Lady Alexandra's Excellent Adventure by Sophie Barnes

Author:Sophie Barnes [Barnes, Sophie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2012-05-21T21:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

That evening, Michael and Ryan waited in the parlor for Alexandra to appear. “I don’t understand why it’s taking so long,” Michael muttered. “You and I have to share Mr. Bell between us, yet we managed to be ready half an hour ago.”

Ryan grinned. “You of all people ought to know how long it takes a woman to ready herself for a ball with as many sisters as you have.”

“Of course, I do. But that doesn’t mean I understand it.” He threw back his glass of brandy, savoring the bite of it as it swirled around his mouth.

The sound of a door opening and closing brought both men to attention. They stared at the parlor door, holding their breaths while it slowly opened. Mrs. Bell appeared. “Gentlemen,” she announced with a gleaming smile on her face and a twinkle in her eyes. “May I present, Lady Alexandra Summersby.”

Stepping aside, Mrs. Bell made way for Alexandra.

Michael gasped. She was dressed in the most splendid ball gown that he had ever seen. It was a frost blue creation made of the finest mull. Silver tinsel embroidery dotted the fine fabric—a wide border of the glittering needlework adorning the hem in depiction of wispy, springtime bouquets above a wavy border of flowers.

The sleeves were short puffs set just below the shoulders, the high waist emphasized by a long twisted chord, tied in a knot at the front. But what had Michael struggling for air, was the shocking, plunging neckline that set Alexandra’s cleavage on very prominent display.

“You’re not married yet, Ashford.” Ryan snapped. “I hope you’ll try to remember that.”

“You drive a hard bargain, Summersby,” he drawled, taking a step in Alexandra’s direction. “My dear, you look lovely. Absolutely lovely.”

“Does she have a cloak?” Ryan almost yelled, his voice rising to an alarmingly high pitch. “A cloak if you will, Mrs. Bell.”

“Ryan . . . honestly, you’re too fussy.” Alexandra rolled her eyes at her brother’s efforts to protect her modesty.

“Not fussy enough or you wouldn’t have dared to don such a gown in the first place.”

“It’s French, you know,” she teased.

“Even more reason not to like it,” Ryan muttered. “Mrs. Bell?”

Alexandra giggled with amusement as Mrs. Bell stormed in with a black velvet cloak hanging over her arm. “You can’t keep me covered up all night, you know,” Alexandra said as she pulled the cloak across her shoulders. Ryan groaned. Apparently he knew all too well that he might as well concede her point.

“Not to worry, old boy,” Michael told him with a slap on the back. “I’ll keep a watchful eye on her, as will you. Together I am sure we’ll manage to chase away the hounds.”

“It won’t stop them from looking,” Ryan grumbled.

“That’s enough, you two,” Alexandra exclaimed, slapping her fan furiously against her cloak as she all but stomped her feet in protest. “Yes, my gown is more risqué than any I have ever seen in England. However, I do believe that I am brave enough to wear it.

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