Rhonda Woodward by White Rosesand Starlight Read Free Book Online Page A

matter.
    At that moment, Lord Cortland’s gaze swung around to her and after a flash of alarm, she refused to look away and held his golden-hazel scrutiny. In fact, anger flared when she recalled the way he had spoken to her. It had been most ungentlemanly, to say the least.
    With his expression an infuriating mix of hauteur and boredom, he inclined his head toward her in the scantest nod.
    Indignation rose within Marina to choke out every other emotion. How dare he? How dare he come to her village and treat them—treat her—as if they were bugs beneath his lofty notice.
    She was the Honorable Miss Marina Buckleigh. Her father was Baron Buckleigh and the Buckleighs had been lords in this area of Herefordshire for eight generations.
    Well,
she
knew her manners, even if a marquis did not.
    Lifting her chin a bit, she smiled as graciously as she could muster, intent on conveying that she was above his boorishness. Then she returned his nod before turning to attend Mrs. Denney, who, as best as she could tell, was regaling everyone with a story about a cat.
    She determined to look no more in Lord Cortland’s direction. And despite her still unpredictable heart rate, she also refused to allow herself to look for Mr. Sefton.
    Goodness, she could not trust herself not to blush bright red if she did happen to meet
his
gaze.
    “Are you well, Marina? You’ve hardly said a word since we sat down.”
    “Perfectly well, Mama. I’m just enjoying the lively conversation.”
    Deirdre leaned over and whispered. “The Marquis of Cortland is quite the most dashing man I have ever seen, so dark and full of mystery. I would swoon if he asked me to dance.”
    Marina gave a dismissive shrug. “Looks to be rather dull to me. And bent on casting a critical eye upon all of us.”
    “Well, I dare say that he’s probably used to more sophisticated company, but I don’t think that detracts from his appeal,” Deirdre replied tartly.
    Marina refrained from rolling her eyes.
    Pushing the stewed pears around the dish, Marina grew anxious to return to the ballroom, where she hoped to see Mr. Sefton.
    However, until the doors opened again, she would force herself to smile and pretend to listen to her neighbors.
    ***
    Marina stood in the ballroom, next to Mama, her thoughts still in quite unaccustomed disorder.
    In the last hour she had gone through such a whirlwind of emotion, she hardly knew what to think.
    Her earlier sense of wonder had left and now, it horrifyingly occurred to her that, against her upbringing and against her nature, she had acted in a shocking fashion—so lacking in her usual common sense. She had no doubt given two gentlemen, completely unknown to her, a false impression of her character.
    Even so, she could not prevent herself from scanning the room for the golden-haired man whose beauty had set her heart to flip-flopping in a most diverting way. He was nowhere to be seen and disappointment rose up to diminish her pleasure in the ball.
    Prelude music trilled and couples began to form lines for the next set. At least Deirdre found herself partnered with the obliging Mr. Fairdale, whom Marina had danced with earlier.
    Out of the corner of her eye, she froze in shock to see Mr. Penhurst approaching with the Marquis of Cortland at his side. Marina’s heart sped tempo as she schooled her expression to one she hoped conveyed cool politeness.
    She kept her gaze on the dancers still finding their places, but sensed Mama check her posture and noticed the way her neighbors watched the Marquis in a way they did not watch other men in the room—not even their host.
    “Lady Buckleigh, Miss Buckleigh. I have been remiss! It has been made known to me by my friend here, that he has not had the pleasure of an introduction. Lord Cortland, it is indeed my pleasure to present Lady Buckleigh and her daughter, Miss Marina Buckleigh.”
    Marina dipped into a deeply elegant curtsy, as befitted his title, if not his character, and Mama did the