Mutual Consent by Gayle Buck

Author:Gayle Buck [Buck, Gayle]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Tags: Fiction, Historical, Regency, Romance
ISBN: 9780451169396
Google: tuajPQAACAAJ
Amazon: 0451169395
Publisher: Signet
Published: 1991-04-01T23:00:00+00:00

Babs had carefully chosen the gown that she would wear for the ball. She knew that she would be the object of all eyes, as would her house and her table. She was determined that there would be nothing that could be pointed to as smelling of the trades.

She smoothed the shimmering violet skirt of her gown, liking the reflection of herself in the cheval glass. The neckline of her dress was low and more revealing than any she had previously worn. Her bosom was emphasized by the thin velvet ribbon that tied under her breasts, its lengths falling to the hem. The sleeves were long and reached over her hands from the wrist bands, establishing a claim to modesty, but the skirt was open in front to reveal the lavishly laced petticoat she wore underneath.

Babs had resisted her maid’s urgings to have her hair cropped short in the Titus, the newest fashion from France. Instead, she had requested that her hair be brushed back and caught in a comb highly decorated with precious stones. Her auburn hair was softly plaited at the back of her head while the front had been allowed to remain in soft curls to frame her face. Wisping tendrils escaped about her ears, accenting the amethyst studs she wore.

The maid lifted the necklace that matched the studs. The cool fire of diamonds and amethysts glittered in the candlelight. “‘Tis a beautiful piece, my lady,” said the maid admiringly as she fastened the necklace about her mistress’s slender neck.

“Yes, it is.” Babs touched the cool stones with her fingers. She stared at herself in the mirror. The earl had sent up the jewel box with the necklace and studs nestled inside and a careless note that it was to mark the occasion of their first ball. He had not presented it to her himself, and for some inexplicable reason that gave her an odd hurt.

Babs lifted her chin. She refined too much upon the manner of the gift. It was enough that the gesture had been made and the house servants had been aware of it. She could sense the difference in attitude in the silent undermaid who had been assisting Lucy with readying her gown, silk stockings, and white gloves. The wariness that had been hers since she had fired the housekeeper and maids was beginning to warm. She had gained some worth along with the earl’s largess.

Babs knew from her reflection that she was beautifully turned out. Her hair was dressed à la Egyptienne, but she had not had the courage to finish the look. Now she rather thought she would do so. “Lucy, pray bring me the gold beads,” she said quietly.

The maid looked at her mistress with an appalled expression. “You’ll never be wearing those, my lady. Why, it is positively heathen you’ll look.”

“Pray do as I say,” said Babs. She was acutely aware of the undermaid’s scarcely concealed curiosity.

The maid grumbled under her breath but reluctantly brought the beads out of the jewel box.

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