Page 18 of To Tempt a Scandalous Lord
“But I’m no coward, and my record, my political stances have to be held accountable. I can’t hide away at the first bit of criticism, or else I’d be hiding forever.” His severe face suddenly brightened as a wide grin flashed across his lips. “Plus, the promise of dancing this waltz with you was more than enough inducement to get me out the door.”
They stared at each other until time ceased to exist. She no longer heard the music.
The people that danced around them faded into the ether. At that moment, she was only aware of Inverray. Alicia glimpsed warmth and fondness swirling in his gray eyes, as well as a healthy dose of respect.
Would he look at her in quite the same way if he knew it was her words that had turned his political life on its head? She swallowed back a painful lump. Alicia thought not.
“Niall, will you and Lady Lindsay sit with us during dinner?”
Jerking back, Alicia turned her head and blinked into the Duchess of Ashwood’s smiling face. She had met the woman earlier in the evening, and now she stood with her duke a few feet away, a curious lift to her brows. Only then did Alicia realize the orchestra had ceased playing, and the couples were exiting the dance floor. If they had not been interrupted, how long would they have stared at each other in a silent battle of wills?
“Of course,” Inverray murmured. He moved to step back and a loud ripping sound rent the air.
It took Alicia a moment to understand what it was, and when she did, horror stole her breath away.
His coat had become ensnared in her ruby broach. When the marquess had moved away from her, he’d ripped the broach from her gown along with the bodice. The garment now draped down the middle, giving anyone standing close enough an unobstructed view of her lace chemise and corset.
With a choked cry, Alicia gathered the tattered bits of bodice about her as she attempted to shield herself from the crowd beginning to take note that something was wrong.
“Lady Lindsay, you appear cold. Why don’t you take my wrap to warm yourself?” Juliana said, not waiting for Alicia to respond before she draped her silk shawl about her shoulders.
Alicia grasped it eagerly, tucking it about herself. Calling on every ounce of courage she had, she looked up at the marquess. But he wasn’t looking at her. Following the direction of his stare, dread crushed down upon her like granite stones as she took in the curious guests surrounding them. Guests who were already whispering behind their hands. When Lady Ellis broke propriety to point at Niall, Alicia whipped her head around to see why.
Her broach, and the torn piece of her red gown, were still stuck to his coat. Like an overambitious predator, it dangled from him as if it might subdue him at any moment. It was obvious the bits of material had come from her gown, and Alicia longed to call on the earth to open and swallow her whole.
The random scraps of conversation happening around her revealed no one really knew what had occurred, but they all had an opinion about it.
Do you suppose he attacked her and ripped her gown?
They were dancing too close…
Typical Scotsman, no doubt overcome with lust.
A sharp gasp flew from her mouth. They thought Inverray had attacked her? On a crowded Mayfair dance floor? Why they would ever think the marquess capable of such atrocious behavior, she did not know, but…but perhaps she did. For all of Inverray’s success and wealth and status, he would still always be considered a Scotsman who didn’t know his place.
The injustice of it had her opening her mouth to defend his honor, when Inverray’s hand closed around her arm.
“I thank you all for your concern for Lady Lindsay, but it was a silly accident. If she hadn’t been so excited about my offer of marriage, her broach would not have snagged on my coat.” Inverray looked at her, sympathy in his eyes as he said the next words. “I offer my apologies to her ladyship and my future marchioness.”
…
The words slipped around his tightly clenched teeth like water, uttered with no prior consultation with his mind. And yet…they felt natural. Necessary.
It was obvious the countess disagreed for she laughed, as if he had just made a jest. Niall did not fault her. The whole situation had grown completely out of their control.
But what else could he do?
Lady Lindsay’s gown had been falling about her waist, with terror strips of red across her cheekbones, as she clutched the red material to hide herself. In that moment, with his skin humming with frantic energy, Niall had just wanted to protect her. To shield her.
And now she was to be his wife.
Lightheadedness stole away his equilibrium for a moment, and he swayed on his feet.
Wrenching his gaze away from Lady Lindsay, he looked to Juliana. Niall swallowed when his sister nodded, as if all the words that had fallen from Inverray’s lips were logical and true.
The countess hiccupped a giggle. “Surely you must be joking,” she whispered.
The weight of the crowd’s stares fixed on them was starting to suffocate, and Niall knew they had to play their part in the scandal unfurling like a pirate’s flag about them or all would be ruined.
