No One's Bride (Scandal Sheet Survivors Book 4) by Adele Clee

Author:Adele Clee [Clee, Adele]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-06-24T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

One expected to see a familiar reflection when peering into a looking glass. Yes, the faint mole on Ailsa’s cheek was visible. One eyebrow was not quite as arched as the other, and the fiery red curls tickling her earlobe were still the bane of her existence.

Yet she looked nothing like herself.

Delphine’s maid has styled her hair in a soft, sweeping coiffure. She had added a little powder to even her complexion, a dab of rouge to redden her cheeks and lips. Such things enhanced one’s features, they didn’t alter them drastically. Still, Ailsa felt different. Beautiful. Feminine. Exposed.

“The blue silk will look divine on you.” Delphine clapped her hands in glee. “You will be the belle of Lady Winfield’s ball. There’ll be stories about you in tomorrow’s Scandal Sheet. Wagers on which gentleman has caught your eye.”

Ailsa suppressed a groan. Gossip was often halfway around the ton before the truth had its boots on. She met the dark-haired beauty’s gaze through the glass. “If there’s ever a way I can repay yer kindness, ye must tell me.”

Mischief danced in Delphine’s wide brown eyes. “I suspect there might be. When I am ready, I shall need your support. I only pray you’re living in London and not rusticating in the Highlands.”

Any curiosity surrounding Delphine’s cryptic comment died. The thought of leaving London filled Ailsa with dread. It wasn’t the busy metropolis she would miss. It wasn’t trips to the theatre or visits to the quaint bookshop tucked away in a narrow snicket. It was him.

“I promised my father I’d return to Scotland after the auction. He’ll be expecting me home within a few weeks. But I shall be back in September.”

September seemed like a lifetime away.

Scotland a million miles.

“I would visit you in the Highlands if I could persuade Aaron to let me travel that far. Still, I shall look forward to your return.” Delphine came closer and placed her hands on Ailsa’s shoulders. “Every eligible bachelor in the ton will want to dance with you tonight.”

She didn’t want to dance with every man.

Only one.

In the next few days, they planned to break the spell. Then she would be living for her books and hoping her married friends would spare an hour of their time. There would be no teasing banter with the viscount. No lustful kisses. No promises of something illicit.

The chime of the mantel clock drew Ailsa from her reverie. “Heavens. I should hurry. Helen will be here in half an hour, and Mr Chance said I must leave before the first customers arrive.”

Since meeting with Professor Mangold yesterday, Lord Denton had been acting strangely. During the journey to the Old Crown, he had hardly spoken a word and seemed glad the place was closed because of a fire in the taproom.

He’d spent hours at the gaming tables last night, waiting for Michael’s shipmate, Mr Kirkwood. Delphine said he’d cursed the man to the devil when he failed to show, and resorted to guzzling brandy with Mr Chance.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.