A Talent for Trouble by Jen Turano Read Free Book Online Page B

languishing at their summer homes, enjoying the sun and sea, so they won’t even be in attendance.”
    â€œOh, please, this is a Beckett ball. Everyone will come back to enjoy it.” Agatha planted her hands on her hips. “All the sticklers for propriety will be there, and I can guarantee you that the talk of the evening won’t center on the fact that Zayne is finally going off to join his soon-to-be fiancée, Miss Helena Collins. No, talk will center on you, no matter your proclamation in regard to your spinster status. Honestly, Felicia, spinsters don’t wear bright red gowns, and they certainly don’t possess a remarkable figure such as yours—a figure, I must add, that no one is even aware you possess.”
    â€œThe gown I wore yesterday afternoon showed off my figure” was all Felicia could think to respond.
    Agatha arched a brow. “Did it?”
    â€œYou didn’t notice?”
    â€œForgive me, but I was more concerned regarding your mood, and over the fact that Grayson was so obviously put out with you. I didn’t happen to notice the curves you’ve been hiding for years.”
    â€œGrayson might have noticed.”
    Agatha’s mouth went slack. “He did?”
    â€œHe was rendered somewhat mute when he first saw me at myhouse, and then, when he did speak, his voice was remarkably high.” She bit her lip. “Although, he might simply have been surprised I was wearing two different shoes, my hair looked like a rat’s nest, and I told him and my mother I was going to be Clara for the rest of the day.”
    â€œAh, hmm” was all Agatha seemed capable of saying for a moment. She crossed her arms over her chest. “I can’t fathom why you’d declare yourself a Clara for a day, but an explanation regarding that troubling matter will have to wait.” She tilted her head. “Tell me, was your decision to purchase a red gown influenced at all by what Grayson might think?”
    Needing a moment to craft a response to that rather uncomfortable question, Felicia headed toward a mirror hanging on the wall and took a moment to secure her new hat on her head. For a second she admired its navy base paired with a single white ribbon wrapped around the body and not one bow in sight, but then she heard the sound of Agatha’s toe tapping all too impatiently on the floor and forced herself to turn, having no idea how to reply.
    Had the thought of Grayson and how he might react to seeing her in the red gown come to mind the moment she’d spotted the gown hanging on a dress form?
    Yes, it had, but she didn’t understand why, nor had she taken the time to ponder the matter, which meant she wasn’t prepared to discuss it with Agatha.
    She loved the lady dearly, had enjoyed getting to know her better the past year, but Agatha was a meddler—everyone knew that. If Agatha discovered she was even remotely attracted to Grayson—not that she was admitting she was—well, that would simply never do.
    â€œI think Grayson’s interested in you.”
    Felicia blinked rapidly out of her thoughts. “Come again?”
    â€œHe allowed you to drive his prized horses.”
    â€œWhat does that have to do with anything?”
    â€œEliza told me he’s never trusted a woman with the reins.”
    â€œNor will he ever do so again, judging by his reaction to my driving.”
    Agatha’s eyes turned cunning. “It was quite chivalrous of him to escort you yesterday over to Eliza’s—very telling, don’t you think?”
    â€œThere was nothing telling about it,” Felicia argued. “You and Eliza badgered him into it, and don’t even think about arguing that point.”
    â€œThere was only a small amount of badgering involved, and perhaps a bit of toe stomping.” She smiled but then sobered. “You need to reconsider your gown choice for the ball.”
    â€œIt’s a