At Daggers Drawn by Lois Menzel

Author:Lois Menzel [Menzel, Lois]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Regency Romance
Publisher: Belgrave House
Published: 1989-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

If it is true that clothes make the man, then Caroline thought it must be doubly true for women. Until she started wearing gay frocks again, she had not realized what a dampening effect her other clothes had had on her. Years of scrimping had reduced her wardrobe to the boring basics. Most of her gowns had been remade from older fashions, while the past months of mourning had nearly made her forget that wonderful colors existed.

She and her mother had unpacked ten new gowns from the London trunks, each more lovely than the last. There was a walking dress in dark green, a morning dress in sunshine yellow, a dashing evening gown of burgundy satin. They all fit perfectly. Nor had Patience been forgotten. There were several pleasing, appropriate dresses for her as well.

Wearing the yellow morning dress with its short puffed sleeves and flounces at the hem, Caroline crossed the hall to the library, humming to herself. It was a dreary, rainy afternoon, but in the attractive gown her spirits soared. She entered the room with a smile on her face, wondering what William and Miles would think of her new dress. Her smile quickly faded when she found Lord Brooke to be the room’s only occupant. He had been seated in a comfortable chair before the fire but came to his feet when he saw her.

“Please, don’t stand,” she said quickly. “I did not mean to disturb you. I did not know you would be coming down today; are you sure you should have?”

“I feel fine, thank you.” He resumed his seat while she settled onto a nearby chair.

“You look well,” she returned, though privately she thought him pale. He was dressed with typical precision. A russet cut-away coat hugged his broad shoulders and his snowy cravat was arranged in a splendid waterfall. During the two weeks he had spent in bed, he had seemed more approachable. Now, seeing him dressed and in command again, Caroline found herself wary. “I was seeking William and Miles.”

“We need two more teams for the harvest and autumn plowing. They went with Stephen to the horse auction in Luton.”

“On such a day as this?”

“The auction will be held rain or shine. If attendance is poor they may get the animals at a lower price. That would be a bit of luck. I doubt they will be home in time for dinner. That is a very becoming dress, by the way.”

She smiled. “You are praising your own taste, sir, since you chose it.”

“Not I. I merely submitted your measurements and a description of your coloring. The modiste chose the fabric and patterns according to your mother’s instructions. If this is a fair sample of her work then she has done well. You look lovely.”

The simple compliment took her by surprise and she turned away quickly to hide the blush she felt creeping into the cheeks. “Are you testing me to see what my reaction shall be when gentlemen stand in line

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