Woodiwiss, Kathleen E - The Reluctant Suitor by Woodiwiss Kathleen E

Author:Woodiwiss, Kathleen E [Woodiwiss, Kathleen E]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2011-12-10T12:13:35+00:00

Twelve

* * *

Gracefully mimicking the flamboyance of an actress on a stage, Adriana swept a slender hand before her as she sank into a deep curtsey. To the continuing delight of their audience, Colton followed her lead with an ostentatious bow, dissolving onlookers into hearty laughter and vigorous clapping. The din proved too much for Adriana to bear. In spite of her grin, she cringed and covered her ears in an attempt to spare herself the pain of the thunderous applause.

Not every guest was that appreciative of the ovation the couple was receiving. When Roger returned to the ballroom and realized that Adriana had been claimed by Lord Randwulf, he had forged through the guests, shouldering people rudely aside as he sought to gain an unobstructed view of the couple. Once the music had ended, he had felt his vitals twist with acrimony as he became privy to whispered comments that eagerly espoused the belief that Lord Randwulf and Lady Adriana had been made for each other simply because the couple looked positively sublime together. Over his shoulder, he had cast angry glowers toward the elderly biddies responsible for offering those galling observations, evoking highly offended gasps and derogatory comments on the crudity of the miller’s son before the lot of them had stalked off in haughty irritation with him.

Similar praises were being heaped upon the couple by acquaintances and family members, who had gathered at the opposite end of the spacious ballroom, very near the place where Felicity and Stuart were also observing the gracious responses of the lady and the marquess. It was a comment Jaclyn made to her father that stripped away Felicity’s hopes of winning the handsome man.

“You know, Papa, as much as Colton balked when Lord Sedgwick first proposed his betrothal to Adriana, he certainly doesn’t appear to be opposed to it now. In fact, he can’t seem to take his eyes off my sister. But then, to find another equally as beautiful as she, he’d have to travel the world twice around.”

Gyles chortled. “She is a pretty thing, isn’t she? But then, I have two other daughters who are just as winsome.”

Jaclyn patted her sire’s arm affectionately. “As much as Melora may object to the idea, Papa, I’ve become convinced after my lengthy absence from home that in the area of looks, Adriana has far surpassed the two of us. With her dark hair, large eyes, and height, she’s far more elegant. If I may be permitted to boast about my own sister, I’d even be wont to say that she has become a rare beauty.”

Felicity mentally sneered at the Suttons’ eagerness to laud one of their own, casually disregarding the fact that her own father had frequently been guilty of that offense. Their compliments, however, didn’t bother her nearly as much as the news that there was already a betrothal in existence between Lord Colton and Lady Adriana. A dark, impenetrable gloom descended forthwith upon her expectations. As much as she had yearned

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