Natalya (The Beauvisage Novels #4) by Cynthia Wright

Author:Cynthia Wright [Wright, Cynthia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2011-08-22T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 20

April 29-30, 1814

"I don't mean to be rude, rushing you at such a delicate moment, but I'm afraid you'll have to get dressed immediately," Grey told Natalya after he had sent Fedbusk belowstairs with orders to offer Mr. Beauvisage a glass of Madeira.

She was already throwing back the covers and scrambling off the bed, oblivious to her own nakedness. "Where's my gown? And my chemise? Oh, Lord, look at them! It looks as if I've worn them to bed!" In the process of shaking the wrinkles out of her muslin gown, Natalya colored prettily as she realized what she'd said. Grey had already pulled on his own shirt and trousers, and now he paused to help her dress, fastening the back of her gown with amazing speed.

"My hair," she hissed, catching sight of her cascading curls in the looking glass. Near tears, she searched frantically through the bedclothes for her hair pins. "How could Papa be here? Could this be a jest on Fedbusk's part?"

"Wishful thinking, my dear. Here are your slippers. I'll go downstairs and distract your father until you have made yourself presentable. I'll tell him that you are looking for a book you loaned me." Grey paused before his shaving stand mirror to rake a hand through his hair, which fell obligingly into place, then he looked back and flashed a daring grin. "Cheer up, minx. Think of this as an adventure that you'll laugh about later."

Watching him go, Natalya felt more like sobbing than laughing. Her father would surely guess; he'd see it in her eyes, and nothing would ever be the same. However, after finding a silver-backed brush and arranging her hair carefully, hope began to blossom in her breast. Her gown looked almost presentable, particularly after she had donned her blue spencer and buttoned it primly. As an afterthought, she grabbed the copy of Rene she had given Grey in France and hurried down the elliptical staircase.

Grey was entertaining his guest in his ground-floor study. It was a cozy room, decorated for Nicholai Beauvisage in shades of terra-cotta and gold. One whole wall was a mosaic of handsomely bound books, and Natalya discovered her father and Grey sitting before the freshly laid fire on matching wing chairs. When she appeared in the doorway, a spot of color on each cheek, they rose to greet her.

"Talya," Alec said, opening his arms, "what a surprise to find you here! I stopped on a whim to ask Mr. St. James if he'd care to join me for supper at my club."

Grateful for the shelter of his embrace, Natalya replied, "I originally drove here with Kristin because Grandmama was too busy for us and Krissie wanted to see if there was anything Mr. St. James might need. Outside, we encountered a Mr. Gladstone, who took Kristin off, so I was forced to visit alone." Emboldened, she looked up to give her father a smile. "I was just upstairs in the sitting room when you arrived, looking for this.

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