Dulcenia wasn’t sure what to think, so she just pushed her misgivings aside and headed downstairs.
She stiffened slightly when she saw the marquess conversing with Lady Jane Allen and her intimate circle of friends at the dining table, but she ignored them all as she walked over to the sideboard and pretended a great interest in the selection there.
She could feel someone walk over to her, and although she imagined it was Lord Dalhousie, she turned to find Lord Marcus Keane at her side. “Might I suggest the ham? It is exceptionally delightful this morning.” His gaze traveled the length of her body and some of her appetite waned.
“I appreciate the recommendation, my lord,” she returned evenly. “But I think I shall have the eggs.”
He crossed his arms and studied her so long that she almost started to fidget. “You have become a pleasant surprise, Miss Hargrove.”
Her forehead creased as she quickly filled her plate. “What do you mean?”
He shrugged. “Merely that in London you were more… reserved, but in a more intimate setting, you are beginning to shine with a brilliance I find quite alluring.” He dared to reach out and run the backs of his fingers along her bare arm.
Dulcenia shivered, but it wasn’t in delight. It was odd, because he was cut from the same cloth as Lord Dalhousie, a veritable rake, and yet, she had only experienced pleasure when she was near the marquess, not this sudden alarm that warned of impending danger.
“Miss Hargrove. Good day to you.”
She breathed a slight sigh of relief when the marquess interceded. He actually maneuvered his position so that he was standing as a barrier between her and Lord Marcus. She wondered if it was on purpose.
“Lord Dalhousie.” She inclined her head and decided it was a good time for her to make her escape. She was done conversing with Lord Marcus, and she wasn’t exactly sure how she might face the marquess just yet.
Dulcenia was about to sit down away from the rest of the assemblage when her name was called. She looked over to see Lady Jane smiling at her. But she would have been a fool to interpret the slight curve to the other woman’s lips as anything but manipulative. “Miss Hargrove, won’t you come join us?”
While Dulcenia would have liked nothing better to decline and dine alone, she reluctantly walked over to where they sat in a cluster at the end of the dining table. It looked as though they had already eaten, so when Dulcenia sat down and picked up her fork, she was the awkward debutante once more.
“How are you enjoying yourself thus far, Miss Hargrove?” Lady Jane asked brightly. “Since thisisyour first time at Ross Hall.”
The other ladies looked on with a collective smirk, as if they found this to be shocking. Dulcenia merely patted her mouth with her serviette and replied evenly, “It’s very nice.”
“You missed a rather fun evening of charades last night,” Lady Jane went on with a toss of her red hair. “The marquess was particularly engaging.”
Dulcenia swallowed hard. She had thought Lord Dalhousie might have retired when she had, but apparently, he had chosen to extend his torrid evening by flirting with the other ladies in attendance. But really, was she surprised? It wasn’t as though he was about to take their courtship seriously when it hadn’t even been his idea. The fact he was here at Lady Osbourne’s behest was a miracle in itself.
“I’m sure he was,” she returned when there was a pause in the conversation, as if some sort of reaction was expected of her.
Lady Jane put her elbow on the table and put her chin in her hand. Her blue eyes were wide and sparkling with interest. “What do you plan to do today, Miss Hargrove? We were just talking about how fun it might be to find a target among the assemblage.”
Again, the other girls snickered, and Dulcenia nearly rolled her eyes, for the double entendre was not lost on her. “I find such sport tiresome.”
“Do you?” Lady Jane countered. “Does that mean that an arrow has already struck you in the heart?”
“No,” Dulcenia had to fight to keep herself from shoving the food into her mouth, just so she could end this dreadful inquisition and leave the table.
“Are you quite sure about that?” the other girl persisted.
She eyed her nemesis steadily. “Yes. Quite.”
Lady Jane leaned closer, as if imparting a secret, or perhaps a shared confidence. “That’s not what I heard,” she whispered.
Immediately, the fare Dulcenia had consumed congealed in her midsection. She set down her fork, knowing she couldn’t take another bite. “Gossip is generally never accurate,” she returned.
Those blue eyes sparkled almost maliciously. “Oh, I think in this case, it is. Come now,” she cajoled. “You can tell me if you have a fancy for someone in particular. I swear it will not leave this circle.”
Dulcenia doubted that was true, although she kept that opinion to herself. “While I do appreciate that, Lady Jane, you’ll forgive me if I have nothing to share.” She shoved her chair back.
“You’re not leaving yet, are you?” The lady asked innocently.
Dulcenia set down her serviette and got to her feet. “I believe I will take a stroll outside before the festivities begin.”
