“Very funny, Your Grace. It is a hat.”
“A hat? Egads. I am going to rupture my spleen holding back my laughter. What in blazes? Is this your revenge for having to attend this dinner party?”
She tipped her chin up. “I have no idea what you are talking about.”
But of course it was.
He was forcing her to renege on the spirit of an oath made to his mother, and she was not going to let him get away with it. Also, this was for her own protection. She did not want histondiamonds thinking she was competition and doing something mean to her.
She was rather proud of the feathers she had stuck in her hat, and thought herself awfully clever for plucking them out of her mattress and fastening them to the stiff material. If this did not put everyone off, then nothing she did ever would.
When the duke’s brother joined them, Jonas made a show of introducing him to her—since he was not supposed to know her—and to her uncle. “A pleasure to meet you, Vicar Temple.”
“Pleased to meet you, Lord Langford. It is nice to see His Grace surrounded by loving family, especially at this time of the year.”
“Ah, yes. Ramsdale was so overjoyed to see me and our mother that he sobbed hysterically,” Edward intoned. “And who is this ravishing creature on your arm, Vicar Temple?”
“Creature is right,” the duke muttered, for it did look as though she was sporting a chicken on her head. “Come, vicar. Let me introduce you to my mother.”
He left Ailis alone with Edward, who immediately broke into laughter. “Dear heaven. You are an utter joy, Miss Temple.”
“Why, thank you,” Ailis replied, grinning. “I hoped to make just the right fashion statement.”
“Indeed, no one is going to forget the way you look tonight. Can you see anything through those spectacles?”
“No,” she admitted. “A complete blur.”
“Then I shall stay close to you and offer my arm to lead you into the dining room. Oh, gad. Miss Temple, you are brilliant. You should have seen the look on my brother’s face when you walked in. His expression was priceless.”
“I’m sorry I missed it. I expect he was not pleased.”
“You do realize he is not going to let you get away with besting him. He’s very competitive, you know. But do not be fooled by his frown. He likes that you are giving him a hard time. He may not like to lose, but he loves a challenge. You are decidedly that. Oh, he keeps glancing this way.” Edward chuckled again. “He’s smiling. You are a miracle worker. I cannot recall the last time he has done that.”
“What, smiled?”
Edward nodded. “Yes. Not to put a damper on the evening, but you have no idea how badly damaged he was when he returned from the war. We were afraid he would never recover, and although his body has healed, his heart hasn’t…until now. Uh oh. Stiff upper lip—my mother is approaching.”
“Good gracious, Miss Temple…I am left speechless,” the duchess said, inspecting Ailis from head to toe. “Your gown…your hat… I have never seen anything quite like it.”
And hope never to again, Ailis surmised.
“Bewitching, isn’t she?” Edward said, unable to suppress a chortle.
“Edward, do be serious,” the duchess intoned, but she did not sound curt or irritated, merely amused. She and her son were now grinning at Ailis. “Truly, my dear. You have outdone yourself.”
“I can explain—” Ailis said.
The duchess held up her hand. “No explanations necessary. Your uncle told me all I needed to know. My son can be headstrong.” She laughed lightly. “But I think he has met his match in you. Well done, Miss Temple. Shall I introduce you around?”
“It isn’t necessary. I cannot see a blessed thing with these spectacles on, and none of the diamonds will be interested in meeting me.”
The big, dark blotch appeared in front of her again. “I beg to differ, Miss Temple,” the duke said with a touch of lethality to his voice. “They will be most eager to meet the belle of Broadmoor. Come with me.”
But first, he plucked the spectacles off her nose and tucked them into his breast pocket. “You will injure your eyes if you keep them on all night. Honestly, Temple. You need to take better care of yourself.”
He then took hold of her by the elbow of her uninjured arm and led her toward a stunning blonde he introduced as Lady Viola Carstairs.
The young woman gave a curt nod, then ignored Ailis while engaging the duke in flirtatious conversation. Oh, she was all smiles for him, and—
