Intriguing Lady by Leonora Blythe

Author:Leonora Blythe [Blythe, Leonora]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Regency Romance
Publisher: Untreed Reads
Published: 2014-08-26T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

“What do you think, Polly?” Roberta asked as she turned slowly in front of the mirror. “Will anyone recognize me?”

Polly shook her head and looked away in some confusion. Her mistress was behaving in a very strange manner, one she couldn’t understand at all. And the dress she was wearing was now almost indecent. Without the lace insert, the bodice revealed an ample portion of bosom.

“I don’t ’ardly think so, Miss Roberta,” she said at last. “I’ve never seen you look so…I mean, you don’t look like a lady at all.”

Roberta laughed. “I’m not supposed to, Polly,” she explained to the young girl. “I’ve dressed as I think a French courtesan would, for it is important that I attract a certain gentleman’s attention tonight.” She smoothed an imaginary crease from the close-fitting skirt, which caused the soft folds of silk chiffon to hug her legs closely. “I hope I have the courage to bear the ogling glances I’m bound to draw.”

“Mrs. Ashley will be most upset when she sees you,” Polly ventured. “Do you really ’ave to go to such lengths?”

“Dear Polly, you mustn’t worry. Sir Nicholas will give me all the protection I need. And Ashley won’t see my gown until we have arrived at Lady Winthrop’s. I will don my cloak before I leave the bedroom.”

The hint of excitement in Roberta’s voice was infectious, and Polly nodded secretively. It suddenly occurred to her that her mistress was really trying to attract Sir Nicholas but was using the other gentleman as bait. And with that thought, a tiny flame of hope was rekindled in her own heart. If her mistress succeeded in attaching Sir Nicholas, then perhaps she would not have to forego her own future happiness with Davids, the man she loved.

“Hurry, Polly,” Roberta urged as the hall clock chimed. “My cloak and mask. I don’t want to be late.”

Polly deftly placed the cloak about Roberta’s shoulders and stood back to insure that her mistress’s dress was well concealed.

Roberta swept gracefully out of the room. Just as she reached the bottom of the sweeping staircase, Mrs. Ashley joined her.

“I declare, I am quite looking forward to this evening,” Mrs. Ashley said. “I shall enjoy watching the pageantry of the various costumes. Are you still going to keep me in suspense about yours? I think I should know what you are wearing, in case I lose sight of you in the crush.”

“You won’t, Ashley. I’ll make certain of that.”

“I thought I heard your voice, Roberta,” Lord Bromley said as he emerged from his study. “You’d best be off before you miss all the festivities. I hear there is to be a firework display of uncommon brilliance.”

Roberta smiled and kissed his cheek. “Good night, Uncle. I will see you in the morning to tell you all that transpires.”

“I won’t be here,” he said somewhat evasively. “But if anything happens, I’m bound to hear about it.”

Roberta frowned and was about to ask where, he was going, when the butler announced that the carriage was waiting.

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