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“Who will challenge her? There is none that can provide proof of the existence of the Earl. Convention has it that he died.”
“Only, he did not. My Henry was quite adamant about it.”
“Where did he see him?”
“He paid a call on the erstwhile so-called Earl before he married this woman. He ran across the real Earl in the gardens.”
“Why do they allow this farce to continue?”
“As I understand it, there is a question of geniture. The succession is murky.”
“What a messy business it all is.”
“Indeed. Even more intriguing, it’s said that she wanted to get her hooks into Thybaut before this other interloper appeared.”
“Whatever is going on in this village? Why, it’s more filled with intrigue even than Town.”
Letty blinked a few times, quite taken aback at the flood of information that she had inadvertently received.
But what does it all mean?
It was very difficult to remain inconspicuous in her scarlet gown, as well as being the guest of honor at the ball. Already two men were making their way towards her, no doubt to ask her to dance. She wished she could just flick them away with a wave of her wand the way Lady Featherington had done more than once but, no, she had to smile and nod, take their hand and allow them to lead her to the dance floor.
The first man whose name she did not know, held her hand a bit too tight as he led her to the dance. He stood too close, his breath ghosting against her face. She took a step back from him with a grimace and his lips widened in a facsimile of a smile. His eyes swept along her bosom, and then followed the line of her neck before settling on her mouth.
“Thybaut is a lucky man,” he murmured before licking his lips.
She turned away from him, taking a large step away, pretending to follow the dance steps but really just wanting to be as far away from him as possible. As another couple wove between them, she breathed a sigh of relief, her eyes scanning the room for Bertram.
He was deep in conversation with a man in a soldier’s uniform although his eyes darted towards her once or twice. Not long enough for her to communicate her distress, though.
What am I doing? I’m an experienced spy! One lecherous man cannot defeat me.
With a last nod at the man, she walked off the dance floor to a lot of staring. Bertram had stopped speaking to gape at her. She walked towards him, quite sure that the old ladies were now twittering about her and if she could get close to them she would likely hear things about herself that she did not know.
She came to a stop in front of Bertram. “I did not like how he looked at me,” she declared, heart pounding, eyes wide as she waited for his reaction. Somehow she expected that he would reprimand her, the way her commander might have done if she behaved in such a way with a target.
Instead he nodded. “I see. Is there anything I can do for you?” He reached out a hand and brushed against hers and she couldfeelhis concern. She had to swallow a lump in her throat before she could reply.
She shook her head, blinking rapidly, “No, no, I’m fine. Thank you.” The last two words came out as a whisper and she looked to the ground to hide her eyes.
“Good.” His voice was ever so gentle and it was almost too much. He seemed to sense that because he turned to the uniformed man he had been talking to. “Have you met Lord Westerly?”
Letty turned to look at the man before shaking her head. “I do not believe so.”
“Lord Westerly sits on the Parliamentary defense committee. He’s been of great help to the war effort.”
Lord Westerly bowed. “A pleasure to make your acquaintance, madam.”
Letty curtsied.
Lord Westerly’s eyes shone with admiration. “May I say, madam, that you are quite the loveliest woman I have ever seen.”
“You’re too kind.” Letty fought to contain her blush but she could not help feeling embarrassed. She kept her eyes downcast until Bertram’s hand brushed her arm again. Then she looked up to meet his gaze.
“If you will excuse me, Lord Westerly, I should very much like to dance with my fiancée.” He did not look away from her at all as he spoke and then he took her hand and led her away. She kept her gaze fixed on his.
He took her in his arms and held her close, paying no attention to the steps of the dance. She smiled wide, reveling in his attention and uncaring of any potential scandal their closeness might produce.
