Page 10 of Wickeds Scandal
They wovethrough Lady Dobson’s guests who chattered like magpies as they dissecteddresses, escorts, and marriages. The ladies gowns were bright spots ofcolor, lovely yellows, subdued rosy pinks, dark blues and greens.Alexandra looked down at her blue gray gown. Her gown contrasted sharplywith the hues floating through the room and she suddenly felt like the drabcountry mouse Lady Dobson had called her. Casually, she looked throughthe crowd, hoping to catch a glimpse of Lord Reynolds, but his dark visage wasno where to be found.
Her unclebrought her alongside a tall, slender, blonde gentleman who stood against a farwall. Apart from the other groups dotting the ballroom, his form laypartially hidden in the shadows of a far corner. His eyes, an icy, paleblue, immediately ran over her form in appraisal.
The colorrose in Alexandra’s cheeks along with anger at being inspected in such away. But her ire dissipated as the man gave her a warm, kindsmile. His evening clothes, a formal black, fit him toperfection. His cravat was expertly tied and in such acomplicated knot that Alexandra marveled at his valet’s talent. Hair,which reminded her of ripened wheat, toppled over his forehead. One palehand rested on a fashionable walking stick. A wolf’s head, the eyesglittering rubies, graced the top. Good breeding emanated from himand Alexandra wondered how in the world he knew Oliver Burke.
“Mr. Runyon,my niece.” Her uncle practically pushed her into Mr. Runyon’s arms. “MissAlexandra Dunforth.”
Alexandrastumbled a bit as Mr. Runyon took her arm. Her uncle discarded her nonetoo gently. Humiliation made her face burn.
Mr. Runyonwrinkled his perfect nose at her uncle’s manner, but said nothing. Histouch was light and polite, the elegant fingers warm on her arm. He wasnot as tall as Lord Reynolds, but still much taller than Alexandra.
“MissDunforth.” His voice was smooth and melodic. He took Alexandra’sgloved hand and brushed it with his lips. The pale blue eyes looked ather with curiosity.
OdiousOliver pinched the back of her arm, reminding her to dip into a small curtsy.“Mr. Runyon,” she tilted her head, “it is a pleasure to meet you.”
Lord Burkerubbed his ham-like hands together. “Well? We can sign the papersthis evening.” The ballroom wasn’t overly warm, but beads of sweatclustered on her uncle’s forehead. One of his eyes twitched.
Alexandranow knew how horses felt as gentlemen haggled over them. How she hatedher uncle.
Mr. Runyongave her uncle a pinched, unpleasant look. The lips under the lightblonde mustache curled a bit.
Alexandrawas given the distinct impression that Mr. Runyon didn’t care for OliverBurke.
“MissDunforth, it is a great pleasure to meet you.” He gave Lord Burke an icyglance. “Your uncle did not do justice to your looks or charm.”
Alexandranodded to him, wondering at the oddity of having two handsome men flirt withher in the same evening. And Mr. Runyon was handsome. She’d wronglyassumed that her uncle would try to marry her off to one of his gamblingcronies, most of who looked like wrinkled trolls. Not someone soobviously wealthy and attractive.
“I’m sureyou are full of questions, Miss Dunforth, as well I would be if our situationswere reversed. I would like to answer them.” He turned to heruncle. “Lord Burke, if you don’t mind I would like to take Miss Dunforthfor a turn about the terrace. I’m sure she could do with arespite.”
Her unclelooked at if he might object. His eye twitched again.
“Of course,I-“
“Will waitfor Miss Dunforth in your carriage. You should escort her home as it isquite late.” Mr. Runyon’s pale blue eyes bored into her uncle.
OdiousOliver nodded dumbly. He held up one pudgy finger, meaning to admonishher with it, before Mr. Runyon cleared his throat.
“Goodevening, Lord Burke. You may call on me tomorrow.”
Mr. Runyonturned his back on her uncle, dismissing him. “Come, Miss Dunforth.We shall take a turn around the terrace and get to know one another. I amnot a monster.” His eyes twinkled at her. “I’ve no wish for you tothink me one.”
Alexandraflushed, charmed by Mr. Runyon’s easy grace. Her mind raced with the possibilitythat perhaps he would help her.
He guidedher deftly to a row of tall doors, thrown open to let in the air at the back ofthe ballroom. A blast of cooler air slid across her arms and she sighedin relief.
Mr. Runyonchuckled. “Dreadful in there isn’t it? Too much hot air!”
Alexandralaughed in return, delighted with his joke. “You are not fond of theseevents, Mr. Runyon?”
“No, I fearI am more of a homebody, thus my unmarried state.” He grinned ruefully ather. “I have spent many years living abroad and have only justreturned.” He brought her over to the edge of the terrace.Alexandra could see the outlines of the garden lit dimly with colored paperlanterns. The muffled whispers of other couples hidden along theterrace reached her ears. Kisses were being stolen. She touched theside of her mouth briefly.
“I met youruncle quite by chance while playing cards with a group of friends. Hementioned during the game that he had a niece who he wished to havemarry.” He gave her an apologetic look. “Lord Burke proceeded tolist your long list of undesirable traits, education, love of books, how youexpressed your opinions…”
“Didhe?” Alexandra interjected defensively. How dare her uncle discussher in such a way.
Mr. Runyonsqueezed her arm. “Pray do not take offense! I found all of yoursupposed flaws to be highly valued. At least to me.” The windruffled his light colored hair and she caught the light masculine scent ofhim. She thought of Lord Reynolds and the smell of cinnamon. “I amquite shy Miss Dunforth and not at all good at courting. Which is why Iagreed to our meeting.” One slender hand reached up and stroked hisbeautifully tied cravat. “Your uncle wishes you to marry and I–well – I am in need of a wife. My father, who is quiteelderly, and I are estranged. I was quite the social disaster in my youthand much too naïve. I acted foolishly and brought some shame to myfather.” He held his hand up. “Nothing nefarious I assureyou. I made a cow of myself over a woman. I became quitedespondent. I was the laughingstock of theton. I’ve been loatheto pursue a woman since.”
“I will notagree to marry a man I do not know.” Alexandra stated firmly.
