A Widow's Salvation (Cotillion Ball Saga Book 8) by Becky Lower

Author:Becky Lower [Lower, Becky]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Crimson Romance
Published: 2015-09-06T18:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWELVE

Pepper’s stomach had been unsettled all day. Excitement at being able to again attend the opera coupled with whom she was being escorted by drew her stomach into knots. She’d eaten lightly, spent hours in her bedroom with Molly to select the most appropriate gown to wear, and then changed her mind twice before finally settling on a fine silver brocade with a fitted bodice, a low neckline, and horizontally pleated fabric caught between her breasts by a woven blue flower. The skirt fell in three tiers over an elliptical hoop. Each tier was banded with two inches of blue satin, which perfectly matched her eyes. The sleeves were short and puffed. Molly worked with Pepper’s long hair, pinning it into a lovely mass of curls atop her head.

“’Tis so nice, m’lady, your attending the opera again,” Molly said through the hairpins in her mouth.

“Yes, it’s about time I have some fun. I’ve been so busy with the boys and with the men at the hospital I’ve quite forgotten the enjoyment a night out can bring.”

“’Tis a shame, though, that your husband won’t be with you. La Traviata was his favorite, as I recall.”

Pepper smiled slightly as she and her lady’s maid stared at each other in the mirror. Pepper reached up and placed her hand over Molly’s. “Yes, it was. And, who knows? Maybe it’s a favorite of the colonel’s, too. There’s nothing wrong with sharing an evening of entertainment with him.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Molly grew quiet as she affixed the last of Pepper’s curls. Then she handed Pepper the drop earrings she was to wear and fastened the diamonds around her neck.

Pepper rose as the knock at the front door signaled her escort was at the house. She gathered up her sable wrap and a small reticule and moved to the staircase, hovering for a moment at the top. Elijah waited at the foot of the stairs. She caught his eye before she glided down the staircase and to him.

“You are lovely tonight, Pepper.”

“Thank you, Elijah. You cut a dashing figure yourself.” She took note of his dress uniform and how well it displayed his physique. He helped her into her fur and held his arm out to her. She wrapped a gloved hand around his proffered arm, and they proceeded to the waiting carriage.

Elijah had chosen a small enclosed carriage, due to the cold weather. The driver was well bundled against the elements, but Elijah had apparently known Pepper’s evening gown would do little to protect her against the elements so he thoughtfully arranged for an enclosed carriage for the evening. Pepper settled in, her wide skirt and hoop taking up the rest of the seat. Elijah sat opposite her.

Pepper plucked at the material of her skirt, smoothing out the nonexistent wrinkles. She was suddenly shy around Elijah, and her stomach was quivering under her gown. She told herself she was being foolish. They had been this close to each other at the hospital, while she shaved

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