Courting Controversy (Regency Rebelles Book 2) by Jen Yates

Author:Jen Yates [Yates, Jen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Gyneva Books
Published: 2021-02-12T00:00:00+00:00

***

She felt as hang-dog as Atlas looked, watching the carriage roll down the drive.

Lucy felt as if the sun had fallen out of her sky and here she’d been thinking it’d be a relief when she didn’t have to face the wicked—knowing—light in his eyes or struggle with the terrible temptation his proximity posed.

The fierce desire to stroke the hair on his chest and touch the flat brown nubs of his nipples, to devour his importuning mouth and then have him strip her naked was becoming more irresistible by the hour.

She was hot and cold with terror and anticipation, knowing he’d do just that once they were married.

It was disconcerting to discover at the ripe old age of twenty-five that she could be as giddy as any green schoolroom miss. How was she to get through the next ten days?

In the event there was little time to think about it.

In less than half an hour of Gabriel’s departure she and Carly were setting out in Grandmama’s roomy old landau to meet Charity, Quelle, Victoria and Aunt Connie at the best dressmaking establishment the village of Stannesford offered.

The Misses Walton were of an indeterminate age, rarely left Stannesford and yet were always apprised of the latest fashions in the capital.

If Lucy was keeping any tendency to excitement well dampened, the Misses Walton along with the others more than made up for it. Her intention of wearing half-mourning colors was firmly vetoed by all. Miss Walton had been talking styles and how the current high-waisted fashion only accentuated ‘my Lady’s excessive height’ and she considered the longer-waisted fashions of the century before to be much more flattering for Lucy’s figure.

‘The waist as it should be and the skirt bell-shaped.’

Lucy had almost fainted as realization came and she’d sunk down onto one of the modiste’s dainty chairs.

‘Lucy, are you all right?’ Aunt Connie asked sharply.

‘Yes, yes! But I’ve just thought. I already have the wedding dress. It’s perfect. It belonged to Belle Grandmére. I think it may have been her wedding dress. I can’t believe I didn’t think of it before. The Misses Walton could just concentrate on day dresses and a couple of evening gowns.’

Aunt Connie scrutinized her closely for a minute, then asked, ‘Are you sure?’

At Lucy’s vigorous nod she took over, planning several other gowns and adding a night rail of soft peach silk with inserts of sheer cream lace that brought a blush to Lucy’s cheeks.

Measurements taken, styles chosen and Lucy commanded to return in a few days for fittings, they all repaired to Miss Lily’s shop for tea and fairy cakes before returning home.

From there the days merged to one long rush of organization. Invitations were written and delivered, menus planned and supplies ordered, Pennington scoured and polished from top to bottom, the lawns and gardens manicured to perfection, all with help from extra staff sent over from Highbrooke.

Without Lady Constance’s experience and the enthusiasm and devotion of her friends and her sister, Lucy knew she would never have managed.

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