Read Courting Lord Dorney for Free Online Page A

wearing half-mourning for her husband’s cousin, and had on a gown in a pretty shade of lavender trimmed with dark grey braid.
    Much as Bella would have liked to wear one of the necklaces from India, she bowed to Jane’s advice that it would look crude.
    ‘Save the jewels for evening, and even then, if you don’t want to cause comment, you should wear very simple styles. Remember you’re not a wealthy young lady.’
    Jane having decided it was now time to abandon her mourning for a man she’d never met, they spent two absorbing hours selecting materials, bonnets and gloves, shoes and fans, and arranging for the dress lengths to be made up in the latest modes. Then they strolled towards the Upper Rooms where Jane signed the subscription book, and on towards the Pump Room.
    ‘I don’t think I’ll drink the water,’ Bella said thoughtfully. ‘Let’s just listen to the music rather than sample that.’
    They had almost reached the doors when Mary, who had been casting anxious glances behind her for some time, turned to try and shoo away a small, scruffy looking mongrel trailing after them.
    ‘I wonder if the poor animal’s lost?’ Jane said doubtfully. ‘I noticed him outside the Assembly Rooms.’
    ‘He looks as if he’s been lost for some time,’ Bella commented. ‘See how thin he is, poor little scrap.’
    ‘What should we do?’
    Bella’s reply was lost in a sudden flurry of excited yapping, as a mincing poodle escaped from the leash held negligently by a small, dandified man, and rushed in to attack the stray.
    Mary stepped hurriedly backwards out of the way for the mongrel, although only half the size of the poodle and in much worse condition, was not prepared to suffer the indignity of being chased off by a pampered, coiffured, scented monster, however much larger it was.
    ‘Beau! Come here at once, sir! Heel! Stop it, I say. Oh, do listen to me, you wretched animal!’
    The dandy was hovering several yards away from the fracas, helplessly wringing his hands, while a quizzing glass danced unheeded on the end of a black velvet ribbon, and a cane slid from his nerveless grasp onto the ground. He was ejaculating feeble commands in a progressively weakening voice.
    ‘Use your cane! For heaven’s sake hit him!’ Bella exclaimed.
    ‘Hit him? Hit Beau?’ the dandy almost screamed at her. ‘He’s never been hit in his life!’
    ‘He might have better manners now if he had!’ Bella retorted sharply, and before he could prevent her she picked up the cane and turned towards the dogs.
    They were growling ferociously as they circled and nipped each other in an attempt to find a grip.
    The stray was weakening, though still game, but as the poodle went for his unprotected neck Bella brought the cane down sharply.
    The poodle yelped, turned to face this new attack, and snarled as he gathered himself to spring at Bella.
    Mary screamed as the dog hurled himself forwards, but Bella calmly thwacked the poodle across his nose. With another yelp, this time of real pain rather than surprise, the poodle decided he’d had enough and took off at speed in the direction of the river.
    Jane laughed. ‘Oh, Bella! You attract trouble!’
    ‘How dare you!’ The dandy was spluttering from surprise and uncontrollable fury. ‘How dare you attack Beau? A highly strung, delicate animal like that! He’ll be lost! I paid a great deal for him! I’ll make you pay for your interference, madam!’
    ‘Don’t be such a tedious fool! He’ll find his way home when he’s hungry!’ Bella snapped, tossing the cane towards him and not looking up from where she crouched beside the mongrel.
    ‘Are you hurt, ma’am?’ a new voice intervened, and Bella glanced up to find another man bent over her.
    Her eyes seemed unable to move, and she did not reply. He was a little above average height. Broad shouldered and narrow hipped, he wore his discreetly elegant clothes easily. The thought went through her mind that he looked far more