Dory couldn’t stay quiet at such an absurd statement. “Not Lord Harewood. He is not interested in me for a wife.”
Lady Sommerset’s brows lowered. “I’m surprised by that. He has spent a significant time with you.”
“That may be true, but not at my request.” She wished to elaborate, but as Harewood was a good friend of Lady Sommerset’s, she forced herself to say no more on the subject.
Lady Sommerset turned back to her sister, no expression on her face. “Actually, it is Lord Dearling who has clearly won Dory’s heart. She just accepted his proposal of marriage, once he receives permission from her father.”
Lady Northwick did not immediately rejoice. “Dory, is this true?”
She nodded, surprised that her teacher would not be more pleased.
Lady Sommerset, who still held her arm, answered. “It is true. I just heard the proposal. I would like to discuss this with Dory further. If anyone asks after us, we will be in the library where we can have some privacy. Joanna, would you like to join us?”
“No. You are Dory’s chaperone and know more about what has occurred than I. However, if you need my counsel, I am always available.”
The last was directed at Dory, and she appreciated the offer. The duchess was respected by all of them.
“Now, I need to search out my husband, as I’m sure a waltz will soon be played, and we do not dance together nearly enough.” Lady Northwick chuckled before moving away through the crowd.
Dory didn’t have time to aid in her instructor’s search as Lady Sommerset pulled her forward, heading for the ballroom doors to the main corridor.
Her chaperone’s lack of smiles had her instinct telling her this may not be a pleasant conversation. Nervous, she walked with Lady Sommerset, but as they approached the wide opening to the corridor, she felt a chill. Looking to her right, she found Lord Leighhall scowling at her, his fury not only clear in his blueeyes, but in his curled fists. She glanced past him to see Lord Dearling talking animatedly to Lord Manning and another man she didn’t know.
She quickened her steps to match up to Lady Sommerset’s, not at all sure what Leighhall would do now that he knew she was to marry, but confident he would do something.
As they entered the library, Lady Sommerset closed the doors, then walked past her to two chairs set at a large, rectangle table. “Join me.” The countess sat in one of the chairs and arranged her dress. “I’m anxious to hear how this proposal came about.”
With no help for it, Dory walked over and pulled out the chair next to her chaperone. Lowering herself into it, she slumped back. “To be truthful, I did not expect it, but I should have. And to think I bragged one night about being observant.”
“Now, that was not what I expected to hear. Were you not hoping for a suitor by the end of this house party?” Lady Sommerset cocked her head, a kind smile lifting her lips.
“I did.” Even as the question as to what she should reveal materialized in her mind, her trust in Lady Sommerset, built over the last fortnight, especially the last six days, gave her the answer. She would tell her everything, or rather almost everything. Sitting up, she folded her arms on the table before her and narrated all that had happened concerning Lord Dearling and Lord Harewood, except the personal moments she and Fen had in her room. She would treasure those as if he’d been a different person from the arrogant earl who played with her affections.
She wasn’t sure how long she spoke, but by the time she finished with the unexpected proposal, she felt as if she’d relived every moment and wanted to simply sleep and forget. The fire of her anger seemed to have been snuffed out by a lack of will.That Lady Sommerset did not interrupt once had her wondering if she’d conducted herself poorly.
The countess rose, stepping behind her own chair, one hand resting lightly on the back. “I don’t think I can truly express how proud I am at your conduct here.” She held up her hand. “No, going into Lord Harewood’s room with Rose was not admirable. However, from what you have told me, you have conducted yourself beautifully.”
“I did?” It was the last statement she’d expected to hear. She was sure she had made many missteps or she wouldn’t be in such an awkward position of having a broken heart over one man and accepting the care of another man’s heart for life.
Lady Sommerset rolled her eyes. “Yes, you did. Tell me. Why did you accept Lord Dearling’s proposal?”
“My mother.”
“Your mother? Oh, I see. Is it that you fear your mother will…”
“Yes, cause a scandal by being caught with a man who is not my father.”
Lady Sommerset clasped her hands over the back of the chair. “That, I understand. But you do not love Lord Dearling.”
“No. But he loves me and is very solicitous, if a bit awkward at times.” She forced a weak smile. Compared to Harewood, Dearling was like a lamb to a wolf. But unlike Harewood, hewantedher in his life.
Lady Sommerset straightened, her brows lowering. “I am not pleased with Harewood. He did not treat you well. Not only did he make you think he cared for you, he made me think so too. I wonder if that is why my husband didn’t think you should accept Lord Dearling’s proposal. But if he already knew you were anexperiment”—she shook her head, obviously not pleased—“it doesn’t make sense. And I can tell you that when my sisterdiscovers Harewood felt the need to make her school appear worthwhile, when it is already, shewillconfront him.”
She relished the idea of the duchess giving Harewood a set down far more than she should. While his motivation was understandable, his execution had lacked forethought. That was what hurt. She wished he’d only damaged her ego and not her heart, but he had the opposite effect.
“If it were anyone but Harewood, I would confront him for his arrogance myself.” Lady Sommerset sighed as she resumed her seat. “My sister’s death changed him, so over the years, we’ve all made allowances, but that he chose you as an experiment is far beyond the pale.”
Dory set her hand on the table, as if she could somehow explain her riotous emotions now that her anger only simmered. “He is suffering enough that he still loves your sister, and if I had been more observant, as the duchess taught us, I would not have expected more than the truth.”
