One Magic Night by Alexa Aston

Author:Alexa Aston [Aston, Alexa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Romance, Historical
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2022-12-11T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

Larissa watched Lizzy arrange the final strands of hair.

“I look the best I ever have,” she said softly, gazing at her image in the mirror.

Lizzy placed her hands on Larissa’s shoulders. “You look beautiful, my lady.” Squeezing her gently, Lizzy added, “No one will outshine you tonight.”

The maid moved away and then answered the knock at Larissa’s door. To her surprise, Mama entered the bedchamber and flicked her hand, dismissing Lizzy. The servant looked to Larissa, who nodded, and Lizzy slipped out the door.

Rising, she said, “Good evening, Mama. What brings you here?”

Her mother came closer and Larissa saw tears brimming in her eyes. Her mother never cried. Ever.

She took Larissa’s hands in hers. “Lord Silverton sent me a note. He told me that the two of you discussed . . . the past. That you know you are his natural daughter and not Campton’s.”

“We did. He is a lovely man, Mama. One who still loves you very much.”

“I made a mess of things,” her mother admitted. “After I had Peter, I was so lonely. Your father—that is, Campton—had his heir and didn’t care much for me or my feelings. My father, who had been so keen on the marriage, died the year Peter was born. He didn’t live long enough to enjoy the match made between our families.”

Mama sighed and seated herself at Larissa’s dressing table, picking up things absently as she spoke.

“When Silverton came back to town after being gone several years, I had already engaged in a few illicit affairs. I begged him to come to me. The passion between us still existed.”

Mama put down the hairbrush. “But when I discovered I was with child and had not been with Campton in many months, Silverton told me I must go to my husband and do whatever it took to have him bed me. That I must make my husband believe you were his child. I did so but he wasn’t fooled for long. Once I began to show, he berated me, knowing the child I carried was not his. The only thing he said to me after your birth was that he was thankful you were a female and not his spare.”

Mama rose and embraced Larissa. “Silverton wed shortly after and he let me know we could never be close again. That he wanted to honor the vows he had spoken with his wife. He has watched you over the years, though, Larissa. Gone to the park when your nanny took you so that he could see you from afar. Sat at a table at Gunter’s a few feet away from us so he could admire what a beauty you have become. He is very sorry he cannot acknowledge you in public.”

“He told me as much,” she said, stepping away from her mother, needing a bit of space. “Did he say . . . anything else?”

“He told me you would not be wedding Lord Langdon. I know nothing beyond that. Silverton is clever, as you are. You take after him in that respect.

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