The Bewitched Baron by Collum Lynn

Author:Collum, Lynn
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2014-08-18T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Four

The following evening a knock sounded on Naomi’s door as she sat at her dressing table, putting the finishing touches on her hair for the ball. She had used tiny artificial daisies through her dark curls to match her yellow silk gown. A fleeting thought of how his lordship would react when he saw her flashed through her mind. She shook her head in frustration at her continued fascination with the gentleman, then turned and called for the visitor to enter.

Marion stepped into the room, quite lovely in a pink silk gown with white lace at the bodice and sleeves. A small rouleau with tiny white roses was just above her hem. There was a twinkle of excitement in her eyes that Naomi had never before seen and she suspected that her spell was beginning to take effect.

“Are you ready? We mustn’t keep Mr. Edmonds waiting.” Marion stepped up behind her friend and peered at her reflection for a moment then seemed satisfied. “Guess who is coming to the ball?”

Naomi knew who she hoped. “Your brother?”

“Wyn!” Marion laughed. “Not unless the hostess is displaying some exotic plants on the dance floor. He hates such affairs. `Tis Sir Charles Amberson.” She said the name with mock emphasis to show how unimpressed she was with the young man. “Grandmama had a letter from Lady Amberson this very day. I think she was hoping that grandmother would take him under her wing and open doors for him. Not that it matters since Charlie isn’t likely to be a nonpareil.”

Naomi smiled at the memory of their old friend. After Sunday services when they were children, she, Marion and Charlie had played tag behind the church while the adults stood about and talked. It was harmless fun, but the games had come to an abrupt end when Charlie knocked over a gravestone which brought their illicit game to the notice of the adults. He had been quite clumsy, no doubt due to his girth.

“I thought he was still in the Peninsula with Wellington.” Naomi grabbed her beaded reticule and rose ready to go down to the drawing room. She had never been able to envision their lumbering friend a soldier but then she hadn’t seen him after he’d been sent to Harrow for his schooling.

“He sold out after his father died last year. Hurry, we don’t want to be late. I have a feeling about tonight. I think I am going to meet someone special.”

Naomi and Audric exchanged an amused glance before she called to him to be a good boy, then headed downstairs. They found Mr. Edmonds and the dowager awaiting them. Naomi had secretly harbored the hope that his lordship would change his mind and accompany them, but to her disappointment, he was nowhere to be seen. They set out for the ball in Mr. Esmonds’ carriage, a splendid town coach which did much to raise the gentleman’s stock in Lady Newlyn’s eyes.

Like many of the early balls of the season, the affair was a crush.

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