The Demure Debutante - a Regency Novella by Caylen McQueen

Author:Caylen McQueen [McQueen, Caylen]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Amazon: B006UXQNWK
Published: 2012-01-07T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

Edward and Arthur were standing beside the horses, patiently awaiting the arrival of their female companions. When Willow and Emilia finally appeared, they were walking arm-in-arm.

And Arthur's heart sank.

“Breeches?!” he exclaimed. As he raked his eyes across Emilia's body, they were filled with disapproval. “Willow, what are you thinking?!”

“Don't we look fetching?” As Willow struck a pose, she gave the younger girl a reassuring wink. Both women were dressed identically, in buckskins, top-boots, gentlemen's shirts and—oddly enough—a lady's spencer. “I told Emilia I'm not comfortable riding sidesaddle... that it's much easier to ride like a man. Her curiosity was piqued, so I let her borrow some of my clothes!”

Arthur cast a hopeless glance in Edward's direction, as if hoping he would say something. “I'm... speechless,” Arthur grumbled. To Edward, he added, “She's your sister. Surely you can't approve of this?”

“And Willow is your sister,” Edward pointed out. “You seem content enough to let her get away with it.”

“Willow is a bit... headstrong. I know I cannot prevent her from doing whatever she wishes,” Arthur ruefully reported. “However, I'm not entirely comfortable with the idea of Emilia becoming her protege.”

Edward gave him an encouraging slap on the arm. “Well, as you said, she's my sister. I see nothing wrong with letting her have a bit of fr-fr-freedom.” When he felt Willow pinching his rear end, he hoped her brother would not notice. Lately, it seemed to be her favorite place to pinch him.

“What if someone should happen to see you like this, Emilia? I would not want them to get the wrong impression of you!” Arthur exclaimed.

“And what would they think? That I'm a hoyden? That I enjoy a relaxing ride? You really need to lighten up, Mr. Rochefort!” As she spoke, Emilia swiftly mounted her horse. She had to admit: wearing a man's breeches made the task much less difficult.

“Besides,” Willow added, “I have been riding many times, and I never encounter anyone! Our nearest neighbor is very far. Don't listen to my brother, Emilia. He has uttered the same words to me more times than I can count!”

As he mounted his horse, Arthur heaved a sigh of defeat. He already knew there was nothing he could say to get them to change their minds. Another word of protest would simply be a waste of breath.

When everyone had mounted up, they headed toward the brook, which happened to be the same direction Emilia had taken when she got lost. However, with so many people accompanying her, she knew she had nothing to fear. She was sure Willow and Arthur could navigate the area much more efficiently than she could.

“I can't believe we're getting married in four days!” Willow exclaimed. “Four days! I don't think I've ever been so excited in my life!”

“Nor I,” Edward agreed. He was excited—and nervous. The closer they got to their wedding day, the more he could feel his nerves mounting. Having no experience in the bedroom was an intimidating privation. What if he wasn't

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