Shana Galen Bundle by Shana Galen

Author:Shana Galen
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Published: 2013-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

Thirteen

Felicity felt as though she were the one who would be on display for all the ton to see. As she stood in the Valères’ ornate vestibule, waiting for the comte to join the rest of his family, her heart thudded, and her hands felt clammy.

She was nervous, and she was not even going anywhere! It seemed she had so little time to prepare the comte for the musicale. She had done all she could, but how could she be certain she had not forgotten something? Had she remembered to tell him to address dukes as Your Grace? She thought she had. What about daughters of dukes? Had she gone over their honorary titles?

Curses! She had forgotten daughters of dukes, and surely Lady Spencer would have one or two at her musicale.

“Stop looking so worried,” the duchesse of Valère said with a smile. “Armand will do fine.”

Felicity swallowed the lump in her throat. “Of course he will. I’m not worried at all.”

“You are pacing like an expectant father,” the dowager remarked as a maid draped a cape over her bejeweled black gown.

“Am I?” Felicity put a hand to her throat. “I suppose I am a tad nervous. Would one of you be so kind as to review courtesy titles for daughters of dukes with the comte? I don’t know how it slipped my mind.”

The duc raised a brow. “I don’t even know courtesy titles for daughters of dukes.” But Felicity knew that was not true. The duc of Valère was so refined, so elegant. She could not imagine he ever worried or stumbled through any type of social occasion. She, on the other hand, could sympathize with his younger brother. She turned and peered up the steps once again. Where was the comte? She was always nervous before any type of social gathering. Once she arrived, she inevitably relaxed and enjoyed herself, but there was always the worry her dress or her hair or her shoes would not be right.

Was the comte fretting over that now? What was taking him so long? Perhaps she should ask the duc to send a servant to assess his progress; the family was going to be late… could one be late to a ton affair?

Felicity couldn’t stop herself from glancing up the stairs once again, but this time she was rewarded. The most handsome man she had ever seen was strolling down them, one hand on the banister, one in his pocket, and rakish scowl in place. She blinked, and for a moment she did not recognize him. And then she all but gasped as she realized it was the comte!

Tonight he looked every inch the aristocrat he was. He wore a dark blue coat of superfine, tailored perfectly to show off his broad shoulders and wide chest. It fit tightly, skimming down to slim hips that were encased in dark breeches. The breeches were also well-fitted, showing off muscled thighs. He wore the requisite cravat, and it was starched to perfection, but most surprising were the pumps.

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