A Scandalous Suggestion by Emily Hendrickson

Author:Emily Hendrickson [Hendrickson, Emily]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Regency Romance
Publisher: Belgrave House
Published: 1991-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

Sibyl found it impossible to sleep. She knew she ought to remain snuggled beneath the mound of covers for several more hours, but how could she? Today was her ball!

Slipping from her bed, she pulled on her dressing gown, then walked across to peer out the window. The trees in the square rustled with a gentle wind. Tradesmen went about their business with hearty voices and seeming good will, intent upon making deliveries as quickly as they might.

The pretty blue and silver gown she was to wear this evening hung on the outside of her wardrobe to avoid being crushed. It shimmered in the slanting morning sun, seeming to glow with a life of its own.

When Annie peeked in the door to see if Sibyl was awake, she opened her eyes wide with astonishment that Sibyl was up and actually dressing for the day. The blue habit skirt had already been pulled on, and the habit shirt fastened at the neck, the ruff touching her chin as she struggled with her jacket.

“Bring my chocolate and a few buns, please. I would go out for a breath of fresh air. I vow, I cannot remain in the house. Mama will declare me to be underfoot, and scold. Please send word to the groom I wish my horse to be brought around directly.”

Once the chocolate and buns had been consumed Sibyl dashed down to the entry and out to her waiting mare as though the house might claim her, prevent her from leaving. Even now the servants were stirring, putting a final polish on the ballroom.

Consequently, the groom found himself trailing behind Sibyl down South Audley Street. Why she chose to ride along this direction when she might have cut over to the park on Grosvenor Street, Sibyl preferred not to consider.

At the corner of Mount Street and South Audley, Sibyl paused, looking toward the house belonging to the Medland family. Did Robert sit in the breakfast room even now? Was he coming this evening? How she wished she knew. But a young lady, a proper young lady, did not visit the home belonging to a gentleman or his family by herself. Even if invited, her mama would accompany her. She remained a few minutes, her thoughts almost melancholy, before turning away.

The small shops that dotted South Audley were open for business, but it was basically a quiet street. Sibyl ignored these signs of commerce, turning at Mount Street to amble toward the park.

The ruff of her neck tickled her, and she rubbed at it with a gloved hand, while contemplating the blue of her habit. How pleasing it was to know oneself modishly dressed, fine as five-pence, as her papa would say.

Once in the park she found the early morning dew lying heavily on the ground. Although a damp morning, the sun would soon burn off the moisture, and it looked to be a fine day. Cantering along the Row, she wondered if she might espy Robert indulging in a similar pastime.

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