“Of course they are, darling, you look radiant.” He flashed an overly bright smile at an elderly lady fanning herself; she threw him a nasty glance back.
“No, that is not why they are staring.” Elizabeth knew a withering glare when she saw one.
Milton downed his own punch. “I warned you our marriage would cause a stir.” He set his glass upon a nearby table just as a stiff-necked couple approached.
“Milton.” The gentleman nodded while the man’s wife failed to acknowledge Elizabeth at all.
“Stevens.” Milton drew himself tall. “My wife, Baroness of Milton,” he introduced. “Elizabeth, may I present Lord and Lady Stevens, of Cavendish Hall.”
“My pleasure.” Elizabeth gave the lord her hand while the man’s wife eyed her with open hostility. “Lady Stevens.” Elizabeth forced herself to smile. “It is an honor. Are you well acquainted with the Denbighs?”
“Why, I should think.” The lady sniffed. “I have known their granddaughter since birth. She ismostimpressive.”
“Undeniably, madam.” Elizabeth wracked her brain for conversation. “Though I’ve yet to have the honor of?—”
“And such promising prospects. I imagine amarquessmay even be within Miss Pendrake’s reach,” she gloated.
Elizabeth tightened her grip on her husband’s arm. “Or perhaps aduke, Lady Stevens, is not out of the question? My husband is good friends with His Grace, the Duke of Allendale, whose wife, as you know, is Miss Pendrake’s cousin. Why, just the other day the Duchess and I took tea together. Such a lovely woman, the Duchess.”
Milton squeezed Elizabeth’s waist as the lady’s scowl deepened.
“To be sure, Miss Pendrake could well achieve marriage to a duke, what with her superiorbreeding,” the lady intoned. “Certainly better than a mere baron.”
Elizabeth stiffened. “Oh, I should never disparage a baron, Lady Stevens.” She let her eyes disparage Lord Stevens before pressing her body closer into Milton’s. “A baron’s ability to so wholly devote himself to his wife’s every pleasure is a benefit of marriage I cannot recommend enough.”
Lord Stevens’ jaw dropped while his wife turned red with indignation.
Elizabeth pinched her lips into a smile. “Milton, darling, shall we?”
“Of course, dear. If you’ll excuse us, Stevens, my lady.”
He led Elizabeth away, but not before she felt his hand drop and pat her bottom, in plain view of both snobs.
The moment they were out of sight, however, she slumped against his arm. “Did I offend, husband?” Milton’s face held the oddest expression. “I admit, my tongue can run away with me, but I could not stand the manner in which that woman?—”
He swept her into a dimly lit corner to steal a most improper, passionate kiss, hiding her behind his tall frame. “You were thrilling, Lady Milton.” He pressed his bulging waist into her hips. “A perfect foil to those nasty fobs. And if we weren’t at a blasted ball right now, I’d show my gratitude by lifting your skirts and pleasuring you till you screamed my name.”
Elizabeth nearly puddled to the floor.
“But alas, such pleasure must wait.” His face dimpled. “We’ve rounds of conversation to get through yet.” He led her back out of the shadows. “I’ll fetch you something stronger than punch to resettle you, dear.”
Elizabeth needed that drink. She neededsomethingto take her mind off the man who’d just stolen all air from her lungs. Again.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Annabelle anxiously scanned the Denbigh ballroom for her sister, whom she’d yet to see. Worse still, she was forced to dance another round with Mr. Finch, who stood just short enough the fellow’s noxious breath fell hot upon her décolletage. Bad enough the message this second dance sent, but the man also barely knew his steps, forcing her to back-lead him.
Pure torture.
She envied every other lady at this ball, but most especially the lady at its center: Miss Mercy Pendrake.Shedanced with one fine gentleman after another, the flowers woven into her hair winking as she twirled past, her face lit with joy. She burned so bright with promise Annabelle felt certain the young lady would wed by season’s end. Whereas if Annabelle did not find a way out of Mr. Finch’s odious arms, she’d be wed tohim.
Disapproving stares continued their way; it was obvious to all Mr. Finch did not belong at this affair. Even ladies she’d been introduced to hid their faces behind their fans when she chanced to meet their eyes. Gentlemen looked right through her, as if she were tainted by association. Which she was, for Mr. Finch would never have been granted entry to this ball were it not for her father’s embarrassing groveling at the door. Or perhaps itwas news of her sister’s scandalous marriage that had theTonall staring at her so? Annabelle searched again for Lizzie. Had the Baron not come? She needed a friend, someone, to save her from her misery, to rescue her from the repulsive Mr. Finch.
***
From clear across the ballroom, Milton scowled at the man currently dancing with Elizabeth. He didn’t like what he saw, nor did he enjoy the Duke of Allendale’s sharp elbow to his ribs.
“What?” he snapped.
