Wimpole would suddenly be available to accompany her husband to dinner that night. So it came as quite a shock to hear a knock on the housekeeper’s door as a footman politely reminded her that the house awaited her arrival in the drawing room. She thanked him and then hastily ran to her room to wash her face and tidy her hair. That she had already eaten with the servants never crossed her mind.She knew Lady Dinsmore must have considered it, but in the end, the lady would have reasoned Lord Dalton might take offense at her absence. A harried Kathryn entered the drawing room, and all eyes turned to her. She could only assume they had been speaking of her, so she curtsied and said at once, “I beg your pardon. I did not hear the dinner bell. Please forgive me for keeping you waiting.”Kathryn took a quick glance at Lord Dalton. She knew no one would notice her looking from behind her glasses. But she saw all she needed to know in his eyes. He was angry, and he started toward her. Fortunately, he was halted by Charity’s voice.“Pay it no mind, Kate,”
