The Wedding Dress by Rachel Hauck Read Free Book Online Page B

not observe when they were in his carriage alone.
    Emily leaned into him, though Daniel’s soapy scent and brawny strength flashed across her mind. She lifted her head as her fingers squeezed Phillip’s narrow arms and cleared her throat. “You smell like the fancy perfume shops.”
    “A fragrance I bought when I was in Paris last year. Do you like it?”
    “It’s you, Phillip. Very rich.” Though she preferred the single clean scent of Daniel’s lye soap.
    “Well”—Father cleared his throat and came from around his desk—“I need to place a call to the office. Excuse me.”
    Emily watched Father leave, a sinking sensation dragging her heart through her stomach. Once the library door clapped closed, Phillip hooked Emily to him, tilting her chin up and kissing her lips. When he lifted his head, he nodded toward Father’s desk. “Shall we tell him the telephone is in here?”
    Emily squeezed his hand. “I think he knows.” What was going on? Father leaving her alone with Phillip. His ardent kiss . . .
    Leading her to the window seat, Phillip brushed his fingers lightly along Emily’s jaw. “You are so beautiful.”
    “I’m a sight. I planned to change my dress and redo my hair before you arrived.” She leaned away from his hand, which sent waves of shivers coursing through her. It was as if he knew, knew , how to touch her.
    “I like your hair down. You must wear it like that for me.” Phillip trailed his finger over her chin and down her neck, stoking the small flame he ignited. “I never asked you, how was the suffrage meeting?”
    “It was—” Emily swallowed, scooting an inch away from his fingertip. What if Father returned to find her flushed and panting? Besides, all Phillip’s touching . . . kissing her nose . . . and the side of her lips. His movements were calculated and cunning.
    “The meeting was . . . splendid. Yes, splendid.” She jumped up, shoving the perspiration on her forehead into her hair. “It’s . . . it’s warm today, is it not?” If he continued touching her that way, she’d melt into a passion puddle on the floor.
    Mother had raised her to be a controlled, reserved gentlewoman. What would Phillip think of her if she surrendered so easily to his advances?
    “I’m sorry, I’m making you nervous.”
    “You’re terrifying me, Phillip. I’m trying to be a lady, but even a cultured Christian woman can only stand so much.”
    “And a man can only stand so much. ’Tis why I’ve come.” He reached for her and drew her back down to the bench seat, cupping her face, searching her eyes. “I’ve asked your father for your hand.” He bent down to one knee.
    “Oh, Phillip.” Emily pressed her hands to her chest, anticipation surging through her veins. “I’m wearing an ordinary day gown and—”
    “I found this in a Paris shop last fall. The moment I laid eyes on it, I knew it would be for my intended. But I didn’t know who yet.” Phillip retrieved a small wooden box from his jacket pocket. “Then I escorted you to the Black and White Ball. By evening’s end, I knew I’d marry you.”
    Nestled in the silk bed was a square-cut solitaire surrounded by smaller diamonds. The setting was an intricate, sparkling lattice weave.
    “Platinum, my dear. The diamond is an Edwardian cut surrounded by solitaires.” Phillip held up the ring. The extravagant stones soaked up the light and splashed a rainbow against the wall. And over Emily’s heart.
    “I can barely breathe.”
    “Emily Canton, will you marry me?” Phillip slipped his ring of promise onto her finger.
    “Yes, oh yes, Phillip.” She fell against him, and when he lifted her up in his arms, all the doubts, all the memories of Daniel, escaped through her heart’s open door.
     
    The grandfather clock in the foyer chimed the last moments of midnight. Emily leaned against the front door as it clicked closed, a bit of stardust in her eyes.
    She was engaged. To Phillip Saltonstall. He was so sweet and