The Night We Kissed by Laurie Brown

Author:Laurie Brown [Brown, Laurie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Zebra Books
Published: 2013-10-01T00:00:00+00:00

“Is he here yet?” Emily said, her voice muffled as she donned yet another outfit.

“No,” Cordelia said from the window seat in Emily’s bedroom. She turned to face her sister. “Relax. It could be another half hour before he arrives. You can probably change outfits two or three more times.”

“Don’t be looking at me. Keep watch out the window.”

Cordelia curled up in the window seat and peered down at the front door, below her to the right. “I don’t know why you’re so nervous. He’ll be so glad to see you, he won’t even notice what you’re wearing,” she said over her shoulder.

“How do I look?”

“Does that mean I can turn around?”

“Don’t be a ninny. I need your help. Now, how do I look?”

Cordelia swung her legs off the seat, and faced her sister, who wore her cream muslin sprigged with embroidered violets. “Lovely, but isn’t it a little tight around the waist?”

“Only if I breathe,” Emily said with a wry smile.

“Not very practical.”

“Fashion rarely considers a woman’s comfort.”

“You don’t want to faint at his feet.”

“True. Although it would solve the dilemma of what to say when we first meet again after so many months. Swooning is time-tested and effective.”

“You won’t need any artifice to gain his embrace.”

“Maybe yes, maybe no.” Emily pirouetted in front of the mirror. “Good afternoon, Lord Dandridge. Nice weather we’re having. By the way, we’re to be married today.” Her shoulders drooped. “What if he’s forgotten all about me? It has been months since we last met. What if . . .” She pulled a lacy handkerchief from her sleeve and dabbed at her eyes. “I don’t know what I’ll do if he doesn’t want to marry me.”

This was a different side of Emily than Cordelia was used to seeing. Her sister was usually so confident, so self-assured. Emily might dither over a bonnet or a pair of gloves, but she’d never expressed any doubts concerning her appeal to the opposite sex. Cordelia rose to give her sister a hug.

“Of course he’ll want to marry you. You’re the most beautiful woman in the state of Georgia, and London, too. You could have had your pick of dozens of men, and yet you chose Ernest. He should be grateful. He should be the one worried about what you’ll say to him.”

Emily gave her a tremulous smile. “Thank you. I—”

Cordelia heard a carriage and dashed to the window. She could only see the tops of their hats, but two men disembarked. “It’s them.”

“He’s here.” Emily looked around with a panicked expression, as if seeking an escape route. “What am I going do? What should I say?”

“You’ll be fine. You look absolutely ravishing, and Ernest is a lucky man.”

“Where’s my shawl? And the brooch he gave me? My reticule? I may need my smelling salts.”

“You’re wearing the brooch. Here’s your reticule, and it’s so warm you won’t need a wrap. I’ll go down first so you can make a grand entrance.”

“No.” Emily shivered and she clutched Cordelia’s arm. “Let’s go down together.

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