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

table to procure the requested orgeat, pausing first to direct a lingering glance at Rosalind with his kind brown eyes, a glance that was returned with equal warmth.  
    Lord Dearborn did not miss the exchange and wore a pensive expression as he excused himself to claim his next partner.  
     
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C HAPTER 5

    "M AMA , HOW could you say that?" demanded Rosalind with a spirit that startled both of her parents and Ellie, as well. "You know perfectly well that I am not engaged for every dance, and I think it was odious of you to send poor Sir George off like that with a flea in his ear, especially as he only just arrived in Town!"
    Mrs. Winston-Fitts gaped at her darling daughter's unwonted outburst, but quickly gathered her wits enough to say, "I did no such thing. I merely asked the man to fetch me a glass of orgeat. There was nothing in the least uncivil about it."
    "Perhaps we can make it up by allowing him a dance with Rosalind later on," suggested her husband, his dark eyes twinkling. Ellie glanced at Uncle Emmett, trying to divine his thoughts and, as usual, failing utterly. Could it be that he favoured Sir George's suit, or was he merely trying to set up Aunt Mabel's back she wondered. One seemed as likely as the other.
    Mrs. Winston-Fitts clearly did not care for her husband's suggestion, but gave in ungraciously. "Oh, very well, if that is what you wish. He is a neighbour, after all."
    "And a very old friend," agreed Mr. Winston-Fitts. "That is settled, then."
    "I'll put him down for the fourth, then, for I am already engaged for the next two," said Rosalind happily. As she finished speaking, her next partner, Viscount Montforth, came to claim her. At once, she was her usual, tongue-tied self.  
    Ellie watched her cousin depart for the dance floor, marvelling at the change she had just witnessed in her. She had known Sir George had a fondness for Rosalind —indeed, all the neighbourhood had known that— but she had never suspected that Rosalind returned his feelings. Perhaps Rosalind was merely homesick, and welcomed a familiar face from Warwickshire, but to Ellie it had appeared to be more than that.
    When Sir George returned with Mrs. Winston- Fitts's orgeat a few minutes later, he bowed formally to Ellie, requesting that she grant him the next dance. She agreed at once.
    "Thank you, Sir George, I should be delighted. If you would still care for a dance with my cousin, she has discovered that she has the next one after that free, after all." She was not about to allow her aunt to renege on her promise.
    The portly squire's face lit up, making him almost handsome. "How marvellous!" he said. But then, ever the gentleman, he turned his whole attention to his current partner. "Shall we, Miss O'Day?" He extended his arm.
    Ellie inclined her head in mock formality and accompanied him to the floor, where the next set was forming. The movements of the dance did not allow much opportunity for conversation, but Sir George did manage to ask her at one point whether Miss Winston-Fitts was yet betrothed. Ellie was able to reassure him on that point and was dismayed by the expression of relief that spread across Sir George's earnest countenance. She wished she could envisage as much hope for his suit as he apparently did.
    Lord Dearborn was standing near the Winston- Fittses when Ellie and Rosalind returned from the floor, engaging them in desultory conversation. Upon learning that Rosalind was engaged to Sir George for the next dance, he gallantly turned to Ellie with an elegant bow.
    "Will you do me the honour, Miss O'Day?" he asked.
    Ellie knew it was simple politeness that prompted him to ask, but her heart began to beat faster nonetheless. "Thank you, my lord," she replied, no more able to come up with a witty remark than her cousin. To further her agitation, the orchestra struck up the strains of a waltz.
    Without hesitation, Lord Dearborn swept her into the dance, and Ellie