Lottie nodded her head in acknowledgment.
Margaret gave her a faint smile and turned back to her husband.
Lord Hadley stopped beside Frank and introduced Alex to Lady Montain. Alex bowed.
Lady Montain turned to Frank and Margaret, presumably to introduce them to Alex, perhaps not realizing their familial connection.
Lottie knew what was going to happen even before it did.
It was whatneededto happen, after all.
As Lady Montain spoke, both Frank and Margaret looked past Alex as if he simply did not exist.
Once her ladyship finished talking, Frank offered Margaret his arm, and they both turned and walked away without saying a word.
The cut direct.
Brutal but effective.
“I say,” Nettlesby laughed at her side. “That was quite well-done of Lord Frank. No more wondering where your family stands, eh, Lady Charlotte?”
Lottie fanned her face harder. Nettlesby was correct, but the entire incident only exacerbated her unease, leaving her breathless and even faintly dizzy.
Frank’s actions stated to all and sundry that a battle line had been drawn.
There would be no quarter.
No alliance between the former Lord Lockheade’s family and their distant cousin, Dr. Alexander Whitaker.
Oh, Alex.
He deserved better than their scorn. It was just this impossible situation . . .
Lottie could feel eyes shifting toward her. Questioning eyes.
Were the rumors about Dr. Whitaker and herself true? Or did she share her sister’s disdain?
Frank and Margaret slowly made their way over to Lottie.
Margaret gave Lottie an apologetic look, her gaze saying what she could not in front of her husband—her sister did not dislike Alex as a person. He simply was an impediment to the future happiness and financial stability of Margaret’s family. Her sister would defend her tribe, as it were.
Frank, however, was pleased as Punch. He shook Nettlesby’s hand, giving him a jubilant smile.
“Nicely done.” Nettlesby nodded toward Alex, who continued to speak with Lady Montain.
“The first step, at least.” Frank snorted and darted a glance to Lottie.
Lottie frowned. What did Frank mean by that?
“You have a prior acquaintance with Lady Hadley, do you not?” Margaret asked Lottie, stepping into place beside her.
Lottie nodded, her eyes riveted on Lady and Lord Hadley and Alex as they bid goodbye to Lady Montain and began to circle the room.
Or, rather, on Alex specifically, smiling and greeting all those to whom he was introduced.
How did he appear so effortless in her world? Did his leg still pain him? Was the bone healed now—
“You must stop looking at him so, Lottie dearest,” Margaret whispered.
