The Lady in Pearls by Lauren Smith

Author:Lauren Smith [Smith, Lauren]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-05-04T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

Daphne trembled as she gazed at herself in the full-length mirror. Her new maid had helped her dress in her lovely but simple purple evening gown. Would it be good enough to please Lachlan? He’d claimed he didn’t want a fancily dressed wife, but that didn’t stop her from wanting to look pleasing. His friend Cameron McLeod and his new wife Eliza had arrived for dinner and Daphne couldn’t shake the feeling that they would be studying her closely, measuring her to see if she made a suitable match for their friend.

“You look lovely, my lady. Truly.” Mary sighed dreamily. “Purple complements your fair skin.”

Daphne pressed a hand to her cheek, trying to see the beauty Mary spoke of. She had to admit, she did look...better. Two months of scraps had left her gaunt and feeling worn in ways she hadn’t been prepared for. Having a warm bed and regular meals had been more than a relief, it had been restorative.

I am finally safe, I finally have a home.

Her eyes suddenly burned and she closed them, fighting her emotions.

Mary touched her shoulder, giving her a gentle squeeze. “My lady? Are you all right?”

She cleared her throat. “Yes. I am. ’Tis nerves, is all. I’m anxious about meeting Mr. McLeod and his wife.”

Mary grinned. “There’s no need to be nervous. Mr. McLeod is a perfect gentleman, especially toward the ladies. I suspect his Lordship will be the one in trouble.”

“Oh?” Daphne reached for the white elbow-length gloves that had been laid out across the bed’s coverlet.

“Yes, Mr. McLeod—Cameron, that is--loves to tease his Lordship. Ever since they were lads, or so I’ve heard. Mr. McLeod will no doubt tease him about you, as well.” Mary put the brushes and extra pins into the drawers of the vanity table.

“What could he tease Lord Huntley about in regards to me?” Daphne asked.

The maid shrugged, reluctant to speak.

“Please, tell me.”

Mary glanced around, as if afraid someone would hear, then said in a low voice, “It’s quite well known that his Lordship has certain beliefs on marriage,” she began. “He’d always proclaimed he would marry only for love. Now that he’s marrying you… well, Mr. McLeod will be sure to prod him about his reasons.”

“Oh dear,” Daphne sighed, and a headache began to form behind her eyes.

Lachlan didn’t love her and would likely be upset if his friend teased him about it.

“I wouldn’t worry about it, my lady,” Mary replied with a little giggle before a distant gong sounded somewhere. “Ach, dinner’s ready.”

Lachlan had a gong? That was unexpected. Only the finest houses boasted such a thing. Not that Huntley Castle wasn’t fine, but despite the exquisite furnishings, the estate had a rustic feel to it that made her forget she was in one of the finer houses in Scotland.

Daphne left Mary to tidy up the bedchamber. Lachlan waited for her at the bottom of the stairs, one arm resting on the newel post. The sight brought back wild, forbidden memories of last night’s kiss.

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