Splendid by Julia Quinn Read Free Book Online Page B

would look favorably upon your going out alone dressed as a maid. Still, the situation is most amusing. I can’t believe Sophie gave you jewels to secure your future. Why, with your fortune, you could buy and sell us all.”
    â€œHardly,” Emma said dryly, pointedly glancing at the string of pearls draped around Belle’s throat. “Besides, she did think I was a maid.”
    â€œI know, I know. Still, it’s just too funny. I do wish that Sophie were coming tonight. I’d love to see her face when she walked into the ballroom and saw the ‘ scullery maid’ decked out in all her finery.”
    â€œReally, Belle, that’s positively cruel of you. The countess was very distraught this afternoon. She nearly lost her son.”
    â€œ You’re calling me cruel? You, the queen of all practical jokesters? The same girl who sent poor Ned a fake love note from Clarissa Trent?”
    Emma tried to suppress a mischievous grin. “Really, it needn’t have been such a big fuss.”
    â€œYou’re absolutely correct,” Belle stated with noticeable sarcasm. “And it wouldn’t have been, not if Ned hadn’t been hopelessly infatuated with the chit.”
    Emma looked away innocently. “Well, how was I to know that? I haven’t made my debut yet, you know. I’m not privy to the latest gossip.”
    â€œHe only mentioned her name a hundred times a day.”
    Emma “humphed” and gave her cousin a supercilious look. “Really, it all worked out for the best. Now we all know what a conniving little you-know-what Clarissa is. When it comes right down to it, I saved your brother from a terrible fate.”
    â€œI suppose,” Belle conceded, “but Ned was so heartbroken when he professed his love for her, and she flatly stated she was holding out for a duke with lots of money.”
    â€œI think he was more upset that she wasn’t the paragon he’d imagined her to be than he was because she didn’t return his feelings. But enough of that. I’ve learned my lesson—no more interference in Ned’s romantic life. Even if I am doing the right thing. So tell me, why isn’t Sophie coming tonight?”
    â€œI’m not sure. Probably because her husband is away on business in the West Indies for a few months. I think she misses him. It was a love match, you know.” Belle sighed romantically.
    â€œIt’s probably for the best—even if you do have to miss seeing her shocked face. She’d get the surprise of her life if she saw me tonight. I’m sure it will be easier for everyone if I simply call on her tomorrow morning.”
    â€œYou’re probably right. Do say I can go with you, though. I so want to be there when she sees you.”
    â€œFine, fine, of course you can—Ouch!” Emma hollered as Meg tugged on her hair a little too vigorously.
    â€œQuit your complaining, Miss Emma,” Meg scolded. “It takes hard work and a little bit of pain to be beautiful.”
    â€œGoodness! If it’s going to require that much pain, I really don’t need to be beautiful. Just leave my hair down. It’s much more comfortable that way.”
    Meg looked agonized. “I couldn’t do that. It’s not at all fashionable.”
    â€œOh, all right, do whatever you like with it, Meg.Just try to keep the discomfort at a minimum.”
    Belle laughed. “Oh, Emma, I don’t know how you’re going to make it through an entire season.”
    â€œI don’t know, either. I can never seem to remember how to be correct.”
    â€œStop shaking your head!” Meg yelled. “Else we’ll be here all night, and you’ll miss the ball.”
    â€œWith the way my head hurts, that wouldn’t be such a bad thing,” Emma muttered.
    â€œDid you say something?” Belle asked absently.
    â€œIt was nothing.” Emma didn’t want Belle to know how