The Midnight Heiress (Once Upon a Regency Book 2) by Ashtyn Newbold

Author:Ashtyn Newbold [Newbold, Ashtyn]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, mobi
Published: 2019-03-15T04:00:00+00:00

They took their curricle to town, the horses lively and quick as they pulled them along on the short drive. Kate closed her eyes, enjoying the light breeze on her skin. She wore her most simple morning dress, in part to irritate her mother, who had wanted her to wear her most extravagant gown in public to draw attention, and in part because it was comfortable and light. She hated the heaviness of layered skirts and embellishments in the summertime.

When they arrived at the modiste, Kate agreed with her mother that the silken, pale blue fabric there would be perfect for her gown. The modiste insisted on taking Kate’s measurements herself to ensure their accuracy. A servant had already been sent to deliver their official order for Kate’s dancing slippers to the cordwainer, so all that remained was the final decision on the gown.

Madame Boisseau touched Kate’s shoulders, turning her to face the opposite wall. She measured the width of her shoulders, then the length of her back, jotting down notes as she went. Kate held perfectly still.

Until she saw Aiden out the front window.

She let out a tiny gasp, stepping down from the modiste’s platform as quickly as her legs would allow, hurrying away from the sight of the window. She peered out from her hiding place behind a mannequin, watching the dark sweep of Aiden’s hair as he conversed with someone outside the shop. She could imagine the smile in his voice and the joyful sparkle in his brown eyes.

“Lady Katherine, what are you doing over there?” The modiste’s voice carried a hint of annoyance. “I am not finished with you.” The woman, with her thick, sausage-like curls and rounded cheeks, did not seem the sort of woman to affect a terrifying glare, but here she was, staring down the bridge of her nose at Kate with unarguable demand.

“Kate,” Her mother looked up from the shopping list she had been studying. “Return to the platform at once.”

Kate eyed the window again, silently praying that Aiden would not venture inside or glance behind him and see her being measured for a gown. If he noticed, her ruse would be over. He would likely despise her for lying to him. She could not bear the thought of him hating her.

With slow steps, she made her way back to the platform, allowing the disgruntled Madame Boisseau to finish her measurements. She worked quickly, as if she feared Kate would scurry away again. Kate breathed deeply, her gaze flicking out the window every five seconds to ensure Aiden had not seen her. When the modiste finally finished, Kate stepped down, moving far away from the window and pretending to examine the fabrics across the shop. She didn’t know whether to be relieved or disappointed that she had not had the opportunity to speak to Aiden.

She decided she should be relieved. She could not have him discovering her true identity.

He was likely here in town on an errand from his master. The thought drove disappointment through her, another sharp reminder of her hopelessness toward him.

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