Promises by Lisa Kleypas

Author:Lisa Kleypas
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2011-11-25T23:59:13+00:00

4

With all the whispers of decadence and scandal that accompanied the mention of Vauxhall, Lidian had never actually been quite certain what it was. She quickly discovered that an evening at Vauxhall, an area located north of Kensington Lane, was exactly like attending a party—the most amazing party she could ever imagine. She had never been exposed to a large group of such uninhibited people: aristocrats, dandies, ladies, and prostitutes. Music from a large orchestra filled the air while food vendors sold ice cream, cheesecakes, and biscuits. Lines formed at a lottery booth where tickets were sold for a chance to win colorful trinkets.

Lord De Gray paid the extravagant sum of two guineas apiece for them to enter the gardens. Lidian took care not to meet anyone’s gaze and stayed close by De Gray’s side. However, curiosity soon got the better of her, and she stared at her surroundings with wonder. The gardens were laid out in a pattern of five walkways, some of them covered with awnings and bordered with trees, with gravel or brick underfoot. A cold night breeze whipped around her, and she shivered, glad for the warmth of her thick wool cloak.

De Gray stopped and purchased a narrow black felt mask for her, similar to those many other people were wearing. “No proper young lady would be caught without one,” he assured her dryly, “as well as husbands spending a night away from their wives, or young bloods who wish to appear dashing—”

“Are you going to wear one?” she asked, letting him tie the strip of felt behind her head.

He turned her around to face him, adjusting the mask until she could see through the eyeholes. “It’s no scandal for me to be here, Miss Acland. You, on the other hand, would be ruined.” Noticing that Lidian’s gaze had strayed to a man walking by with a tray of biscuits, he smiled slightly. “You must be hungry. You barely touched your supper earlier.”

“I was too nervous to eat. I kept thinking about…” Her voice trailed away as she recalled how eager she had been to see Chance.

“Forget about that,” he said abruptly, and drew her toward the Grove, where more than a hundred supper boxes were located. They were filled with couples enjoying plates of ham, tongue, and chicken while listening to the orchestra. The music was loud and invigorating, causing all thoughts of Chance to fade from Lidian’s mind. De Gray seated her at a supper box, its interior painted with a country scene by the artist Francis Hayman. The crowd hummed and sang along as the orchestra played a popular tune.

At De Gray’s gesture, a waiter brought them plates piled with miniature roast chickens, paper-thin slices of ham, pastry, and cake filled with layers of cream and berry jam. Lidian applied herself to the food hungrily, pausing in surprise as De Gray handed her a glass of wine.

“I’m not allowed to drink wine,” she said, hesitating.

De Gray lowered his mouth to her ear. “I

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