Strange advice, for she wouldn’t envy anyone in her position, not for a moment.
Even stranger, upon seeing him waiting at the foot of the stairs, dressed impeccably in dark blue tails with a bright white shirt and gray waistcoat, the familiar sizzling heat winged through her.
How could she still want Foxford so much when he had hurt people by his careless assignations?If she allowed herself to think he might hurt her, then she would not be able to go through with it. And that would be an even bigger debacle since her father had already placed an announcement in the papers, leaving outThe Times, as the earl now considered those publishers an enemy of his family.
As Foxford came closer, she saw the damage. Lord Varley had given as good as he got, it seemed.
The baron greeted her parents, not calling attention to the bruises on his cheek and around his eye, nor did they. Purity knew she was supposed to ignore the fact that her fiancé had been brawling.
When he offered his arm to her, she laid her hand atop it, letting him guide her into the ballroom, with Lord and Lady Diamond following.
“No flummery at all, kitten. You are without a doubt the most beautiful woman here.”
Purity thought she must be wavering in her strict standards. Even though she could not believe his words to be true —after all, her lovely mother stood close by— still, she not only allowed him the flattery, she enjoyed it.
“Thank you. And you are looking very fine tonight, my lord, at least in your dress if not your face.”
He grinned, and the butterflies took off in her stomach.
“Varley and I disagreed on a few things, like whether he ought to be allowed to sit smugly eating roast beef when he is a horse’s arse.”
“Foxford!” Purity exclaimed. “While I appreciate your defending me, as I believe you were doing, I cannot condone such actions. You were both injured.”
He faltered in his steps and came to a stop where there was room for all of them by large, curtained windows.
“How do you know he was injured?” His manner was no longer congenial.
“Lord Varley paid me a visit.” There was no reason to hide the fact.
“Why? What was his purpose?” Foxford’s tone was clipped.
“He said he came to warn me away from you.”
“That pompous toad!” he said loudly enough that her parents’ conversation halted momentarily behind them before resuming.
“Calm yourself, my lord. Tonight, we are supposed to be happily enjoying our engagement, remember?”
He hesitated and then took a deep breath.
“I saw the announcement,” he said, sounding more like himself. “We are now official.”
“Indeed, we are.” Glancing around, Purity saw plain evidence of interest.
Guests were staring, mouths were moving, and expressions held varying degrees of pity, amusement, or disdain. It didn’t help that he was yelling aboutpompous toads.
She looked at her parents. They were already chatting with their long-time friends, Lord and Lady Trent. In the next moment, Lord and Lady Fenwick approached. It was wonderful to see the elderly couple attending a ball with no duty other than to dance and have fun.
“Good evening, my lord, my lady,” Purity said, curtsying to both at once.
“I thought these two would make a match,” Lord Fenwick said. “Didn’t I say that, wife? Directly after our party for the young people?”
“Yes, Fenwick dear, you did.” His wife nodded to them. “He did, you know.”
“I shall always be grateful for your part in introducing me to my fiancée,” Foxford said smoothly. “Your wedding invitation is being printed as we speak.”
“Such a good man,” Lady Fenwick said.
Purity watched Foxford’s cheeks darken slightly. He was probably unused to anyone saying that in public or in private, for that matter.
