Taming a Gentleman Spy by Maggi Andersen

Author:Maggi Andersen
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Knox Robinson Publishing
Published: 2013-11-20T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

The day of Sibella’s betrothal ball dawned wet and dreary, the leaves of the trees in the garden dripping forlornly. Held at Eaton Place in the ballroom, the house had been in a flurry of preparation for weeks. Urns of flowers decorated every corner. Crates of champagne shipped from France were chilled. A large quantity of delectable foods had been prepared. Rooms seldom used were opened and laid out with toiletries to provide dressing rooms for the ladies and gentlemen, and extra servants were hired to attend them. Many returned from the country for the occasion as it was quite an event on the social calendar. Sibella forced herself to appear happy in her mother’s presence. When alone, she struggled with her doubts.

Every time she saw Lord Coombe she made a valiant effort, but always came away troubled. He was perfectly correct in his behavior toward her. She chided herself for being illogical and doubled her efforts to be nice to him. Even her mother found him personable. She had no avenue of escape. She had accepted Strathairn would never step in and claim her. Her wedding to Lord Coombe was as inevitable as the seasons. She just wished he didn’t unnerve her so. It was as if the real Lord Coombe had not yet revealed himself.

Chaloner had come to express his delight and told her how proud he was of her. ‘You are a sensible woman, Sib,’ he said. ‘And I trust you will be very happy.’

And you are a hypocrite, she’d thought, as she offered him her cheek to kiss. Tired of being called sensible, she was no longer sure it fitted her. Her emotions had been so confused of late. She sighed heavily and chewed her bottom lip as her maid pinned her dress of blush pink embroidered net over white satin. Her hair was pomaded and arranged in loops and pearls graced her throat and ears. She fiddled with an earring and her betrothal ring flashed. The ruby and diamond ring once belonged to Lord Coombe’s mother. He had been at pains to reassure her that Mary Jane had refused to wear the ring, as she disliked rubies.

At ten o’clock, the first guests began to arrive. Sibella stood beside Lord Coombe with her mother, Chaloner and Lavinia, to welcome them. In the ballroom, amid a profusion of candles and the glitter of spangles and finery, she danced the first waltz with her fiancé. He led her expertly through the steps, shoulders back, a satisfied smile on his lips. She tried not to compare him with Strathairn. But the differences were glaring. John’s eyes delved deeply into hers as they danced, as if he wished to know everything about her. Coombe seemed more concerned about the effect they had on those around them. He rarely showed interest in her as a person. Did he consider her an object, a possession?

Her mother had said everything fell into place after husband and wife were intimate. She couldn’t imagine the act, her mind closed down in horror.

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.