Passion and Propriety (Hearts of Honour Book 1) by Elise de Sallier

Author:Elise de Sallier [de Sallier, Elise]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: The Writer’s Coffee Shop
Published: 2014-08-05T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 22

Possibility

“Thank you, Marianne. That will be all.” Hannah dismissed her lady’s maid with a smile.

Against her mentors’ specific instructions, she was becoming friends with the French woman. Marianne du Chaud was an enigma, her English surprisingly good—much better than Hannah’s French—and her level of education far surpassing what was expected of one in her position. Hannah suspected Marianne had an interesting story and hoped, in time, the woman would trust her enough to reveal what had led her to her current career.

“You’re not nervous are you, my lady?”

Hannah’s rueful smile acknowledged the validity of the maid’s concern.

The nightgown and matching robe she’d donned were quite daring for a new bride, a gift from one of the premiere London dressmakers now vying for her patronage. If this was a typical wedding night, Hannah doubted she’d have been bold enough to wear the ensemble that revealed almost as much as it concealed. In hopes of adding to her allure, she’d left her hair unbraided after it had been brushed to a silken shine, and had even dabbed a few drops of cologne at her wrists.

“You do know what’s going to happen?” Marianne asked, looking over Hannah’s shoulder in the dressing table mirror.

Hannah knew what she hoped would happen, though the odds were slim.

“I’m not afraid of that.” Taking a deep breath, she decided to confide in her new companion. “I’m worried my husband won’t find me appealing.”

To her surprise, Marianne laughed. “Have you seen the way His Lordship looks at you? You have absolutely nothing to fear.”

Hannah’s hopes swelled. “How does he look at me?”

“Like a man who very much likes what he sees.”

“But he’s only kissed me the once. The day of our betrothal,” Hannah said then flinched at having made such a disclosure.

“That’s because he’s a gentleman, not evidence of lack of interest.” Marianne raised an auburn brow, seeming neither shocked nor offended. “Believe me. I can tell when a man desires a woman, and your viscount has eyes for no other.”

Hannah hoped her maid was correct, for if her courage didn’t fail her, she intended using that desire to help her husband overcome his ethics. Regardless of her resolve, she jumped like a startled rabbit at William’s knock.

Her time was up.

“I’m sure everything will be fine.” Marianne gave her a reassuring smile before opening the door that led to William’s suite then excusing herself with a curtsy.

“Well, that should take care of the servants.” William closed the door behind the departing maid. “I hope I haven’t kept you waiting too—” Coming to a halt a few yards into the room, his jaw dropped. “Good heavens!”

“Is my gown not appropriate? Marianne said it was fitting for my wedding night.” Hannah allowed herself the white lie. Moving to stand beside the bed, she kept her expression guileless as if she wasn’t aware her breasts were clearly delineated by the form-fitting bodice. Both gown and robe were fashioned from the same diaphanous fabric and, with the candelabra positioned strategically behind her, every line and curve of her body was on display.

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.