“They are accustomed to their state of dress,” he answered.
Mildred realized she felt quite warm despite the dampness of her gown. She also felt light in the head and a little unsteady.
“Would you care for a seat, Miss Abbey?” Devon inquired.
How attentive of him, she thought to herself, pleased that he had not yet left her side. She greatly hoped that he would choose her.
“How are the couples selected?” she asked after sitting down on a settee.
Devon sat beside her. “Well, those that did not arrive with someone may choose from the unattached. At present, we are to circulate and acquaint ourselves with each other and, hopefully, find someone with whom we should like to pair.”
“Ah, well, you are kind to keep me company, but do not let me stay you from befriending the others here.”
“In truth, I have no interest in seeking other company.”
She found herself bereft of words and lost in the shimmer of his beautiful blue eyes. She could hardly believe her fortune! But perhaps he did not mean to imply he preferred her company? Yet, what else could he have intended with those words? Did she dare press for a supporting statement? How she wished she had not partaken of so much wine that she could think more clearly!
“Miss Abbey, may I have a word?”
She looked up to see Alastair standing before them with his hand outstretched, and she was not so inebriated that she could not know from the firm set of his jaw that she was better off not taking his hand.
Sensing her hesitation, Devon rose. “Good sir, I do not think I have the pleasure of your acquaintance? I am the Viscount Devon, my father the Earl of—”
“And I am Alastair,” her cousin replied, staring coolly at Devon.
Devon bowed. “A pleasure. Is this your first visit to Follett?”
“No, and if you will pardon my intrusion, I mean to have a word with Miss Abbey.”
Mildred wanted to refuse, but the tone in his voice suggested that it was perhaps unwise to do so. She turned to the frowning viscount and could see that he wished to object, but his sex was not immune to the command that Alastair exuded.
“I shan’t be long,” she assured Devon before rising and accepting her cousin’s arm.
She allowed herself to be led to the other end of the room and braced herself for battle.
“Have you lost all discretion?” he asked when they had put some distance between them and the other guests.
She would have pulled her arm from him, but he kept it.
“If you mean to scold me,” she replied, “I would spare your breath and time for a more worthy pursuit.”
He pressed his lips into a line. “Lord Devon is not to be trusted.”
“Yes, you had warned me of his charms.”
“A sinister disturbance lurks behind his pretty manners.”
“You are well acquainted with him then?”
“It is not necessary for me to be well acquainted with him.”
“Then you have no specifics, and no evidence to criticize a man you barely know.”
“I require none. I am inclined to dislike him.”
They both looked back toward Devon, who was now in conversation with the beautiful redhead.
“You are inclined to dislike everyone,” Mildred responded with some exasperation, for she wanted to return to Lord Devon and did not like how tightly her arm was trapped against Alastair.