Pierce made a slight noise, and when Lucas looked at him he seemed to be holding back a grin. From the knowing look his friend shot at him, Pierce had seen the pretty raven-haired woman as well.
Lucas rolled his eyes and nudged his friend. They would talk about that later.
#
“How do I look?” Dorothy asked as she checked herself in the mirror. “Do I look presentable enough?”
Frederica laughed.
“That’s the fourth time you’ve said it since I’ve entered the room, Dorothy? You look absolutely fine. Doesn’t she, Teresa?”
She turned to the maid assigned to her friend. Teresa simply smiled and nodded. Dorothy frowned and leaned a little towards the mirror.
“I’m not too sure,” she murmured. “Things don’t seem right …”
“You’re just looking for an excuse not to go downstairs.” Frederica tugged her friend’s arm. “Stop stalling and come on. Everyone will be downstairs by now, and dinner will start soon.”
Dorothy knew that. She just wanted to make a good first impression. Most of the guests she wouldn’t have met before, so she would be entering a room of strangers. Dorothy could cope with interacting with others, but the first few minutes of going into a new environment left her with a big flutter of nerves. It made her want to bolt.
“Oh, Dorothy …” Frederica turned her around. “Take a few deep breaths and focus. You’re going to be fine. Once we’re in there, and you’re going with the flow, you’ll be absolutely fine. And I’ll be there as well. Plus, if you need a moment in private to breathe, just let Aunt Annabelle know.”
Dorothy listened to her friend’s calming words, which had a surprising effect. Frederica was the one who would jump out of a carriage without a second thought, but she was also helpful in calming Dorothy’s fears. She was a good influence, and Dorothy knew she wouldn’t be able to cope as well if her closest friend wasn’t here.
She was going to struggle if they were finally separated.
“Better now?” Frederica smiled. “Come on. Let’s go downstairs. I’m starving.”
“Alright.” Dorothy took a deep breath. “Let’s do this.”
They left the bedchamber and were almost at the top of the stairs when they saw a familiar figure coming the other way. A tall, fair-haired young man close to their age, looking splendid in dark green. Dorothy found herself smiling when she recognised him. It had been a while since she had seen him.
“Gabriel?”
Gabriel Burville stopped, staring at them for a moment. Then he seemed to realise who he was looking at and gave Dorothy a warm smile.
“Dorothy!” He approached them, clasping Dorothy’s fingers and kissing her knuckles as he bowed. His eyes twinkled as he looked up at her. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here. I didn’t think you knew the marquess and marchioness.”
“I knew Lady Derbyshire before her marriage.” Dorothy gestured at Frederica. “She is Frederica’s aunt, after all.”
“Oh, of course.” Gabriel kissed Frederica’s outstretched hand. “Forgive me for forgetting about that.”
“You’ll always be forgiven, Gabriel.” Frederica laughed. “So, you’re here because of my Uncle Mark?”
“Hmm? Oh, Lord Derbyshire. His townhouse in London is on the same street as my family’s house. He came over to dinner quite a few times.” Gabriel shrugged. “I must say, my parents were surprised about his marriage. And my aunt Cassandra. I believe she had some … well, she felt something towards him. She wasn’t too happy.”
Dorothy could believe that. Gabriel’s matronly aunt was one of those people who seemed to live in her own world. When she set her sights on something, she wanted it, and it just made everyone around her uncomfortable. She had certainly felt something a bit off about the woman when she was younger.
“I’m glad to see you here, Dorothy,” Gabriel said, offering his arm. “May I escort you to dinner? I’d like to catch up on you and see how things are going.”
Dorothy smiled and took his arm.
“I would like that as well. It’s been a while.”
Frederica pouted.
“Aren’t you going to escort me, or will I have to trail along behind you two?”
Gabriel chuckled and offered his other arm.