Read Online A Proper Companion by Candice Hern - Free Book Online Page A

have
everything ready in ten days. She also happened to have a simple
evening half dress already made up for another customer who had
changed her mind at the last moment. With the most minor
adjustments, the gown fit Emily perfectly, so that she was able to
take it with her. To Emily's amazement, the dowager informed her
that this new wardrobe would take her through perhaps their first
week in Town, and that many more dresses would be required for the
remainder of the Season. The dowager intended to make a visit to
Madame Cécile's soon after their arrival in Town.
    Lady Bradleigh then tugged Emily along Milsom Street
to shop for slippers and half-boots to match the new dresses, as
well as gloves, stockings, bonnets, reticules, and undergarments.
Emily was self-conscious about the expense but kept her own
counsel. When the carriage at last deposited the two ladies back at
Laura Place, two footmen were required to carry in the band boxes
and packages.
    It was a typical at-home afternoon at Laura Place,
with the drawing room crowded with friends and admirers come to pay
court to Lady Bradleigh, who was something of an institution in
Bath Society. Sir Percy Whittaker was among the callers and did his
best to pluck Emily from the background. She was staunch, however,
in maintaining her position against the wall, and Sir Percy was
forced to join her there in order to have conversation with her.
Most other callers simply nodded to Emily in polite acknowledgment
while she maintained her place and made no move to join in the
general conversation.
    After the last caller had departed, the dowager,
Lord Bradleigh, and Emily remained in the drawing room, drinking
fresh tea and reviewing the day. The fast banter between the
dowager and her grandson, as they discussed each of the departed
guests with wicked amusement, had Emily in tears of laughter. She
had never seen anyone match wits so well with her sharp-tongued
employer. And she had never seen the dowager so enjoy herself. It
was clear that the two had a very close, very special
relationship.
    When the discussion reached Sir Percy Whittaker,
Robert began teasing Emily about her conquest. "It is clear the man
is besotted with you, Miss Townsend. When are you going to put him
out of his misery?" he asked, grinning at Emily.
    "Sir Percy is merely a good friend, my lord," she
replied shyly, "nothing more. Our conversations generally go no
further than a discussion of his latest novel."
    "You can forget about Whittaker, Robert," the
dowager interjected. "We can do better than that. We have spent the
morning with Madame Dubois, preparing a new wardrobe for Emily. I
have no doubt that her new look will have gentlemen falling at her
feet. More interesting specimens than Sir Percy, you can be
sure."
    Emily stared at the dowager in astonishment.
    Robert flashed her a roguish grin. "Yes, I can think
of several gentlemen of my acquaintance who might be willing to
oblige."
    Emily suddenly sat up even straighter than usual,
and she felt her jaw tighten as she tried to hang on to her
composure. She studied her two smiling companions with narrowed
eyes. "Excuse me," she said very quietly, "but if I am correct in
sensing there is matchmaking afoot, I beg you to leave me out of
it." She turned stiffly to face the dowager. "My lady, I very
reluctantly accepted your generous offer of a new wardrobe because
I thought—"
    "Yes, yes, my girl," the dowager interrupted, "the
new wardrobe's purpose was exactly as I stated it to you. I simply
required that you appear more fashionable when you accompany me to
Town. However," she continued as she flicked a nonexistent piece of
lint from her sleeve, "if it also results in drawing eligible
admirers to your notice, then I will be doubly pleased."
    "Oh, dear," Emily said, her voice cracking in her
distress. She could no longer look either of her companions in the
eye. Anger and fear immobilized her. These people had lived in the
highest echelons of wealth and