The Wagered Heart: Signet Regency Romance (InterMix) by Rhonda Woodward Read Free Book Online Page B

of Caro’s friends and found that she liked her cousin’s husband more than she thought she would. Lord Farren was the epitome of politeness, and cut quite a dashing figure with his tall, slim figure and boyish shock of blond hair.
    He had apologized profusely at dinner the first night for not being there to greet her when she arrived.
    “You see, my mother has been unwell, and she quite depends on me to attend her occasionally,” he had explained with an offhand air.
    Julia had dismissed his concern and assured him that she understood. But she noticed the harried glances he often threw to Caro and wondered if hercousin’s husband was more aware of his wife’s ire than he let on.
    A knock at the door interrupted her reflections, and Harper, her maid, entered. She carried a gown draped across her outstretched arms.
    “The creases came out completely, miss,” Harper stated with satisfaction as she laid the rose pink evening dress across the bed.
    Turning sideways on her vanity chair, Julia was pleased to see the silk was indeed void of wrinkles. It was one of her favorite gowns, and she loved the dozens of seed pearls embroidered into the little puffed sleeves. She felt the gown gave her an air of elegance, and had decided earlier that it would be the perfect choice to make her first appearance in Bath society.
    She smiled at the maid in appreciation. “Thank you, Harper.”
    Turning back to the mirror, she picked up a pair of seed pearl earbobs and affixed them to her lobes. Harper went to the wardrobe on the other side of the pretty, spacious bedchamber and began collecting the slippers, shawl, and reticule to complete Julia’s ensemble.
    “I hope I am not in danger of being late.” Julia took a piece of chamois and carefully dipped it into a little pot of finely milled French powder and pressed it to her nose and forehead.
    “No, miss, you have time enough to get ready at your leisure,” Harper said as she finished laying out the accessories.
    Julia did take her time with her toilette. A little while later, when she was dressed and Harper was putting the final touches on her upswept hair, Julia was quite satisfied with her appearance.
    After bidding farewell to her maid, she left the bedchamber to meet her cousin in the foyer. She wasgiving her gloves a last tug when she heard the deep tones of a masculine voice.
    Looking down into the foyer below, Julia was surprised to see Lord Farren, resplendent in evening dress, waiting with his wife. Caro looked up and smiled her delight at Julia.
    “Look! My Lord Farren has decided to escort us this evening! Is that not gallant of him?”
    With an answering smile, Julia completed her descent. When she reached the bottom of the stairs, she could not help noticing Lord Farren’s flushed cheeks as he greeted her. His wife’s profuse praise had embarrassed him, she surmised with secret amusement.
    “I shall be lauded the luckiest fellow in Bath to be in the company of two Incomparables,” he stated.
    Julia curtsied in response to his compliment. The butler then made the pronouncement that the carriage had been brought around.
    Following Caro and Clive out to the front steps, Julia felt her pulse begin to quicken. She had to admit that she was rather excited at the prospect of dancing in a ballroom. The assemblies and impromptu dances in Chippenham were smallish affairs, and she had not been in London long enough to attend any large parties, so this evening would be a new experience.
    Settling in across from the Farrens as the coach set off, Julia smiled as Caro chattered away. It was obvious that she was inordinately pleased with her husband’s company. Julia was happy for her cousin and hoped that this would be the beginning of a new closeness for the newly wed couple.
    Some minutes later, Julia looked out the window, and saw a line of carriages pulling up to the elegant, understated entryway of the establishment. Despite her impatience, she resisted the urge to get