Fortuity pressed her fingers to her lips, her shoulders quivering with amusement. “You have done it now, Matthew, gotten that stodgy old goat on the bad side of his wife. They shall not have a pleasant evening now.”
“I very much doubt if they were going to have a pleasant evening to begin with.” He tucked her arm through his and kissed her cheek. “I know public displays of affection are frowned upon, but if they dislike it, they can either look away or go straight to the devil. I love my wife and do not intend to hide it.”
“You are in rare form this evening.”
“I have merely found my feet as a devoted husband.” And he had. He couldn’t imagine life without Fortuity beside him. “Come, my darling. Stay close. Lady Atterley’s ball appears to be quite the crush.”
“Indeed, it does.”
Matthew scanned the crowded ballroom from the top of the grand staircase that led down into it. “Your brother and most of your sisters are already in place beside the terrace doors. Do you see Knightwood and Blessing?”
“Already in place beside the terrace doors? Have you enlisted my entire family in this escapade?” Fortuity looked all around, then pointed across the way. “Essie and Thorne are there, making their way over to join the rest.”
“Good, and Blessing suggested we gather as many as possible. It appears she has been quite busy in that regard.” A sense of satisfaction filled him. This ploy would take control of what Olandra felt was her power: the manipulative and damaging gossip of theton.“Several are following Knightwood and your sister. Her recruitment has been quite successful.”
Fortuity clutched his arm tighter as they descended the steps and slowly made their way through the crowd surroundingthe dance floor. “A hint of what is to happen would be most appreciated,” she murmured for his ears alone.
“We are taking control andacting, my love, rather thanreacting.”
She glared at him.
He didn’t wish to make her nervous, but if he took the time to explain, the ploy might fail. Instead, he made a show of whirling her out onto the floor to get her across the room to her siblings even quicker. “Our first dance was a waltz. Remember?”
“I might recall that,” she said, with a slight snippiness to her tone.
“I need you to trust me, my love. Can you do that?”
She gave him a pained look. “Do I have a choice?”
“You always have a choice,” he said as he spun them closer to the Broadmere family. “And I hope you always choose me.” Thankfully, that melted her. She relaxed in his arms and relinquished her worries with a patronizing smile.
“You know I always choose you.”
The music ended at the perfect moment, enabling them to halt in front of the Broadmeres. “Your Grace,” Matthew said to Fortuity’s brother as he handed her over. “Thank you for your assistance this evening.”
“It is always my pleasure to take on my sister’s enemies,” the duke said, then smiled and glanced at the rest of the sisters. “We may often squabble among ourselves, but the Broadmeres always defend our own. Our forces are at your service.”
Matthew bowed to Fortuity, then kissed her hand again. “Stay with your family. They know what to do.”
“But—”
He shook his head. “Trust me, my love.”
She looked up at him and gave a resigned sigh. “Godspeed to you, Matthew.”
He waited until the Broadmeres, Knightwood, and the friends they had gathered all filed outside through the terrace doors leading to Lady Atterley’s impressive garden, the place where many a searing scandal had started, and where Olandra’s machinations would end. He rubbed his hands together and eyed the crowd. Time to invite the guest of honor to the scheme.
Olandra, the dowager duchess, was easy to find. Not only did her annoying laugh drown out any amount of conversation or music, but her coppery red hair shone like a beacon. She loved a crowd and fed on attention and ratafia, which, if she drank enough of it, increased both the pitch and volume of her laughter. What the devil had ever made him think he loved that woman?
“My lord.” She curtsied low as he approached, her overly bright eyes attesting to the number of glasses of ratafia she had already consumed. “How are you this fine evening?”
“Quite well, Your Grace.” With the slightest tip of his head, he glanced in the direction of the terrace doors. “However, I feel the need for some fresh air. The room has grown unbearably warm.”
“Indeed, it has.” Olandra snapped open her fan and unabashedly waved it in front of her ample bosom, which was about to spill out over her neckline. “Would your wife mind if I joined you?” she asked loudly with a covert glance around to ensure everyone overheard her.
“I am sure my wife would not mind at all.” Matthew couldn’t refrain from smiling. Fortuity would indeed be delighted when she witnessed what he and Blessing had planned for Olandra.
As they made their way through the crowd and stepped out onto the terrace, Olandra preened like the proudest of peahens. “I am glad my latest message to you finally drew your attention,” she said in a low, sultry tone while leaning closer. “Your tastes have changed, my lord. Now, I know it takes a more brazen approach to draw your attention.”
