Secretly Marvellous (Regency Novella Book 5) by Virginia Taylor

Author:Virginia Taylor [Taylor, Virginia]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Published: 2021-01-26T18:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINE

Mary opened Eden’s letter, shakily taking out a banknote for the enormous sum of five hundred guineas. She had never imagined seeing so much money in her whole life. His accompanying letter said to use the money for her wardrobe. Her eyes prickled with tears. Gratitude filled every space in her heart. Her brother was the kindest man in the whole world. He had given her the same amount as he had given Lucy two years ago.

During this past weeks with the generous Westerhams, she had been measured countless times, pricked with pins, and turned around in circles in her attempt to share the limelight with this season’s beauties. Now she had the means to pay for her purchases, a great relief to her, for she had no intention of taking Westerham’s money when Eden had already promised he would help with her trousseau. Today he had kept his promise.

Now the countess needed to do no more than share her well thought-out plans for Mary’s gowns that had begun to make her into a debutante worth knowing. Society had tentatively accepted her. One of the season’s beauties at the ball a few days ago complimented Mary’s taste. With three exquisite new gowns given to her by the countess, and an expert dresser, Mary looked fashionable enough to confuse even herself into thinking she had never looked better in her life. Now she had the money to buy whatever else she needed, starting with an embroidered shawl of her own. Her shoes also needed replenishment.

However, her success mainly depended on the countess and the fact that Mary appeared to be connected to Westerham in some way. The beauties whom had not yet won a husband in the lottery of life, still had hopes of him. When Mary had finished using him as her marvelous escort, she would throw him back into the pool of eligible bachelors.

So far, her few weeks in London had been filled with balls, musical evenings, supper parties, and visits to places like the museum and the art galleries. In exchange for his money and being scrupulously entertained by him, the rakishly handsome earl merely wanted an heir from her. Naturally, that would never happen. She meant to do no more than make false promises to keep him trailing after her. False promises worked on a man as effectively as on a woman.

An expert, lying seducer had taught her this.

She doubted anything but Westerham’s pride would be hurt when she ended the farce, an expectation that somewhat eased her mind. No one outside the family knew that he thought she would marry him. Of course she couldn’t. A kind and considerate man like him deserved so much better.

For the past few days she had managed not to be left alone with him, for her own sake rather than his. His kiss had almost caused her to confess to him what she had done, but at this stage, when she didn’t know if she would suffer the consequences, she thought she could keep her worries a secret.

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