“What must we talk about? We know our goal tonight is to find Dorothea Weston and see if we can pick her brain for information about her dead lover.” He held out his hands, his lace cuffs shining white. “What else is there?”
She gritted her teeth. “Our marriage?”
“Yes?”
The carriage slowed even more.
“Damn,” she muttered. “Never mind.” They came to a stop. “But this conversation is not over, Max. Just tabled for later.”
“Very well,” he said, as he stepped out of the coach. “Now come along, Mrs. Seton Mowbray. We’re about to make a splash in Society. Are you ready?”
“No.” She put her hand in his. “But I’ll do it anyway, since given the way today has gone, I don’t think there’s much left that can surprise me.”
*~~*~~*
“Mr. Max Seton-Mowbray and the Right Honorable Mrs. Seton-Mowbray.”
Was there a sudden hush in the crowded ballroom? Max hoped he hadn’t imagined it. The butler had glanced at the card given him, raised his eyebrows, and then nodded. Clearly he knew who Kitty was—or had been yesterday—because he announced her title correctly.
They proceeded down the stairs into the Chorley ballroom, a murmur of conversation rising like a wave around them. Knowing they were probably the cynosure of many eyes, Max kept Kitty’s hand tight in his own, making their relationship even more clear.
“Darlings. My goodness what a shock.” Lady Chorley awaited them at the bottom of the stairs, a tooth-filled smile on display. “This is such a huge surprise. Why only yesterday it seems we were shaking our heads over your naughtiness, Max. And now look at your lovely wife.”
Kitty curtseyed, a movement of grace and elegance that betrayed her good breeding.
Lady Chorley’s smile grew even more wide. “How charming.”
“You’re so kind, my Lady.” Max bowed over her hand. “Where else could my wife and I celebrate our nuptials? After all, is not most of London present this evening?”
“Ha-ha,” tittered their hostess. “Indeed, indeed.” She turned to her husband. “Here are the Seton-Mowbrays, dear. Newly wedded, I understand. Do bid them welcome.”
“Of course,” said the older man, his eyes on Kitty’s bodice. “Lovely gel, quite lovely.”
“Thank you, sir.” Kitty dropped another curtsey, squeezing Max’s hand.
And so it was that the newlywed Seton-Mowbrays breezed into the Ton, heads high, looking for all the world as if it was the most normal thing imaginable. Max knew there would be comments in the morning papers—Grace would be thrilled, of course, devouring each and every word—and within half an hour gossip would be all over London this very night.
Max Seton-Mowbray had married his mistress, the scandalous Kitty Ridlington, within days of their very public wager and consequent arrangement.
He caught a few frowns and raised eyebrows as he and Kitty reached the ballroom floor, but since the orchestra chose that moment to strike up a waltz, he was certain that by the end of it, smiles would replace those shocked looks. After all, nobody wanted to appear critical of Lady Chorley’s guests by giving them the cut direct.
“Dance with me.” He pulled Kitty into the measures of the waltz, easily guiding her first uncertain moves. “You waltz, I know,” he said, looking down at her pale face.
“I do, yes,” she glanced at him. “But this is quite different, and you know it. I feel as if I have steel daggers drilling holes through my spine.”
“As do I.” He grinned. “Isn’t it fun?”
She laughed then, a bright sound that drew a few gazes. He’d hoped for that reaction and seeing her smile at him, whirling her in his arms to the delightful music…well, he was just about as happy as he’d ever been. Which was shocking, since he prided himself on his emotional restraint. It would seem his wife had ripped all that away.
“Why are you looking like that?” She pinched his thumb. “Are you all right?”
“Yes, I think so. I’ve just discovered that I’m enjoying myself.”
Kitty shook her head. “I have married a strange man, it would seem.”
“Indeed.”
They were quiet for a while, both in perfect step, her height a match for his. The waltz was made for those who could easily lead and follow, a sinuous and flowing series of moves that took two people and joined them together for a few blissful moments.
