Walking up the stairs, she forced a smile onto her face and went to take tea with her brother.
CHAPTERNINETEEN
Forrest stood, as he did most evenings his cousins forced him into society, back slightly from their group. He was not raised like the Deville brothers had been. Yes, there had been such occasions in India, but he had not ventured out a great deal.
“Get in here,” Gabe said, waving him forward.
“I am observing.”
“Well, observe from here. Standing behind us makes you look like Fairfax.”
“Would Fairfax be in such a setting?”
“If we were hosting a ball, then yes, he would,” Nathan said.
He moved forward and into their group. With them were their women, and Zach of course. But Forrest knew that would not be for long. The man liked women and flirting with them. He would soon be moving through the room doing so.
Dimity was here, much to the horror of some of those present. She was with child and in the advanced stages. But she had a love of music, and tonight a renowned composer was to perform.
“We picked up your Miss Knight two days ago, Forrest,” Beth said.
Her arm was through Nathan’s, and they stood together. Happiness radiated off them.
“Where and why did you pick up Miss Knight?” Forrest asked.
Something was off with Ruby and had been since their trip to Gunter’s. She was pale and had dark smudges under her eyes. He’d asked if she was ill, but she had said she wasn’t.
“Hello.”
Forrest heard the low growl from Zach and elbowed him in the ribs. “Behave, or you will have to go and apologize again, and I will not be keeping you company this time.” He raised his voice slightly. “Good evening, Miss Blake.”
“Mary, you look lovely this evening,” Beth said. Releasing her fiancé, she held out both hands to her friend.
“I look hideous, but until I can shoot my mother and take control of my own wardrobe selections, I fear there is little I can do.”
Forrest enjoyed Mary’s wit and secretly thought that perhaps there was a great deal more to Zach’s animosity than he realized. However, he kept that to himself for now.
Mary did tend to be a fashion disaster, and she was aware of that fact. Tonight, she wore a green that was more the color of mildew than anything else. There seemed to be a large amount of stiff fabric making up the dress, which fell in clumpy folds to the floor.
“You look beautiful, Mary,” Nathan said loyally.
“No, I don’t, but I don’t mind. If I’m dressed like this, I don’t have to dance with any of the fools present.”
“Why are all the men present fools?” Zach asked in a chilly tone.
She gave him a cool look. “Because with most of them beauty comes before brains. They see nothing beyond that.”
“Harsh and untrue,” Zach snapped.
Mary glared and then turned her back on Zach.
“It’s not true,” he said, stepping around her so they were facing each other.
“And they are off.” Dimity sighed.
“He will say something and be forced by us to apologize, as it’s always him that takes it too far. This game is becoming old,” Beth said.
“Getting back to Miss Knight. Where did you pick her up?” Forrest asked.
