Lord Dearborn's Destiny by Brenda Hiatt Read Free Book Online

Lord Dearborn. Really, this would not do at all!
    To distract herself from the dancers, Ellie turned to survey the entrance, watching with interest as guest after guest arrived to join the burgeoning throng. There was Lady Brookhaven, whom they had met on their first evening out, in a splendid gown of peacock blue. Little Lord Brookhaven, at her side, looked rather like a penguin in comparison, she thought, standing stiffly in his black-and-white evening wear.
    Ellie mused similarly over each of the arriving guests, a few of whom were known to her but most of whom were not. The steady stream was slowing to a trickle as the first set drew to a close, and Ellie sighed as she started to turn away. Just then, however, a familiar face drew her attention back to the door.
    Gracious! she thought. Was that not Sir George Bellamy, the Winston-Fittses' neighbour from Warwickshire? Now, who would have thought that he would come to London for the Season? Ellie clearly recalled him saying, during a dinner at the Winston-Fittses' last year, that he detested all of the hurly-burly of Town. But there was no mistaking that stocky figure and plain, honest face, or the unruly shock of sandy hair. Ellie stepped forward eagerly.
    "Sir George!" she exclaimed. "What a pleasant surprise. I thought you never came to London."
    "Miss O'Day! I am delighted to see you again. You are looking well." He bowed solemnly over her hand. "This particular Season holds a certain attraction for me," he continued somewhat self-consciously, his eyes going past her to the dance floor, where the set was just breaking up.
    Ellie followed his gaze, wondering unhappily if she ought to warn him of her aunt's plans for Rosalind. Sir George had been more or less courting her cousin in his slow, steady way before they had left for London but had never gone so far as to declare himself. Ellie liked Sir George, and did not relish the prospect of seeing him hurt.
    "Sir George," she began, but at that moment Rosalind emerged from the crowded dance floor on Lord Dearborn's arm.
    Ellie thought she looked breathtaking, slightly flushed from her recent exertions, though her face was a bit anxious as she scanned the throng near the door, trying to locate her parents. Suddenly, Rosalind's glance fell on Sir George, and the change in her expression was remarkable. Her eyes sparkled and her cheeks grew very pink as the first truly happy smile Ellie had seen her wear since reaching London lit up her face.
    "Sir George!" she cried almost rapturously. "Is it really you?" For a moment, Ellie thought her cousin was actually going to fling herself into his arms, but apparently Rosalind remembered where she was in time. "I—I mean, I am delighted to see you in Town," she finished lamely, stopping a few feet from the squire.
    Ellie glanced uneasily at Lord Dearborn, whom Rosalind had quite obviously forgotten, and saw that he was wearing a small, thoughtful frown.
    "Sir George Bellamy, may I introduce Lord Dearborn?" she said quickly, in an effort to retrieve the situation. At that moment, Mrs. Winston-Fitts returned from the floor, her husband in tow.
    "Sir George," she said coolly. "What a pleasure." She offered her hand to the newcomer, while Mr. Winston-Fitts echoed her sentiments with far greater warmth. "I trust you have met Lord Dearborn? Good. Perhaps you would be so kind as to fetch me a glass of orgeat, and then you can catch me up on all of the news from the country."
    Sir George, however, was not to be so easily dissuaded from his objective. "I would be delighted, ma'am, as soon as I secure a dance with Miss Winston-Fitts, if her card is not already full."
    Rosalind stepped forward eagerly, but her mother forestalled her.
    "I fear it likely is, Sir George," she said quickly. "Our Rosalind has quite taken London by storm. But we shall be delighted to see you at the dinner party I am giving on Thursday."
    Thus dismissed, Sir George had no recourse but to make his way to the refreshment