Page 37 of An Alleged Rogue

“Think nothing of it,” Adam said. “I had no desire to interrupt your preparations for the ball, and Mr. Hadford and I have spent a very enjoyable time together.”

The tension in her shoulders lessened somewhat. “I am glad to hear it. I hope Miss Norton’s time has been equally beneficial.”

As if waiting for that very cue, Miss Hadford and Emily appeared on the landing above. Adam could only stare. If he had ever doubted that his little sister was no longer a child, the sight of her now put an end to it. Her dark hair was piled onto her head in a mass of ringlets. Tiny ribbons, the same color as her elegant turquoise gown, were tucked amongst her curls, adding charm to her already delightful appearance.

His gaze moved to Miss Hadford, and his heart stuttered. Heaven help him. What was it about this woman that left him near undone each time he saw her? A profusion of tiny rose buds covered her cream-colored gown. Wide lace peeked out from her sleeves and along her neckline. Her hair cascaded over her shoulders in thick, soft curls, and she was watching Emily’s progress down the stairs with open delight.

At his side, Mr. Hadford chuckled. “I believe you have rendered your brother speechless, Miss Norton.”

Thanking his lucky stars that Mr. Hadford was no mind reader, Adam stepped forward and extended his arm to his sister. “You are a vision, Emily,” he said.

She smiled shyly. “Thank you, Adam.”

Miss Hadford joined them in the hall, and Mrs. Hadford quickly took charge. “If everyone is ready, I believe we should be off.” She looked to Adam. “Will you and your sister be traveling separately, my lord?”

“That was my intent.” Adam was not willing to relinquish his ability to leave the function early regardless of the economy of riding together.

“I believe both carriages are already outside, my dear,” Mr. Hadford said, effectively ending the discussion before it went any further. “Whenever you are ready, Dunsbourne.”

On silent feet, the butler moved across the hall to open the front door.

Adam inclined his head toward his hosts. “Many thanks, Mr. Hadford, Mrs. Hadford, Miss Hadford. We shall see you at Banbury Hall.”

Chapter 12

Phoebe stepped through the open doorway and gazed around the vast room. There could be no doubt—Mrs. Webb had outdone herself. The ballroom shimmered with light from the many candelabras positioned around the room. Boughs of greenery and fresh flowers hung from the walls, and in the far corner, musicians played, warming up their fingers and instruments in readiness for the dancing that was to come.

Their music floated over and around the many ladies and gentlemen in the room, blending with the excited chatter. Ahead of her, her parents paused to greet Lord Trimble. Phoebe continued farther into the room, passing the clusters of gossiping matrons and the ever-popular refreshment table, all the while scanning the crowd for Emily.

She was halfway across the room when she heard her name being called. Looking to her right, she spotted Marianne and Georgiana beckoning to her. She crossed the short distance between them.

“You look lovely, Phoebe.” Marianne greeted her with a smile.

“That goes without saying,” Georgiana said. “She always does.”

Phoebe chose to ignore the irritation in Georgiana’s voice. “That is very kind. Although, I have rarely seen such beautiful gowns as the ones each of you is wearing.” Marianne’s crimson silk gown was stunning; Georgiana’s pale-green gown was extravagantly decorated with bows and lace.

Georgiana sniffed. “You may change your mind when you see Miss Norton this evening.”

“She and Lord Dunsbourne are here,” Marianne said, her voice low. She looked left and right as though needing reassurance that neither was within earshot. “And you would not believe the change in Miss Norton.”

Pressing her lips together to prevent a smile from escaping, Phoebe raised her eyebrows. “Is that so?”

Marianne nodded, her eyes wide. “If she were not so firmly affixed to her brother’s side, I would not have known her.”

“It makes no difference what she wears or how she does her hair,” Georgiana said. “She is tainted by association. No one of consequence will spare her a second glance.”

Marianne nodded again. This time more firmly.

Like an unstoppable incoming tide, Phoebe’s indignation rose. “That is preposterous. Even if Lord Dunsbourne is the cad you believe him to be, Miss Norton has done nothing wrong.”

At the Palmers’ dinner, Marianne and Georgiana had been bemoaning Emily’s fate as a victim of her brother’s cruelty. Now, with nothing more than a change in hairstyle and dress, she had become a target.

“Believe what you will,” Georgiana said with a dismissive shrug. “It will not change the way others view her.”

“Georgiana is right, Phoebe,” Marianne said. “And if you remember, Derrick told you the very same when we visited you at Charwell Park. You have not lived here long enough to grasp the situation well enough.”

Phoebe took a step back. “I understand it sufficiently to know that ostracizing Miss Norton is not right.”