Secrets and Sensibilities by Regina Scott

Author:Regina Scott
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: romance, romantic suspense, mystery, comedy, love story, fun, historical romance, regency, regency romance, clean romance, english history, traditional regency, english romance, la petite four, lady emily, regina scott

Chapter Ten

It was a beautiful dress. The silk flowed over her hand in ripples the color of spring lilacs, shimmering in the candlelight. The cap sleeves and the square cut neck were edged in a darker purple satin, which also decorated the hem in a foot deep of swirled ruching, the puffy folds of similar material curling like grape vines. The necklace and earbobs Daphne produced were a series of amethyst flowers, each center of black jet surrounding a single diamond. They glowed against Hannah’s skin.

“Nearly perfect,” Priscilla pronounced as Hannah stood before the Pier glass mirror in the girl’s bedchamber.

Hannah stared at herself, emotions warring. How wonderful it would be to wear something so lovely, bright, and happy! Yet truth be told, she was wearing it as much for David’s appreciation as her own. Somehow it seemed wrong to want to catch his eye when she had already resigned herself to refusing him. She glanced around at the three beaming faces and realized how much she would disappoint them if she cried off now. She forced a smile.

“It’s lovely,” she agreed.

Satisfied, they allowed her to go visit Ariadne while they changed as well.

To Hannah’s surprise, the girl was up and just finishing her own toilette. Though pale and a little thinner, Ariadne appeared ready to return to her regular routine. Her enthusiastic endorsement of Hannah’s attire made Hannah’s spirits rise despite herself. When the other girls joined them, each of them in bright silk, they made a merry group going down to supper.

As they stepped into the Blue Salon, Hannah’s stomach knotted. What if he didn’t notice? Worse, what if he didn’t approve? She instinctively sought him out against the windows and when she saw him, it was her own reaction she suddenly feared.

For whatever reason, David had finally decided to change out of his habitual tweed suit. Tonight, he wore the black cutaway coat and breeches of a cultured gentleman. The white cravat, folded elegantly about his long neck, brought out the blue of his eyes. The cut of the coat and the tightness of the breeches made her acutely aware of how broad his shoulders were and how long his legs. When she had first encountered him, he had been David the Shepherd. Tonight, he was David the King.

The girls dropped curtseys around her, and when she continued to stare like someone demented, Priscilla tugged her down as well. Have I learned nothing in three days? Hannah thought as she lowered her gaze. I still cannot seem to stop devouring him with my eyes!

When she rose, it was to find David staring at her just as fixedly. The warmth of his gaze only served to discompose her further. She was not so far gone, however, that she failed to notice Daphne elbowing Lady Emily in the ribs, grinning in obvious pleasure at the response to their efforts.

“Ladies,” he greeted, bowing low. “Thank you for joining me, and Miss Ariadne too! What a welcome surprise. We’re just waiting for her ladyship before we can go in to dinner.

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