“Ready?” she whispered while linking her arm with his.
“Yes.” He smiled, a little amused at how easy life was with her by his side.
They started up the front steps and joined the receiving line. No one seemed to pay them much notice at first, but then, as they drew nearer to where the Reddings stood and the number of guests increased, whispers began to circle around them, accompanied by critical glances cast in their direction.
I can’t believe they’re here.
The nerve of them.
They have some gall.
I cannot bear to be in his presence.
Can you believe she married that man?
It’s not as though she could do any better.
Marcus clenched his jaw while anger settled between his shoulder blades. Who the hell did these people think they were? He wanted to shout at them in frustration, tell them all to bugger off, and retreat to a quiet corner somewhere so he could have Louise to himself.
He was still trying to get his temper under control when she turned, gave the crowd behind them a sweep with her gaze, and calmly said, “Oh look. Thanks to your brilliant skill,SirMarcus, I can not only hear but also see whose presence I’m in. How lovely.”
The anger building inside him collided with humor, prompting a choked sound to rise from his throat. “Are you saying you wish I’d been less successful?”
“Oh no. That would deprive me of gazing on your handsome face every day. But it is good to know whom to avoid in the future.” She gave him a cheeky look that instantly made him wish he could toss her over his shoulder and haul her off to bed.
Marcus grinned. “Indeed it is, Lady Berkly.”
When they reached Redding and his wife moments later, they were greeted with warm smiles. “We’re so glad you’ve come,” Lady Redding said. “Tonight will be life-altering for you. You’ll see.”
Marcus gave them each a curious look. “Really?”
Redding served Marcus a smug smile. “We’ve rallied the troops. Your knighthood is just the beginning, Marcus.”
Unsure of what to expect, Marcus and Louise continued inside where footmen helped them with their outerwear garments. The Redding butler, serving as majordomo for the evening, faced the ballroom and announced, “Sir Marcus Berkly and Lady Berkly.”
Silence ensued as all chatter ceased and everyone turned to stare toward them. Never before had Marcus felt more like an artifact at a museum. His skin started to prick and a most uncomfortable heat began to encase him, squeezing at him from all sides.
Rooted to the floor by sheer force of will, he stood his ground while submitting himself to the censure of the men and women who’d once sought his favor.
Scornful looks stared back as if urging them both to leave. Until a firm voice rose from the crowd. “Welcome, Sir Marcus. It’s so good of you and your wife to join us.”
Marcus tried to locate the speaker and finally spotted the Duke of Huntley. He and his wife were cutting a path directly toward them, forcing those in their way to step aside and make room.
“We’re delighted to see you again,” said the Duke of Coventry as he and his duchess approached from the right.
“Hear, hear,” came Guthrie’s voice from across the room.
“We couldn’t agree more,” the Earl of Fielding, who stood near Guthrie, hollered while his friend, Baron Hawthorne, clapped in support of this statement.
“If you’ll permit, I’d like to invite Lady Berkly to dance the next set with me,” Mr. Lowell said, appearing with his wife at Marcus’s right.
It took a moment and a nudge from Louise for Marcus to find his voice. The show of acceptance they’d just received was truly overwhelming. He cleared his throat and addressed his employer’s husband. “Only if you will permit me to dance with your wife.”
Mr. Lowell raised a glass of champagne in salute. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Anyone who might protest Marcus’s and Louise’s presence this evening was forced to back away. Marcus took a step forward and led Louise toward the group of assembled men and women who’d just given them their stamp of approval. “Thank you. I cannot begin to tell you all how grateful we are for your help.”
“We know what it’s like to be shunned,” Huntley said.
