“For Freddie,” Margaret pleaded. “For me. For Papa.”
“Yes, Lady Charlotte.” Frank took her hand and threaded it through his elbow. “If you wish to stand with us and show that your family truly comes first, you must do this.”
Alex found LadyMontain’s rout to be rather dull. So many people preening like peacocks, angling to see and be seen.
The hum of conversation and whirl of motion caused a twitch in his chest and increased his sense of needing to be doing, doing, doing. He resisted the urge to check the time on his pocket watch.
Only Andrew’s presence at his side and the possibility of exchanging a word with Lottie made the evening bearable.
He was used to such events from his upbringing in Edinburgh society. His family had been wealthy gentry, after all. Not quite the aristocracy, but close enough that they were included in most hostesses’ invitations.
Lottie, of course, glittered like the jewel he knew her to be. That first glimpse of her had stopped him cold, freezing everything into a steady focus.
Ferndown had just taken his leave of Alex and Andrew. The duke had been only vaguely apologetic over Lord and Lady Frank’s actions. Alex got the sense that this entire affair was more political maneuvering than anything—an attempt to squelch rumors of Lottie and himself possibly making a match of it.
“Is that her?” Andrew murmured at his side, looking across the room to where Lottie walked on Frank’s arm, greeting friends. She was impossibly lovely in a pale blue frock covered in yards of expensive lace and netting.
“Aye,” Alex nodded.
Andrew gave a low whistle of appreciation. “Och, Rafe didn’t lie, did he now? Ye truly do nothing by halves.”
“Dinnae let Jane hear ye say that—”
“Let Jane hear what?” Jane asked, coming to stand beside her husband.
“Me admiring Alex’s Lady Charlotte,” Andrew said shamelessly.
“She is notmyanything,” Alex protested, for all the good it did.
“Lady Charlotte is truly lovely.” Jane wrapped her hand around Andrew’s elbow. “She has long been a reigning Diamond. Though I only have a passing acquaintance with her, I have always thought kindness and intellect to be her greatest virtues.”
“Aye,” Alex heard himself agree, his voice perhaps a tad too emphatic.
But seeing Lottie like this, watching men’s heads turn as she passed, caused a yearning crack in his chest.
Did they see beyond her pretty face, these gentlemen who stared and gaped?
Did they see more than a large dowry, a titled father, and a lovely figure?
Did they hear her thoughts? Did they truly listen?
“If ye don’t want tae be declared the marquess tomorrow, ye should likely stop staring at the lass like she is the beginning and end of your world,” Andrew laughed into his ear.
Right.
Alex sucked in a breath and turned to his friend.
A few minutes later, though, the familiar scent of jasmine engulfed him. He heard the soft timbre of Lottie’s voice behind him, greeting Jane.
“Lady Hadley,” Lottie said, “it is so lovely to see you again.”
“And you, too, Lady Charlotte. Hadley,” Jane touched Andrew’s shoulder, “permit me to introduce you to my friend.”
Alex turned around with Andrew.
And there she was.
His Lottie.
