Shame washed over her. Unable to bear it, she lifted her skirts and strode into the next court, catching sight of Rose before her vision blurred. Had she accomplished what even her mother hadn’t been able to? Had she tarnished her own reputation? Taking a deep breath, she moved closer to the fountain of Neptune that rose at the center of the gathering area.
Rose, examining the hedge at the back, noticed her. “Could you make sure all the lanterns about the fountain are working properly? Mother is very particular.”
“Of course.” She managed to speak with no catch in her voice and forced herself to look at each and every lantern, from those below the stone basin to the ones suspended above it from a tree. It was quite ingenious, and if she hadn’t just kissed a man and ruined herself, she would further investigate. Unfortunately, her thoughts were firmly placed on the damage she’d perpetrated upon herself.
As she came back around to where she started, she halted as Lord Harewood stood with arms folded, watching her. Ignoring him was her only option, so she continued past, determined to examine the lights above the archway that led to the next court.
“Lady Dorothea.”
Blast, he could not mean to continue their conversation. But to continue to walk away was far too rude, so she halted. Lifting her chin, she turned around. “Yes, Lord Harewood.”
“I believe you were discussing the satisfaction of the intellect causing the emotion referred to as happiness.”
She blinked. Happiness? By the beard of Zeus, he did mean to continue! Well aware that Rose was within hearing distance, she folded her own arms. “I was unaware that you were familiar with such an emotion. If I remember, you did say that happiness was not part of your life.”
Rose sucked in her breath audibly, but the earl simply raised his brows. “And so I did. How good of you to remember.”
The last was said with such sardonic intent that Dory barely kept herself from marching over to him and slapping his face. “I assure you, my lord, that my memory is quite remarkable and my intellect equal to your own.”
A soft giggle came from Rose, who now bent over by a bench doing who knew what.
The earl dropped his arms and took two steps toward her before stopping. In the shadow cast by the limited lighting, it was now more difficult to see his face. “And I can assure you thatmy state of happiness, unhappiness, anger, or pique are all quite in harmony.”
“As I can hardly attest to that, I will accept your word on that subject. My curiosity about it was merely to pass the time.”
He opened his mouth to answer her obvious insult when she heard rustling behind her. She turned in time to find Lady Enderly bearing down on them.
“Felton!” The lady strode into the court, glanced over the area quickly, then turned on Dory. “What are you doing alone out here with my son?”
Surprised by the accusation and not a little guilty for kissing that very man just moments earlier, she took a step back.
“Mother.”
Lady Enderly turned on her son. “Why must I keep saving you from scheming women?”
Her heart stopped in her chest. She tried to breathe, but the shock of such an insult caught her off guard.
“You don’t.” Lord Harewood’s voice remained calm, but with an edge as sharp as honed steal to it, and there was a slight tick beneath his right ear. “As similar to the last time, you are wrong in your assumptions.”
Realizing there was more to the current event than what she knew, Dory took a deep breath at last and lifted her skirts, anxious to leave.
“No, Lady Dorothea. Please stay a moment.” Though he said it kindly, she could sense his anger just beneath the surface. “I feel it only fitting that you witness my mother’s embarrassment.”
Lady Enderly pulled air in through her teeth. “Myembarrassment? Felton, you—”
“He means me, Mother.” Rose stood from her crouched position. “Thethreeof us were inspecting your creation, asyourequested. Dory, did you find any lantern lights amiss on the fountain?”
She quickly answered. “All were lit, but the one from above was weaker than the rest. I wasn’t certain if that was purposeful or not.” She wanted nothing more than to be away from the situation.
Rose walked toward her with a smile. “I believe my mother can decide that. Since we have finished our inspection, let’s go inside. I know Cook made baked apple pudding and I’m quite smitten with autumn apples.”
As Rose took her hand and pulled her along, Dory glanced backward once to see that Lady Enderly and Lord Harewood both stood frozen in place. Despite the warm, summer night air, she felt chilled by the whole episode and shivered.
Rose leaned in. “You won’t want to know what is said. They can go on and on. When I was little, I’d hide in the kitchen. They will both be in a sour mood all day tomorrow.”
She nodded as if she understood, but she didn’t. She was particularly confused by what his mother had said. “Has your brother been caught alone with a lady before?”
“Yes. Well, no. Actually, it was all my fault.” Rose let go of her hand as they stepped through the French doors of the library. She stopped to make sure no one was about. “We don’t talk about it, probably because Mother doesn’t wish me to feel horrible, but I still do.”
