Undone by the Earl by Elizabeth Rue

Author:Elizabeth Rue [Rue, Elizabeth]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2018-06-20T16:00:00+00:00

Early that evening Anna sat in her dressing gown as Sophie brushed out her hair. Anna rolled a hairpin between her fingers, the metal cool against her skin, the small red stone at the end sparkling in the candlelight. A carved wooden box lay open on the dressing table before her with a dozen identical hairpins inside. They were from her mother. She’d worn them only on Christmas and a few other special occasions, but tonight she decided she would look her best. It had been too long since she had dressed to draw attention to herself.

Lord Wareton was right; she had been hiding. His kisses made her realize how much she was denying herself. Why shouldn’t she allow herself some happiness now? After all, Madeline would likely wed within a few years, and then Anna would be free to marry. She might as well begin looking her best. It had nothing to do with wanting to gain Lord Wareton’s attention, nothing at all.

“Where are you off to tonight?” Sophie asked.

“A musicale at Smithfield Park,” Anna said. Sophie pulled Anna’s auburn tresses straight and began to build the usual tight knot. “Something different, please,” Anna said. “I would like it pinned up gently.”

“Pinned up?” Sophie let the hair slip from her fingers and stared at Anna’s reflection.

“Yes. And these instead of the plain ones.” Anna handed Sophie a hairpin. “And perhaps you could leave a few curls down?”

Sophie grinned. “You’ve your eye on a gentleman. Finally! Who is it, miss?”

“I do not have my eye—”

“It’s Mr. Sinclair, isn’t it? You can tell me. He’s a handsome one, and much more affable than his lordship, I might add. And far more dashing than Sir Neville. I am not surprised—”

“I do not have my eye on a gentleman.”

“Whatever you say.” Sophie shook her head, still smiling as she began to arrange Anna’s hair.

Anna picked up a perfume bottle from the back of the dressing table and lifted the top to her nose. Jasmine. Too heavy. She chose a second, crinkling her nose at the too-sweet lilac fragrance. Usually, she used only rosewater, but tonight she wanted something different. She tried two others before settling on a light lavender scent. She dabbed it on her neck and wrists.

“That smells pretty,” Sophie said. “I am sure the gentleman you don’t have your eye on will like it.” She finished tucking Anna’s hair into a loose chignon, and began to curl the tendrils she’d left free.

“I’m out of practice, but I believe it looks quite lovely,” Sophie said as she finished. Sophie helped Anna put on ear bobs that she seldom wore, which were also from her mother, small teardrop rubies that hung just below her ears on thin gold chains.

“Which gown would you like?” Sophie swung open the doors to Anna’s wardrobe.

“One of the new ones.” Anna rose and went over to examine the dresses hanging in the back, the ones that she’d never worn from the most recent shopping expedition. She pulled out the most beautiful one, a burgundy silk gown with short, puffy sleeves and a low, square neckline.

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