remark that sent her into retreat. ‘It can be pretty bleak in the fens for much of the year, so company is always welcome,’ he offered, trying to retrieve the situation.
But she had taken alarm and detached herself from his arm. She adjusted the ribbons of her bonnet and thanked him prettily but firmly for his escort. In a moment she had disappeared out of the door and he was left to fume at his clumsiness. For a man of his address, he was managing extremely poorly, he thought. What was it about her that made him as maladroit as some untried adolescent? It could only be the enchantment of youth. For years he had strictly confined his most intimate attentions to experienced women; he had forgotten how utterly disarming innocent beauty could be.
The minute Domino stepped through the front door she saw the letter lying menacingly on the hall table and knew immediately from whom it came. The envelope was of thick cream vellum and bore a ducal crest. Charlotte Severn’s invitation had arrived. The duchess’s words uttered in the heat of the moment had been made good, but Domino had no wish to open the letter. She had taken the woman in dislike; why exactly she was unsure, but her father’s condemnation had served only to underline the distaste she felt.
It was clear that the duchess was a close friend of Joshua Marchmain and he was certain to attend her social events. For that reason alone she would be reluctant to go. She had spent an engaging hour with him this afternoon, but he was a man she needed to avoid. He was dangerous to her peace of mind; the laughing eyes flecked with gold, the languorous gaze, had made her whole body burn in shameful response and promised the kind of pleasure she dared not think of. He was most definitely not a gentleman. He might dress as one and mix with ease in ton society, but he was rash and reckless and constantly put her out of countenance. How very unlike Richard, who was just as handsome but mindful of the proprieties and careful never to overstep the line. Joshua would not even recognise the existence of a line. He was undoubtedly a rake—a charming one, but someone with whom she should have no further commerce.
Her assumption that her father would prevent her attending the entertainment at Steine House proved false. When he walked into the dining room that evening, he was waving the duchess’s card in his hand.
‘The Duchess of Severn.’ Then, seeing his daughter’s long face, he said firmly, ‘I think we must attend, Domino.’
‘Could you not go alone, Papa?’
‘I would prefer to, certainly. I am not at all keen that you further your acquaintance with the lady. But I fear we would give grave offence if you were to refuse.’
‘But I am of no importance,’ she persuaded eagerly. ‘It is your position as ambassador that has prompted her to write.’
‘I think not. The invitation was issued directly to you at the Chapel Royal. And my position, as you put it, means that I dare not offend anyone as influential as the Severns. The duke belongs to the Regent’s inner circle.’
Domino made no reply, but sat erect, hands in her lap, and looked blankly ahead.
‘Will it be such a trial, querida? We will stay no more than a couple of hours, I promise. And you will have me by your side the whole time.’
‘I’m sorry, Papa, I’m being a goose.’ Domino leaned across the table and gave him a loving hug. ‘I had hoped the duchess had forgotten me.’
‘Unfortunately not. I only hope her remembrance does not signify that she wishes “to take you up”, as they say here. Your standing would not be enhanced by her favour.’ Alfredo sighed deeply. ‘Negotiating our way successfully through the English Court was never going to be easy, but I may have underestimated the difficulties.’
A thought struck him and he brightened. ‘Carmela can attend with us, then your being singled out for an invitation will not look so particular.’
Carmela, who had retired from the table and was sitting on the cushioned window seat reading an improving work, put her book down with a sharp slap. Her face glowered.
‘I mean no disrespect to you, cousin, but nothing on earth would induce me to attend that woman’s party.’
‘Carmela, how is this? She may not be precisely to our taste, but she is a great noblewoman,’ Alfredo chided her.
‘Is that what you call it? We have a different word for it in Spain.’
He looked warningly at her and then back to Domino.
‘What is that, Carmela?’ Domino asked innocently.
Her cousin compressed her lips. ‘Suffice to say that she is a married woman, but does not behave as one. She would not be welcome at any house belonging to our family.’
Domino looked shocked. ‘You mean she has lovers?’
Carmela appeared to struggle with herself for a moment, but then decided where her duty lay.
‘I do not generally indulge in idle gossip, as I hope you know,’ she said repressively, ‘but I think it right that you should be on your guard. In the few weeks we have been in Brighton I have heard disquieting things about the Duchess of Severn. I believe that her current lover has followed her here and is even now residing at the Pavilion.’
Domino glanced at her father, urgently seeking his reassurance, but no denial was forthcoming. His face was set and he refused to meet her eyes. Suddenly she understood. Joshua Marchmain was that lover. That was why he had been so irritated at the Chapel Royal. He had not wanted her to make the duchess’s acquaintance, had not wanted her to know the truth of their supposed friendship. She felt herself flushing hotly, embarrassed at having been so naïve. Flushing, too, with a kind of pain. But why on earth did she feel that? Had she been stupid enough to think there was any kind of connection between them?
It was true that he had singled her out at her father’s reception and engaged her in lengthy conversation. He had even talked sensibly and interestingly about art. But that was misleading. She should remember her first encounter with him as she walked by the sea; his conduct had been predatory, light-hearted and amusing, it was true, but nevertheless predatory. Even outside the church on Sunday he had not been able to resist throwing out lures to her. He was a womaniser for whom every female was fair game, even as his mistress was living a mere stone’s throw away. The thought of visiting Steine House was loathsome.
A few days later, an unwelcome message arrived at Marine Parade. Señor de Silva was required to return to London immediately. News had arrived from Spain too confidential to be entrusted to a messenger and it was necessary for the ambassador to post up to Manchester House. He would spend only one night away, but it looked unlikely that he would return to Brighton in time for Charlotte Severn’s soirée.
Alfredo was faced with a quandary. He had no wish to expose his daughter to the malign influence of Steine House without his protection but, at the same time, he knew that it was essential he was represented at what would be a prestigious affair. He would let Domino herself decide.
‘I hardly like to ask this of you, my dear,’ he began tentatively, ‘but would you be willing to go to the duchess’s concert by yourself for a short while? I could no doubt arrange for an older lady to take you under her wing until I return. Once I am back in Brighton, I will make haste to join you at Steine House. Or perhaps Carmela could swallow her misgivings? If she would agree to attend, it would make things a great deal more comfortable.’
The women’s despondent expressions hardly promised comfort. Attending the event without the support of Señor
