Ten Kisses to Scandal by Vivienne Lorret

Author:Vivienne Lorret
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2018-12-23T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

“. . . that first in anticipation, and then in reality, it became henceforth her prime object of interest . . .”

Jane Austen, Emma

“Miss Bourne, you look lovely this evening,” Daniel Prescott said as he handed her down from the carriage, his face slowly saturating with red blotches above a high-necked cravat. “Of course, I did not mean to imply that it is only this evening but . . . that you are always . . .”

Stepping onto the pavement in front of the opera house, Briar smiled and quickly put him out of his misery. “Thank you, Mr. Prescott, and you look rather dashing yourself.”

And so did Nicholas. He was rakishly handsome in his superfine black wool with brushed velvet lapels. With his hair swept away from his forehead, it drew attention to the sharp angles of his features and the bold slashes of dark brows.

As he waited to hand down his aunt, his gaze drifted to Briar. Those onyx irises darkened as they descended down her length of white satin, to the tips of her slippers, and back up to her fitted bodice and the flared sleeves perched on the very crests of her shoulders. She’d left her neck unadorned and her hair up in a twist with Mother’s silver-and-pearl combs. If the warmth in his gaze was any indication, she believed she’d chosen wisely.

A rush of eager expectation filled every thrumming pulse. Her first night at the opera. Moonbeams were shooting out of her eyes and the tips of her fingers.

Temperance couldn’t hold back another small clap, the happy sound muffled by her long milk-white gloves. And she looked breathtaking in a pale blue gown with gold netting, her eyes resembling topaz gems, faceted to capture every bit of light.

Even Uncle Ernest and Mrs. Prescott were dressed to the nines, the former handsome in storm-cloud gray and the latter in a lovely rich burgundy and looking ten years younger with the glow in her cheeks.

Once they were inside, Briar gasped at the splendor of the vast house. Beneath the domed ceiling, a tower of balconies was illuminated by chandeliers and flickering sconces. Rounded archways were adorned in gilded plaster moldings, and scores of society’s elite were dressed in lush finery and glittering jewels. It was like standing inside a treasure chest.

“I feel that way, too,” Temperance said from beside her, stepping away from the rest of the party. “Four Seasons and I’m still awestruck every time I attend the opera. This alone almost makes me want to beg Nicholas to fund a fifth.”

“You won’t need it. You’ll be married by year’s end. We just to need to find a handsome bachelor who holds a box here.”

“Indeed, you make it sound so simple, as if I could point to the box with the best view of the stage and fall in love with the man who owns it.”

“Love should be that easy. Close your eyes, point, and when you open them again, you’ll see sparks.” Briar pantomimed her words as she spoke, but felt the tip of her finger make contact with something hard and warm.

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