Colors of a Lady by Chelsea Roston Read Free Book Online Page A

would
mention how excited she was that her aunt was coming to stay. Her
eyes would light up in genuine delight.
    “Not so. My preparations were rushed in
coming here, so I had no time to dispatch a letter to her. I plan
on sending a note to my brother once I am settled.”
    “It is up to me to keep this a secret
then.”
    “If you would not mind. I should like some
time before I am ensconced into London Society again.”
    “Understandable.”
    Lucille watched the young man carefully. He
fiddled with the collar of his coat. He appeared to be considering
some matter. There was a grin growing on his lips as if he had just
thought of the single most brilliant idea ever.
    “I have a proposition for you and it
concerns your niece...”
    “Do go on. I am listening.” She waited,
listening to his suggestion. Lord Hartwell was very pleased with
the plan he was concocting and Lucille herself was amused at the
prospect. She was also glad that Lord Sheridan secured such a kind
man for Emma's hand in marriage. Though Emma's note to her was full
of regret at being given her sister's leftovers, the man himself
seemed resigned and even elated with his soon-to-be bride.
    “What a grand idea! I would be happy to do
so.”
    “Wonderful! I must take my leave now, Lady
Wren, but I will call upon you at a later time.” He bowed to
Lucille in parting, before carrying on his way. He passed by a pair
of ladies and tipped his hat to them. They giggled away, whispering
behind gloved hands. Their whispers grew louder as they reached
Lucille.
    “What a fine figure of a man!” The taller
one gushed to her friend. She was built like a beanpole, all this
height and no figure to show for it. Her friend was short and
barely looked out of the school-room though she could have been
Lucille's age. It was hard to tell.
    “What a shame he is marry Lord Sheridan's
younger daughter. She is pretty, no doubt, but she lacks in
excitement, do you not think so?”
    “Perhaps they were childhood sweethearts. He
had to get married eventually, right? And we are far too old for
him.”
    “What a pity. One of us should have snagged
His Grace while we still could. Oh, those were the days though,
weren't they?”
    The two sighed in mutual nostalgia. It left
Lucille just as nostalgic, her mind floating back to the happy days
of dances and flirting. Perhaps she had even exchanged pleasantries
with that pair. It was wholly possible though Duke Kellaway was
married by the time she had come out. His wife was a pretty woman
and the daughter of a viscount. It was not the best match for him,
but he was a terribly wealthy duke. There was little anyone could
say to him at that time save the King.
    Lucille did not enjoy nostalgia but it came
in waves. All it did was remind her of the choices she had made in
her life. Some were good and yet others were bad. She did not
regret any of them however. That was life, was it not? One could
not dwell on the mistakes and expect to live happily.
    Lady Wren looked up and down the street.
There was no one there. Yet she felt that peculiar prickle as if
some person was studying her. But, the area was deserted save her
servants. Lucille smoothed her pelisse and hurried up the stairs
into her lodgings.
     
    Emma’s feet ached desperately. She curtsied
shakily to her latest dance partner. She had never danced so much
in her life! It had been a few weeks since she was taken off the
marriage market through her betrothal. But this seemed to incite
the bucks even more for she had never been more popular. She had
naturally danced with Lord Hartwell at the beginning and then he
had claimed every second dance after that. She was exhausted and
the air in Almack’s was suffocating.
    She spotted Lettice standing near the
refreshments, sipping on some watery lemonade. Her pale blue eyes
were watching the dancers closely as if searching for a smile or a
touch that would indicate a secret entendre. The frown on her face
showed that noting as such had