It was that display of blatant contempt that sparked my own ire. I was just as covered with lemonade as he was. I had been just as jostled. I wasn’t glaring at the lady who nudged me—even though she was finding the entire situation far too amusing. Before I could unleash my fury, I felt a small hand on my sodden shoulder.
It proved to be Lady Davina, His Grace’s sister, gently tugging me away from the table, preventing a further scene. Another lady I had never met joined her in ushering me away from the ballroom, wrapping me in a shawl as we rounded a corner.
They pressed me silently, hurrying me along, before we reached the ladies’ retiring room. There, the stranger burst into a flurry of French that I didn’t understand. Though the words were foreign, the tone was less than kind. Her words were directed at Lady Davina, and she gestured repeatedly toward the door.
Lady Davina replied in English. “You’re right, we shouldn’t have invited her. We just felt there would be more scandal if we snubbed her.”
The stranger switched to English though her accent remained. “Clearly, inviting her preventedallthe scandal.” She tossed the words with casual sarcasm. I was in awe that such a tone could be directed toward the sister of a duke. “At least she would not be terrorizing your guests were she not present.”
Finally, I could take no more. “What is happening?”
Lady Davina put her arm around me consolingly. “I am so sorry. Lady James bump had nothing to do with you. She is unhappy that you danced with my brother.”
“Who? Why would anyone be unhappy about that?”
“Charlotte, Lady James, the woman who knocked into you.”
“That was an accident. Surely you don’t think otherwise?”
The mysterious Frenchwoman interjected. “That was no accident. That was a punishment for dancing with His Grace.”
“She and Xander—Rosehill, the one you were dancing with, were courting. He ended it before she could drag him to the altar. She hasn’t taken it well,” Lady Davina added. At what must have been a confused expression on my face, she continued, “She has since married a baron. But obviously, she is less than pleased with that outcome. She shoved you on purpose because you danced with my brother.”
“But… it was just a dance. Not even a waltz.”
“Xander was the wealthiest eligible gentleman in the room, with the highest title to accompany it. And she failed to secure him. You’ve been in society for mere weeks, and at your first ball, you’re asked to dance by him for the first set. I believe she meant to set you down.”
“Oui, it was masterfully done as well. Almost no one saw her efforts, only the aftermath. Except perhaps Mr. Parker, for she loves to impress him by being wretched.”
“I’m sorry, we haven’t been introduced?”
“Oh, I’m so sorry.” Lady Davina said. “This is the Marchioness of Rycliffe. She is my eldest brother’s widow. Cee, this is Miss Kate Summers, she is the niece of the Dowager Duchess of Sutton.”
“A pleasure to meet you formally,mon amie.”
“You as well, Lady Rycliffe.”
“Celine, please.”
I was certain my aunt would not approve, but I agreed to the informality. If she could rescue me from a ballroom, I could refer to her as she wished.
Lady Davina continued, “We will need to call for your carriage, Kate. Do you want me to find your aunt? Or do you wish to send your carriage back for her?”
“My carriage?”
“Your dress…”
“Yes, it’s quite sticky, but that’s hardly the end of the world.”
“It’s transparent, Kate.”
My blood ran cold.
How could I not have considered that? Oh lord, the entire ballroom… The entire ballroom had seen me.
“How bad?”
“Oh, I’m sure no one noticed.” Her tone and uncharacteristically small hand gestures told another story. When I lifted a brow in disbelief she continued. “At least it’s only your back?”
