Page 45 of Almost a Countess

A sickening roiling in her stomachmade Dora hope when she cast up her accounts all over her aunt itwould create enough of a diversion for her to think of ananswer.

But Finn stepped forward and whisperedsomething in Aunt Mimi’s ear.

Her aunt’s face cleared instantly.“Ah, I see. Very well.”

Amazed and intrigued, Dora turned tothe butler. “Hanson, please show the duchess to her room and askMrs. Carlyle to make sure she has everything sherequires.”

“Of course, miss.Duchess.” He led Aunt Mimi out and shut the door.

There was a moment of silence as sheturned back to face the others.

“Have you two lost yourminds?” Tris’s voice boomed so loudly she prayed Aunt Mimi couldn’thear it down the corridor.

Dora rushed to Finn’s side, afraidTris might actually try to throttle him. “Can you please lower yourvoice and act in a civil manner?” she hissed at him.

“How did you ever concoctsuch an unbelievable, ridiculous, brainless story?” Tris strode tothe sideboard and splashed a good third of the decanter of cognacinto a tumbler.

“’Twas spur o’ the moment,Trevor.” Finn looked at Dora, a warm, approving light in his eyes.“Ye were magnificent, mo chridhe. Genius, infact.”

“But what has it gottenyou?” Tris’s voice rose again as he strode back toward them.“You’ve lied to the duchess, and presumably she will take that lieto Dora’s father. Then he’ll come up here himself to throw you outor worse. And when he finds out about your little deceit, Dora willbe the one to bear the brunt of his rightful anger, as Aberfoylewill be long gone by that time.”

“What it gains us, Trevor,is time.” Finn raised his chin and stared into Tris’s haughty face.“Until he learns the truth, he canna press for this marriage taeSir Harry. I will have time tae go tae London, take care o’ thisscurrilous business with Scarlet then journey on tae Wiltshire andask for Dora’s hand properly.”

“You’re going to do what?”Trevor’s eyes bulged.

“I want tae court Dora.”He grinned at her. “I took yer words today about yer father’sreaction as a challenge.”

She stared at Finn, heart pounding inhis chest so hard she believed the others could hear it. Happinesswashing over her, she grasped Violet’s hands, squeezing her fingerswith sheer joy.

Coolly, Finn turned his attention backto Trevor. “Why would ye find that sae astonishing? Just yesterdayye said ye’d make sure I married her if her reputation was atstake.” Finn shrugged. “I’m saving ye the trouble o’ forcing me taeit.”

“You said you’dforce him to marry me, Tris?” Dora swung around from Violet,scowling so hard her face hurt. “How dare you insinuate that youhave any say in my life whatsoever?”

“If your reputation weredisparaged because of Aberfoyle’s actions, you bloody well wouldmarry him.” Trevor looked fit to be tied by the doubleattack.

“So ye approve o’ ourmarrying, then?” Finn grinned as he heaped flaming coals on Tris’shead.

“No!” Throwing up hishands, Trevor stalked back to the sideboard and poured a generousdrink.

Finn gave her a quick smile andfollowed the weary man across the room. “Ye canna have it bothways, man. Either ye think we should marry or ye dinna.”

“It’s not that bloodyblack and white, and you know it,” Trevor growled but poured Finn aglass of her best port.

“I ken I love the lady. IfI’m able tae take care o’ her, isn’t that enough forye?”

Stunned, Dora could think of nothingelse. He loved her. He’d actually said the words. Dora graspedViolet’s hand, her heart swelling with happiness.

“How can you tell you loveher? You’ve only known her two days.”

“Romeo and Juliet fell inlove at first sight.” Grinning at Trevor, whose face darkened witheach passing minute, Finn poured himself another drink.

“And look how well thatturned out.”

“I dinna care if yeapprove or no’, Trevor.” By his tone, Finn seemed to have hadenough of his lordship. “I’ll be asking Miss Harper’s father forhis blessing, not ye.”

“And you expect to receiveit from Lord Downing?” Tris scoffed at him. “You are either mad ora fool. If you attempt to deceive Downing or thwart his wishes inany way, you’ll have a better chance of marrying the newly widowedEmpress Catherine of Russia than Dora.”

“Surely not, Tris.” Violetspoke up from the sofa. “Lord Aberfoyle is an earl, and a veryeligible parti. Wouldn’t Lord Downing wish her to marry asadvantageously as possible?”