“Slipped? You held the punch bowl over my head and turned it upside down!”

“I was merely trying to assist you to a cup of punch. A full punch bowl is not an easy thing to handle, you know. I imagine anyone’s hands would have slipped in a similar situation.”

“I don’t care what you say, you can’t stop me from telling everyone that—Carlisle!” the bedraggled, punch-soaked figure in blue screeched, pushing away the man who had been attempting to comfort her. Three blue ostrich feathers hung down to her shoulders as hair, formerly coiffed into sable ringlets, dripped red punch down the front of her gown, her bosom bedecked with orange and lemon slices. If Phylomena hadn’t one of the sharpest tongues and most vindictive natures he’d known, he would have been tempted to find the situation humorous. As it was… “Save me from that…that…madwoman, that hellion you wed!”

Dare put up a hand as she rushed toward him, his face tight. “I’ll thank you to remember you are speaking of my wife and moderate your tone. We can discuss the situation after you have attended to yourself.”

“Yes, truly, you are a mess.” Charlotte nodded virtuously, showing her dimples for her husband. “Thank you for your support, Alasdair. You know how against my naturally shy and reserved nature it is to be any part of a scene. I am available for the next waltz if you wished to partner me, but do watch your step. Lady Brindley’s unfortunate episode has made the floor quite slippery.”

“Unfortunate?” Phylomena spat, glaring at Charlotte with a venom that was quick to fire Dare’s anger. He stepped protectively in front of Charlotte, blocking her from his ex-lover’s glare, his scowl fearsome to behold. Lady Brindley, however, was not daunted. She took a step closer to him. “Unfortunate? The only thing unfortunate about the episode is that your husband didn’t have the good sense to wed me when he could!”

“Or there is to be a country dance following, I believe. I should be happy to accompany you in that, if you prefer. I quite enjoy the lively nature of country dances.” Charlotte tipped her head and gave him the full benefit of her blue-eyed attention.

Dare felt an absurd sense of admiration for a woman who thought nothing of pouring a bowl of punch over a rival. Still, a saner voice pointed out that it would probably be best to smooth over Phylomena’s upset. He looked around for a familiar face. “Lady Beverly, if you would be so kind as to escort Lady Brindley to a room where she might receive attention…”

Caroline gave a little squeak of dismay, but obediently hurried forward and attempted to take Phylomena’s arm. The latter snatched it back, snarling at the assembled crowd as a piece of garnish slid down the end of a soggy feather and fell with an audible wet plop on the floor before her. “I won’t leave until she’s taken by the watch! I will prefer charges against her! No one treats me in this manner, NO ONE!”