The Viscount's Counterfeit Wife by J. Jade Jordan

Author:J. Jade Jordan [Jordan, J. Jade]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2014-07-18T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-One

“Good evening, Mademoiselle Lawton. You’re looking très belle.”

“Mr. Dubuc. How kind of you to say so.” Tally was surprised to be greeted by Victor Dubuc the moment she entered her sister’s home this evening. Had he been waiting for her to arrive, she wondered, because he immediately offered her his arm and lead her into Venetia’s ballroom. She was flattered that such a beautiful — there was no other word for his beatific good looks — and elegant man wished to escort her. Or had her sister asked him to attend her?

“The Countess and the Earl have done themselves proud this evening,” her escort said.

She still found it odd to hear her sister referred to as a Countess. She had never been in Venetia’s London home before, and was surprised by the understated, classical elegance of it. She was amazed her sister hadn’t succeeded in bullying her husband, Frederick Pallister, the Earl of Hargrave, into adopting a more modern concept. She doffed her proverbial hat to her brother-in-law’s strength of will to have resisted what she knew must have been a veritable campaign launched by Venetia to “improve” their home.

“Darling! You’ve arrived!” Swept into her eldest sister’s arms, she was almost overpowered by the scent of Venetia’s potent perfume. Straight from Paris, Tally was certain. Nothing but the best for her family, damn the cost!

She immediately felt ashamed of her carping attitude. Here was Venetia, going all out for her and she was busy finding fault.

“I see Mr. Dubuc has found you already.”

“I was just about to ask your sister to dance,” he told Venetia.

“Oh, you’re having dancing. I didn’t realize...” Tally looked around and realized there were far more people than she had expected. She’d thought this was going to be a much smaller affair given its belated nature. As for dancing, she was pleased about that. She’d worried it would be mainly standing around talking, followed by a late supper. She should have known better. When had anyone in her family ever done anything on a small scale?

“I’m calling it a soiree, like a smaller, less formal ball,” Venetia explained. She cast a coy look at Mr. Dubuc. “And, by all means, you may ask my sister to dance. I’ll give you the chance to... become better acquainted, shall I, before introducing her to some of the other guests?”

For goodness sake! Did Venetia have to be so obvious?

“May I have the pleasure of this dance, Mademoiselle?” He bowed. “You do dance the waltz?”

Embarrassed by her sister’s obvious machinations, she replied, “Yes, although I have only done so at family gatherings.” What else could she do now but accept? The poor man must be wishing himself miles away from her family and their brazen matchmaking. He’d probably find an excuse to flee as soon as this courtesy dance was over.

“Then we should do fine. After all, this is just a family gathering, although a rather grand one.” He smiled and winked, inviting her to join in his gentle mockery.

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