Read Wickeds Scandal (The Wickeds) for Free Online

behavior. 
Donata nearly clapped in delight.  Finally!  Someone interesting to
talk to!
    Cocking an
eyebrow, Donata said in her most severe tone, “Running from an amorous suitor
are you?”
    The girl
sucked in her breath and flushed a deeper shade of red, which seemed to seep
down the ivory skin of her most generous bosom.   Quite well endowed
for such a small woman.  The girl’s hair was rather forcefully restrained,
but was a lovely chestnut and exceptionally curly.   Altogether
ordinary looking, attractive but certainly no competition for the beauties that
crowded Lady Dobson’s ballroom, Donata none the less sensed something sparkling about the girl in front of her.
    “No, my
lady.”  The girl had the sense to curtsy.  “I beg your pardon. 
I didn’t see you sitting there.  Forgive my intrusion.”  Ready to run
from Donata at the slightest censure, she bit her lip and looked up at the
ceiling, unsure as how to proceed.  She reminded the Dowager of a vexed
kitten.
    “Here now
miss, sit next to me and catch your breath.  I am sure your mother will
find you directly. I shan’t tell you know.” The Dowager smiled at her. 
Who was this child?  Positive she knew every dull virgin of age to marry
in London, Donata pondered who this child was.  Perhaps that’s why I
don’t know of her, for this girl does not strike me as dull.  
    The girl sat
carefully next to Donata.  “I’m here with my uncle, Lord Burke.”
    Donata hid
her distaste as the girl mentioned Lord Oliver Burke.  She did not know
the man personally, but she knew his reputation.  The man was a dull
witted glutton, known for gambling away his late wife’s substantial
fortune.  He was related, distantly, to Lady Dobson.  She did not
know Lord Burke had a niece. 
    “I
see.  How are you acquainted with Lady Dobson?”
    Donata
nearly laughed out loud at the expression on the girl’s face at the mention of
Agnes Dobson. The girl’s mouth curled as if she sucked on a lemon. 
    “Lady Dobson
is kind enough to sponsor me for my Season.  My uncle wishes that I find a
suitable husband.”  She didn’t sound grateful, as most girls would be, at
having a sponsor who was well known in the ton . 
    “I was not
aware Lord Burke even possessed a niece.”  
    “I wish he
did not possess one as well.”  The girl clapped her hand over her mouth
and looked at Donata in horror. “My lady, I apologize.  I –“
    Donata
patted her hand.  “It’s all right my child.”  Donata peered at
her.  “You do not sound happy about the prospect of a husband.  Or is
it just the sponsorship of Lady Dobson that you object to?”
    The girl
took a deep breath, which sighed out of her. Clearly, the child was distressed.
     “What
is your name, my dear?”
    “Alexandra
Dunforth, my lady.” 
    “Well
Alexandra Dunforth, if I may ask, what has caused you to run into Lady Dobson’s
ballroom with your hair coming down?”
    Miss
Dunforth reached up anxiously, tucking in several stray curls.  “Nothing
you would be interested in madam, except that my hair does not appreciate the
confinement of pins.”  She looked up and her nose wrinkled.  “Oh
dear, there’s my uncle and Lady Dobson.”   It sounded as if she were
accusing the duo of murder.
     An
obese man plodded his way across the polished parquet floor towards Miss Dunforth,
with Lady Dobson following in his wake.  Donata regarded her hostess with
a bland, superior expression.  Donata did not care for Agnes Dobson,
finding the woman to be a social climbing harpy who ruined the reputations of
those she deemed unworthy for sport.  Lady Dobson was afraid of
Donata.  Donata thought that the only bit of wisdom the woman ever
displayed.
    Donata
turned her attention to Lord Burke and disliked him on sight.  The cravat
he wore was tied in a bumbling knot, his mustache much too waxed and his
waistcoat!  Donata could see a food stain, something dark, spotting the
left side.
    Lord