MOORE, MARGARET by CHINA BLOSSOM

Author:CHINA BLOSSOM [BLOSSOM, CHINA]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2012-02-01T12:24:45+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Mrs. Ditchett spoke quickly, panic in her voice. “We assumed you would lead the first dance, Mr. Fitzroy. It’s only proper.”

Mr. Fitzroy glared at Mrs. Ditchett, then at Blossom. “I don’t dance,” he repeated brusquely.

Out of the comer of her eye Blossom saw Lady Whitmore smile with what looked like triumph. One of the other female guests, with the impossible name of Shrew-some-thing who was clutching the arm of the plump lord named Northrup, giggled shrilly. It seemed as if everyone else was frozen motionless, staring at her. There was only one exception, and that was the girl with Younger Brotherd Her expression was friendly, but in her eyes Blossom saw Inty.

Instantly Blossom forgot her fear and embarrassment. She straightened her bare shoulders and held her head high as Mr. Horton-Smythe appeared beside Mr. Fitzroy. “Will you allow me the honor, Darcy?” he said, smiling.

Blossom thought he looked more like a snake than ever and would dearly have loved to refuse him, but she stepped forward. “I would be delighted,” she said, not worrying about how the words sounded.

Mrs. Ditchctt eyed Mr. Fitzroy with still-shocked disapproval. “Well, someone had better take the first dance.”

Blossom allowed Mr. Horton-Smythe to escort her to the center of the room while other couples formed behind them.

The music began and she started to dance, finding it surprisingly easy now that she knew she could not he interrupted and berated for clumsiness. Only the urge to see Mr. Fitzroy disturbed her pleasant surprise, but he never seemed to be looking at her at all.

“Enjoying yourself, m’dear?”

She glanced at Mr. Horton-Smythe and tried ‘not to show her distaste as he leaned closer.

He smiled knowingly. “Making some conquests already, I think.”

She turned away, but she could still feel his hot breath on her bare shoulder.

“Darcy will be pleased. He should make a pretty penny with your marriage settlement.”

They circled and turned, and Blossom said nothing. The evil man spoke again. “You don’t understand, do you? Let me explain, my dear. When you marry, the man will make a marriage settlement upon you. That’s when Darcy plans to get back the money Wu owes him.”

Another turn as the music grew louder and the room grew hotter. “Mr. Fitzroy honors me by arranginga marriage.”

Mr. Horton-Smythe’s pale hazel eyes gleamed. “Is that what he told you? Hate to enlighten you, my dear, but I assure you the only person Darcy’s thinking about is himself. He’s selling you, my dear. Right now you’re on display and then, when he gets the best offer, he’ll sell you.”

She opened her mouth to call him a liar, but the words stuck in her throat. It might be so, and it would explain why Mr. Fitzroy was spending so much money. And yet she understood this man. Had, indeed, from the first time she had seen him. He was the kind of man who would do anything, say anything, to further his own ambitions. She need not trust a word he said.

As the dance finished, Mr.

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