All That I Am: A Victorian Historical Romance (The Hesitant Husbands Series Book 1) by Grace Hartwell

Author:Grace Hartwell [Hartwell, Grace]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Book One of the Hesitant Husbands Series
Published: 2020-10-03T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 20

They arrived at the Everetts’ precisely fifteen minutes after seven o'clock. The Everett home was beautiful, and much larger than most townhouses. It had been built long before the others had moved in, and therefore was spacious and had a lovely plot of land in the back, perfect for afternoon teas outside. Louisa had yet to put her stamp on the house, as she'd only had a week, but it was tastefully decorated and surprisingly cozy inside.

They were shown upstairs to the drawing room, where Louisa rushed forth to welcome them. “Forgive me for not meeting you at the door myself. Miss Hastings had just arrived and I was escorting her. Ladies, you look splendid!”

Lainey was wearing a dinner gown of deep green trimmed at the cuffs and neckline with delicate blonde lace, while Elizabeth was heart-stopping in sapphire blue that matched her eyes exactly and black jet beading that complemented her dark hair and ivory skin. If Louisa recognized the gown as Lainey’s, she said nothing. Instead, she turned to acknowledge the ladies’ escorts. “How nice to see you, Mr. Mayfield. So glad you could join us.”

“I thank you for the invitation, Mrs. Everett. Congratulations on your recent marriage. I'm sorry I could not attend,” Gavin smiled, giving her a polite bow.

“We did miss you…though there was enough excitement to keep us distracted,” she added wryly, glancing at Aidan as he bowed over her hand.

“You look radiant this evening, Mrs. Everett,” Aidan purred. “I've always liked burgundy on brunettes.”

“You've always liked brunettes,” she teased.

He grinned and acquiesced, sending a sideways glance at Elizabeth. “Can you blame me?”

Elizabeth blushed furiously and looked away.

“Come now, Aidan. Stop being such a flirt,” Lainey admonished. She sighed and turned to Elizabeth. “It's going to be a long night. I'm afraid I can already feel the charm beginning to ooze.”

“Oh, hush, my dear!” Aidan capitulated, laughing. “Gavin, please keep your companion under control!”

“She’s your sister!”

They all laughed and Louisa excused herself to greet more guests. Aidan took Elizabeth by the arm and led her off to introduce her to some of his friends. He left Lainey and Gavin on their own to mingle, more so to spare Elizabeth than anything else. She was incredibly nervous, most inexplicably every time Gavin went near her. She steadfastly avoided him every time he was in the same room, and though Gavin had made every attempt at conversing with her, she practically fled every time he approached. She insisted nothing was wrong and that Gavin was a perfectly nice gentleman, yet she avoided him as if he were diseased.

He introduced Elizabeth around the room, then showed her over to a small group standing by the window. They greeted Anne Hastings, Lainey’s best friend whom Elizabeth had met at tea, and then a young man with red hair and an amiable face turned to address Aidan.

“Ashby! Good to see you, my friend.”

“You as well,” Aidan returned, shaking hands. “Miss Elizabeth Townsend, may I present to you Donovan MacKavoy? Mr.

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