How to Entice an Enchantress by Karen Hawkins

Author:Karen Hawkins [Hawkins, Karen]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Romance
ISBN: 9781451685220
Goodreads: 17571127
Publisher: Pocket
Published: 2013-09-17T04:00:00+00:00

Eleven

From the Diary of the Duchess of Roxburghe

Just now, whilst on my way to change into something suitable for viewing the battledore tournament that my guests have suddenly developed a madness for, I realized that Charlotte was right and everyone is too distracted to decorate their assigned portions of the house. I shall have to be vigilant in making certain the castle is in full holiday bloom when the time comes for the ball. In the meantime, I must hurry to the battledore courts, for—as Charlotte and some of the other guests have taken to calling it—the Battledore of Honor begins shortly . . .

* * *

Half an hour later, Dahlia was still caught in the salon, trying desperately to make her escape. The worst of her captors were Mrs. Montrose; her chattering daughter, Miss Slyphania; and the indomitable Mrs. Selfridge. They’d all quizzed her relentlessly about her battledore experiences, the number of games she’d played with her sisters, and her “strategies,” which they apparently assumed to be many and complex.

The rumor mill had caught the tone of her conversation with Lady Mary and Miss Stewart, and Lord Kirk’s name was mentioned more than once, although Dahlia managed to avoid any direct comment. But the realization worried her. Was Lady Charlotte right in predicting that Kirk would be furious with Dahlia for interfering in something he might see as his own personal business?

Whatever he thought, she couldn’t back down—not now, not with so many people involved. She was at a loss to know why everyone seemed so enthused about the tournament, for she was certain no one cared about Lord Kirk’s honor the way she did. But they all seemed deeply engaged with the potential outcome, one way or another.

Dahlia felt relief when Miss MacLeod stuck her head in the door and brightened on seeing her seated amidst the group. “Miss Balfour! Just the person I wished to see.”

Dahlia almost leapt to her feet. “Ah, Miss MacLeod! I was just leaving. I—I’m to meet Viscount Dalhousie for a tour of the portrait gallery.”

Miss MacLeod crossed the room in a rustle of pale green jaconet muslin, gathered with a lemon-colored ribbon and matching slippers. “Don’t worry about Dalhousie. I saw him wandering about the gallery like a lost soul and explained that you must have been held up.”

“He’s not angry, is he?”

“Lud, no. Miss Stewart was with me and she kindly offered to take your place. Dalhousie was explaining the portrait history to her as I left.”

All eyes turned to Dahlia as a silence fell over the group. Goodness, they wish to see me react to that, and ask even more questions. Well, they’re to be disappointed.

“How pleasant for them both. I was sadly worried that he’d be bored, left alone. I’m glad Miss Stewart was available.”

“Just what I thought.” Miss MacLeod slipped an arm through Dahlia’s. “Now come, I must speak to you about the match. Dalhousie and I have much of it planned, but there are still a few details that must be addressed.

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