When a Marquis Chooses a Bride (26 page)

Chapter Twenty-Two

Dotty remained still as her maid wove the pearls through her locks. A light tapping sounded on the door and Grace entered, catching Dotty's gaze in the mirror.

“I've received word from Lady Merton that Merton will not attend the Smyth ball this evening.” Grace paused. “He is . . . fuddled.”

“Dom, drunk?” Dotty could hardly credit it.

“This is apparently the first occurrence.”

She steadied her breathing and signaled for her maid to leave. “I believe that is correct.”

A line formed between Grace's brows. “I understand from Matt that you and Merton had words today. Charlotte, who should not have left you alone with him as she did, said you made up.”

The normal healthy pink of Dotty's complexion deepened. “Yes.”

Grace sank onto a chair at the side of the dressing table. “Would you like to tell me what happened?”

No, but Dotty couldn't very well say that when Grace stood in
loco parentis
to her. “He apologized and we kissed. Then he apparently thought he should not have . . . kissed me and became distraught.”

This time Grace's brows rose. “Kissed?”

Dotty cleared her throat, and her face felt as if it were on fire. “Perhaps a bit more.”

Taking her hands, Grace said, “My dear, I am married and was betrothed. I do know how quickly passion can escalate. Did Merton do something you didn't like?”

“Oh no. Not at all. Quite the contrary. I was . . . um, very much enjoying it.”

She smiled gently. “Well, that's good. You will take greater pleasure in your marriage if that is the case. Yet, what could have set him off?”

Dotty sighed. “I wish I knew. I mentioned something Grandmamma told me about his father, and he left. I spent the rest of the afternoon trying to understand what happened.”

“Matt said something about Merton's Bradford nature being repressed by Lord Alasdair.” Grace rose. “However, due to the fact that Matt does not like Merton's late guardian, I am afraid I did not pay much attention. Should we delay the wedding?”

Dotty shook her head. That was the last thing she wanted. “No. In fact, as happy as I've been here, I am anxious for Mama and Papa to arrive so that I may remove to Merton House.”

“I'm very glad to hear that. I believe we shall see them in the next day or so.” Grace's eyes sparkled with mischief. “Matt received a letter from Sir Henry stating your mother has declared the doctor was an old woman, and she was coming to Town, with or without his permission.”

“Oh dear.” Dotty grinned. “She sounds like my grandmother.”

“In that case, I have no doubt your parents will arrive unannounced.”

Pleased to have the discussion about Dom over, she laughed. “Yes, indeed.”

Grace hugged her. “While you are here, I do not think it wise for you and Merton to be alone for any length of time. The children do listen at the keyholes.”

Oh no. The implications of that were too much to even think about. Having all the children know what Dotty and Dom had been doing did not bear thinking of. She said a quick prayer for her parents to arrive soon. “I see.”

Perhaps it was fortunate he would not attend the ball this evening. She had questions for Lady Merton that would no longer wait.

* * *

An hour later, Dotty had no trouble locating her future mother-in-law. The problem was extracting her from Lady Bellamny.

“Good evening, Miss Stern,” Lady Bellamny said. “I understand your betrothed is under the weather.”

Dotty curtseyed and gave a polite smile. “So I've been told, my lady. I would like to hear how he goes on. May I borrow Lady Merton for a few minutes?”

“Of course.”

“Let us stroll, my dear.” She rose. “I'm sure we shall not be long.” She linked arms with Dotty and once out of Lady Bellamny's hearing, asked, “Did Grace tell you?”

“Yes. What I do not understand is the reason.” Dotty shook her head slightly. “Everything was going well, then I said something about his father, and he became upset.”

Lady Merton maintained a smile as she nodded to other guests. “Act as if we are talking about nothing in particular.”

Dotty assumed the polite expression expected as she waited for her ladyship to continue.

“I have been overhearing things that concern me greatly. It appears my brother did not honor my husband as he should have. I always wondered why Dominic was so different from David. For a very long time, I attributed it to grief. Unfortunately, I was seldom around him. I was quite ill for a long time after my husband died, and stayed in Bath for much too great a time. After that, when I was at Merton, Dom always seemed so . . . so capable, even when he was young. I longed to take him in my arms, but he never appeared to want me to.” She took a shuddering breath. “Later, whenever I arrived, Alasdair always had him going this place or that.” She glanced at Dotty. “It wasn't until this past year that I sensed something was wrong, and when I received his list of potential wives, I knew I had to become involved.”

Dotty started to chew on her lip and stopped. If only they were not at a ball. “What do you think Lord Alasdair did?”

“I believe he tried to make my son—David's son—into the image of himself.”

They had made a half circle of the ballroom and were near the open French doors. “I'm not sure I understand.”

“Shall we go out onto the terrace? I find I am in need of some air.” They strolled outside and away from the steps to the garden. “Alasdair and David were very close, but I'm not sure Alasdair ever approved of my husband. In having Dom to raise, perhaps my brother thought he could correct all the problems he perceived in David.” She rubbed her forehead. “You see, my dear, I am almost as much in the dark as you. I've only recently begun to realize that my brother purposely kept Dominic away from me.”

The emptiness in her voice tugged at Dotty's heart. How and why the uncle would have done such a thing, she didn't know. Yet, a great injustice had been done to both Dom and his mother. She wanted to hug her future mother-in-law and comfort her. If they'd been alone she would have. “But I know he loves you.”

“I hope so. Still, there are times I wonder if attending to me is more of a duty that Alasdair instilled in Dominic than a desire on his part.”

She pulled her lip between her teeth. Dom did mention duty quite a bit, yet he seemed sincerely attached to his mother. What would Lord Alasdair have stood to gain by taking Dom away from his mother?

“At least I know he loves you, Dorothea.”

The statement startled her. “Does he? I sometimes think it, such as when he apologized today, but he has never told me.”

Yet neither had she told him.

“It is in his eyes when he looks at you. The same as the way David looked at me, and Worthington gazes at Grace.”

Dotty's heart swelled with joy, and, if she was honest, relief. “Thank you.”

Lady Merton took her arm again and turned back toward the doors. “Come see me tomorrow and we shall talk some more.”

They had almost reached the doors when a murmur rose inside the ballroom. Nothing loud, simply a general noticing of some occurrence. The circle of guests parted as they began to enter the ballroom. Dotty glanced up. Dom stood at the head of the stairs, searching, and though he was in evening dress and his cravat was beautifully tied, the rest of him was slightly rumpled. As if he'd slept in his clothes.

“Heavens,” Lady Merton said. “I have never seen him look like that before.”

He grinned and waved, then went down the stairs. When he reached the floor, Dotty could only see the top of his burnished hair as he made his way straight through the crowd toward her, just as he had done earlier today.

Lady Merton made a choking sound. “He is so like his father.”

Dotty's heart skipped a beat. He had never appeared so devilish, or dangerous.

“After what you told me,” Dotty said, “I will not repeat that to him.”

She glanced at Lady Merton; her eyes were misty, and she had a small smile.

When he finally reached them, he took Dotty's hand and bowed over it. “Thea, I must apologize for arriving late.”

The faint smell of brandy hung around him, and his eyes were overbright. He really had been in his cups and might still be affected. Well, this, as her grandmother would say, is the time to show what she was made of.

“My lord.” Dotty curtseyed. “I had no expectation you would rise from your sick bed to attend me.”

“I could not stay away.” His well-molded lips tilted up. “Am I in time for a waltz?”

“Indeed you are.” If she thought he actually knew what he was doing, she would have been more than gratified. Yet, he swayed a little as he stood before her. She suspected it was the brandy talking, and wanted to roll her eyes. She stepped back, further onto the terrace, and he followed.

At present, she must find a way of making him leave the ball before he caused a scandal. Otherwise, Miss Smyth would have the prestige of the Marquis of Merton making a figure of himself. Nothing was more likely to ensure the success of her ball.

She caught Lady Merton's eye. “One dance.”

Her ladyship nodded. “I shall go back inside. Follow as soon as you are able.”

“Find Grace,” Dotty mouthed before bringing her attention back to Dom. With luck, the fresh air would do him good. “Let us stroll for a bit.”

Tucking her hand in the crook of his arm, she kept him in the light of the ballroom and far away from any shadows. The Lord only knew what mischief he would get up to in his present state. In a few moments, he began slowing and leaning heavily on her.

“Dorothea?” His mother's steps grew near.

“I need some help.”

“Here.” Matt appeared, taking Dom's other arm. The silly man merely blinked and grinned.

Shaking his head, Matt guided them through a parlor, down a set of narrow stairs, then to the main hall.

“You must know the house well.” She allowed the butler to place her cloak over her shoulders.

“I had to sneak out of it once upon a time.”

A few minutes later, Dotty and Lady Merton sat facing the front of the coach with Matt and Dom across from them. The outer coach lanterns cast just enough light for her to be able to make out his features.

Lady Merton gave a small sniff.

Dom lurched forward and would have fallen if his cousin hadn't steadied him. “Mama, are you all right?”

She waved her hand a bit, but her voice wobbled. “Yes, dear, I'm fine.”

He sat back, but a moment later mumbled, “Must take care of you.”

Suddenly more alert, she stared at him. “What did you say?”

“Nothing. Mustn't bother you. I'm Merton now.” Dom looked at his mother and frowned. “You don't want to go to Bath again, do you?”

Lady Merton's brows drew together. “No, dear. Why do you ask?”

“Uncle said it's better for you to be in Bath. No point in me crying. Don't cry now though.”

“No, you do not.” She glanced at Dotty. “What else did Uncle say?”

Dom swung his head toward his cousin. “Always wanted to go to school. Never had anyone to play with. Even Garvey stopped coming round.”

“Who knew,” Matt drawled, “that Merton would be an introspective drunk? This could prove interesting.”

Dotty scowled at him. “Matt, shush.” Reaching out, she covered Dom's hand, wrapping her fingers around it. “Garvey and his father came to see you. He said your uncle wouldn't allow him in.”

Her betrothed's frown deepened. “Didn't approve of Garvey. Didn't approve of anyone.” Dom glanced at her. “Wouldn't have approved of you.”

She did not doubt that in the least.

He grinned boyishly, and said in a loud whisper, “But I'm going to marry you no matter what he says.”

Matt groaned. A movement that appeared suspiciously like Lady Merton's leg striking out caught Dotty's eye.

Dom grabbed her hands and stared at her with an intensity she'd never seen in him before. “Thea, I want you.”

Her cheeks began to burn. Thank God the light was dim. She took a moment to steady herself. “I want you, too.”

“Well,” Matt commented drily, “I'm glad we've settled that.” He glanced out the window. “We have arrived.”

The coach rolled to a smooth halt and a footman opened the door. Dotty withdrew her hands from Dom's. Once they were in the hall, it was clear his burst of energy had begun to fade.

“Dominic,” Lady Merton said, “go on to bed.”

He shook his head. “But Worthington and Thea.”

Though Dotty could not approve of overindulging in drink, it certainly brought out another side of her betrothed. “We are leaving. I shall see you tomorrow.”

He weaved just a bit. “If you're sure?”

Sleep would be the best thing for him. “I'm positive.” She watched as a footman assisted him up the stairs. “Well, that was illuminating.”

Lady Merton's countenance was awash with anger. “If Alasdair was still alive, I would kill him. Imagine telling a young child not to go to his mother, then keeping his friends away. No wonder Dominic was so lost when my brother died. He probably didn't feel as if he had anyone else.”

“Well, he's defying his uncle by marrying Dotty,” Matt said, apparently deciding levity was called for.

She fought down the blush as she remembered Dom's words in the carriage. “Very true.”

“Merton's going to have a devil of a head in the morning.” Matt turned to Lady Merton. “I can send over a recipe if you don't have one. It will make even a dead man feel better.”