“My love, let me introduce you to Lord Trey Worthington, and his lovely wife, Lady Judith Worthington.” He looked at his cousin. “And this is Lady Lyndsey Dorsey.”
Lyndsey smiled and curtsied. She loved being calledLadyDorsey.
“We just heard about your brother’s new title.” Trey grinned. “Marquess of Kentwood, eh?”
Adrian. “Indeed. It’s rather remarkable, is it not?”
Suddenly, the crowd in the yard quieted, but one lone voice ripped through the air, disturbing the silence. All heads swung toward the woman wearing a silver and blue gown – cut in a fashion Lyndsey had never seen before, the gown’s waist being lower than was currently fashionable. The woman’s blonde hair was fixed in an elegant twist on top of her head and a few tendrils hung by her ears.
She stood in front of Collin, scowling. The surprised look on his face made Lyndsey wonder if he knew this woman. The woman was extremely irate, evidenced by her loud voice and the way she flung her arms in wild gestures.
“You ruined my family because of your roguish actions,” the lady shouted. “And you ruined...mylife!”
Lyndsey was embarrassed, not only for the outraged woman with so many spectators around, but also for Collin who had obviously been very reckless in the past.
“Adeline—”
“I’mLadyKentwood to you!”
Trey sucked in a loud breath. “Oh, my... The rumors are true.”
Adrian groaned and rubbed his forehead. “Yes, they are.”
Lyndsey frowned. Gossip would spread like wildfire now. This was not good. And where was her sister? Lyndsey prayed Prissy wasn’t hearing any of this.
Finally, Collin straightened his shoulders and moved closer to the woman. He nodded toward the manor. “I think that we should take this conversation somewhere that’s more private.”
“Private?” The woman’s voice shrieked. “So you can ruin my reputation even more?”
“Lady Kentwood.” Collin’s expression hardened. “I really must insist.”
“You can insist all you’d like for the good it will do,” the lady snapped, “but I will never willingly go into a private room with you ever again.”
Adrian released another groan, and this time, Lyndsey joined him. Collin must be humiliated, and to be honest, she was getting a little upset that the woman showed no scruples or decorum. After all, she was making her alreadyruinedreputation worse by airing her grievances in public – and at a wedding party, no less.
“Worthington,” Adrian grumbled.
Trey looked at him. “Yes?”
“Would you help me break up this scene and escort the lady off our property?”
“Gladly.”
As the two men marched toward Collin, Lyndsey wrung her hands at her waist and searched for Priscilla. Her sister was probably devastated and would need comforting. Lyndsey spotted her sister standing with Lizzie and Jannette. Both the younger sisters had their arms protectively around a white-faced Priscilla. Lyndsey’s heart broke for her.
It didn’t take long before Adrian and Trey were able to escort Lady Kentwood toward her waiting coach, but as soon as the woman climbed inside and the driver pulled away, Collin snapped out of his stupor and ran toward the vehicle. Adrian tried to stop Collin, but he pushed his brother away, mounted a horse, and rode off after the coach.
Within moments, the crowd began talking – in low voices at first, but which gradually grew louder. Lizzie and Jannette took Priscilla inside the manor.
Lyndsey hurried toward them, but Adrian stopped her and took her in his arms.
“I’m so sorry this happened at our wedding,” he whispered in her ear.
Nodding, she looked into his eyes. “My poor sister.”
“Yes. I’m sure this has broken her heart.”
He kissed Lyndsey’s forehead. “We’ll help her get through this. In fact...” He smiled. “I have a few friends who are in need of a good wife to straighten them out.”
