die, he will be within his rights to put you out. There will be no more cast-off dresses for you then, I daresay.”

Knowing she was being punished now for interfering, Meredith smiled blandly. “I have no such expectations, my lady. Percival has always been like a brother to me.”

“He is not your brother, girl. That is the material point.” The older woman sniffed. “Still, I think it wise that he refrains from this hasty choice. There are many girls of very good fortune here tonight. My Prudence will make her husband a very wealthy man.”

Hasty choice? Meredith had no idea her cousin had formed an attachment to any young lady.

Thorne ignored the arch look Lady Hardiwick gave him and said to Meredith. “Would you do me honor of dancing the quadrille with me, Miss Starling?”

Before Meredith could answer the older woman crowed, “Oh, no, Colonel, you can never take this girl as your partner. She is as ungainly as a cripple, particularly when she involves herself in any activity requiring grace. She could very well break your leg.”

“I have survived some three hundred battles, my lady,” the colonel told her. “I think I may squeak through the dangers of a country dance.”

Without giving her another chance to speak he swept Meredith away to the dance floor.

“She is right, you know,” Meredith murmured as she took her place in the set across from him. “No one ever wishes to partner with me.”

He bowed to her along with the gentlemen in the set. “Then everyone is a fool, my dear.”

For a soldier Thorne danced effortlessly, showing graceful skill that made the other men around him seem clumsy. Meredith soon forgot her nervousness and simply enjoyed the chance to spin and turn with him, clasping his hand as they moved through the steps and wove in and out of the other couples.

“I should tell you I have acquired a housekeeper,” Thorne said as they waited on another couple to complete their set. “Your cousin Lucetta, as it happens.”

After all the terrible questions the older woman had asked her Meredith had felt quite cross with her, but this news proved astonishing. “I do not understand. She is a governess.”

“I must allow her to explain her situation to you, but we are both quite satisfied with the new arrangement.” As the music slowed to an ending, he took her hand and bowed over it. “I will send her with the carriage for you in the morning, if that is acceptable?”

“Yes, of course.” Meredith curtseyed in return and then walked with him from the floor. As they passed through a mass of other dancers also leaving, something caught her twisted foot and wrenched it. The pain sent her hurtling forward, her cry of alarm causing the guests in front of her to scatter in panic.

Thorne caught her before she toppled to the floor. “I have you, my dear.”

Meredith looked at him and knew in that moment that no matter what her misfortunes brought on her, she would always be safe with him.

“It seems you do, sir.” She glanced down at her aching foot, from which her slipper had vanished. “Only I fear I can dance no more tonight.”

“Cousin.” Percival rushed up, and looked at the arm Thorne had tucked around her waist. “Are you hurt? Come and sit and let me look at your poor foot. It is your foot again, isn’t it? Got tangled up in your skirts?” He grimaced at Thorne. “When we were nippers she was very nearly lamed by a poacher’s trap, but I saved her.”

“Yes, she told me.” The colonel helped Meredith hobble over to a settee, and eased her down before regarding the lieutenant. “Perhaps you would be good enough to find her parents, so they may take her home?”

His flinty tone made Percival nod quickly and retreat. A gentleman came up and offered Meredith her missing slipper. Thorne took it from him and carefully placed it on her foot, causing some watching ladies to gasp out loud.

“This new sprain will prevent you from coming to Dredthorne tomorrow,” Thorne said, and shook his head when she began to protest. “You must stay home and rest, or you will make it worse.”

“I know. I did warn you this would happen,” Meredith said, feeling decidedly glum. “But at least I did not tread on your feet while we were dancing.”

“You did not do this,” Thorn said, his voice low. “There is a tear and a scuff mark on your skirt hem, and it did not come from those white slippers. I think you were tripped. Was it that Hardiwick girl?”

“No, I caught my foot on something. The silk must have become damaged when I did.” She saw her mother, father and cousin approaching and tried to rise. “I must introduce you to my parents.”

“Sit down.” Thorne raised an eyebrow at Percival, who quickly introduced his aunt and uncle. “A pleasure. Your daughter has been hurt.”

“Yes, I see. Stumbled again, my dear? That bad foot does you ill every time. Take my walking stick.” Meredith’s father offered her his cane. “Are you ready to go home, my dear?”

“Yes, this night is ruined.” Lady Starling looked disgusted as she adjusted her wrap. “Do enjoy yourself while you can, Colonel. Percival, give your mother our regrets, and do call on us tomorrow evening.”

Meredith tried to smile at Thorne before she hobbled away after her parents, her heart throbbing as madly as her foot.